'Poor quality' university courses could face fines under new proposal
They could also be investigated or have their access to student loan money restricted
Universities and colleges offering 'poor quality' courses are set to face tough regulation and fines under new proposals from the Office for Students (OfS).
In order for a course to qualify as above the threshold of 'poor quality', at least 80% of students should continue studying into their second year of an undergraduate degree.
Further to this, at least 75% should finish their degree, and 60% should go on to further study or professional employment .
Universities not meeting the thresholds in this new proposal could be considered 'poor quality' and face fines, investigation or have their access to student loan funds restricted.
Reportedly, teaching will also be rated in categories of gold, silver, bronze and 'requires improvement'. These ratings will be published on the UCAS and DiscoverUni websites.
The purpose behind this proposal, stated in a recent consultation, is to allegedly prevent students from receiving a 'performance that is below our minimum expectations', given they 'are likely to be paying substantial sums'.
Universities who do not see ratings improve could be forced to charge less
Universities that did not take part in the TEF, had their rating suspended, or were rated as “requires improvement” would not be able to charge as much money.
Some respondents to the OfS’ November 2020 consultation said the “proposals would unfairly disadvantage providers with high proportions of students from disadvantaged backgrounds”.
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Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the OfS, said: “These proposals mark a landmark moment in our work to tackle poor quality provision in English higher education.
“Students from all backgrounds deserve to be on good courses leading to qualifications which stand the test of time and prepare them well for life after graduation.
“Many universities and colleges in England run high quality courses that deliver positive outcomes for students. The thresholds that we have proposed will not affect them.
“They are instead designed to target those poor quality courses and outcomes which are letting students down and don’t reflect students’ ambition and effort.”
Ms Dandridge said the proposals are likely to “generate significant debate” and that the OfS will consider consultation responses before a final decision is made.
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Higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan said students “deserve an education that will help them achieve their dreams”, adding: “We need to crack down on those universities that are not delivering this ambition.”
She said: “Our university system is acclaimed as world class but there are too many pockets of poor quality.
The news comes after Universities UK published a new framework for tackling low quality degrees on Monday.