A consultation launched by the Office for Students (OfS) today
[Tuesday 17 November] sets out initial proposals to raise the bar
on quality and standards in higher education. The measures will
help ensure that students from all backgrounds can access high
quality courses which leave them well prepared for life after
graduation.
The proposals would not only raise expected standards for all
universities and colleges, but will also enable effective and
robust action when quality slips in particular subjects or for
different groups of students.
Subject to the results of the consultation, the OfS plans to set
new, more challenging, regulatory requirements for student
outcomes, ensuring that more students, particularly those from
groups underrepresented in higher education, progress to the end
of their courses and on to graduate-level work or higher-level
study.
The proposals also include new definitions of quality and
standards which set out what universities, colleges and other
higher education providers would need to do to satisfy the OfS’s
conditions of registration. These new definitions, and the other
proposals set out in the consultation, are designed to provide a
minimum level of protection for all students – whatever and
however they are studying – at every university and other higher
education provider registered by the OfS.
Commenting on the proposals, Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of
the Office for Students, said:
‘The higher education sector in England has an international
reputation for high quality and our job as the sector’s regulator
is to ensure this continues to be the case. When students embark
on their studies, they are right to expect a high-quality course
which provides intellectual challenge and the skills needed for a
successful career. Students should be provided with the teaching,
support and resources they need to take advantage of the
life-changing opportunities that higher education offers.
‘These proposals strengthen our ability to intervene where we
have concerns. We have previously been clear that we are
determined to stamp out any pockets of low quality, and these
proposals would not only raise the bar in terms of the quality
overall, but would enable us to monitor quality at a subject
level, as well as taking into account issues which might be
affecting students from particular groups.
‘We are also making it clear that we do not accept that
expectations should be lowered for students from disadvantaged
backgrounds. All students are entitled to the same minimum level
of quality and outcomes, and it would be untenable to have a
regulatory system which allowed universities to recruit students
from underrepresented groups but then set lower expectations for
their success.
‘Our plans – and the more detailed proposals we will set out
subject to the results of this consultation – would allow the OfS
to continue to investigate any concerns we have about quality and
standards. We will be able to use our full range of powers if we
consider that any of our registration conditions are breached.
‘In setting out these proposals, we recognise the ongoing impact
of coronavirus on universities, colleges and higher education
providers, and of course on students. We have been clear that we
expect good quality teaching and clear information for students
about course changes to continue throughout the pandemic. We will
draw on our experience of regulating through the pandemic in our
future regulation of quality and standards.
‘We remain extremely mindful of the need to ensure proportionate
regulatory burden. Universities and other higher education
providers offering high quality higher education across the board
will find that our proposed approach to quality places minimal
regulatory burden on them.’
The consultation is taking place at an early stage in policy
development so that as wide a range of reviews as possible can be
taken into account before we consult on more detailed proposals
in 2021.
For more information contact Sean Beynon on 0117 905 7676 or
email press@officeforstudents.org.uk
ENDS
Notes
- The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of
higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student,
whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher
education that enriches their lives and careers.
- The consultation is open from 17 November 2020 to 12 January
2021.
- A copy of the consultation document is attached. It will be
published on the OfS website at 0001 on Tuesday 17 November.
