Bournemouth University (BU) would need to charge tuition fees between £7,000 and £10,000 to keep up its current standards.

That was the implication of a warning from University Alliance, which represents 23 “business focused” universities, including BU.

Director Libby Aston said: “We certainly know many students in the Alliance are on courses that cost between £7,000 and £10,000.

“Obviously if graduate contributions are much below that, then we are going to have to reduce the quality of our courses, and no student wants that.”

BU Vice chancellor John Vinney has pledged to keep up its educational standards, which suggests its fees – or graduate contributions, as universities prefer to call them – may be significantly above the £6,000 base level.

The Daily Echo understands BU is considering fees of £8,000 or more but no announcement has yet been made.

BU is due to get a letter from the Higher Educational Funding Council on its funding levels and how much they will be cut.

BU’s board has already discussed the level of its privately and has until April 19 to submit its proposals for approval.

The university would like to be able to tell students arriving for the June open days how much they will pay – but cannot guarantee it.

The government claims there is no reason for most universities to charge more than £6,000 and fees of £9,000 should only be charged in exceptional circumstances.

A spokesman for BU said: “Bournemouth University is currently in discussions to decide the level of graduate contribution it plans to enact from the 2012 academic year, in accordance with recommendations from the Office of Fair Access.

“The outcomes of those discussions will ensure that BU meets the costs of providing the highest quality student experience whilst continuing to invest in sustaining the excellence and standards of its courses.

“The university will also seek to provide support for students from less well off backgrounds so they will not be disadvantaged.”