The Office for Students (OfS) is consulting on new regulation to
protect quality and standards in higher education in England. The
new requirements will allow the OfS to intervene more frequently
in universities and colleges where courses fall below
expectations and require improvement.
The proposals would give the OfS sharper regulatory tools to
tackle artificial grade inflation and to take robust action where
the quality of higher education slips at a particular university
– including where courses in certain subjects or for particular
groups of students do not meet minimum requirements.
The OfS consulted on the broad principles of its approach to
quality and standards in higher education over the winter.
Today’s consultation proposes new detailed conditions of
registration for quality and standards. All universities and
other higher education providers must meet these conditions to
remain registered. These conditions – ‘the B Conditions’ –
consist of:
· New condition B1 which would mandate a high quality academic
experience, where courses are up-to-date, effectively delivered,
provide educational challenge, and equip students with the skills
they need to succeed after they graduate.
· New condition B2 which would require that all students receive
the resources and support they need to succeed during their
course and beyond.
· New condition B4 which would require universities and colleges
to ensure students are assessed effectively, and receive credible
qualifications that stand the test of time.
· New condition B5 which would ensure that the standards of
courses are consistent with sector-recognised standards.
Each of these conditions sets out clear minimum requirements that
would apply to all higher education courses at all levels.
The OfS’s approach to the regulation of minimum requirements for
student outcomes will be the subject of a separate further
consultation in the autumn.
Explaining today’s proposals, Lord Wharton, chair of the OfS
said:
“Our proposals signal an important step change in the way the OfS
regulates quality and standards. They set out clearly the
requirements we consider necessary to protect the significant
investment of students and taxpayers in higher education. They
also provide the platform for us to intervene robustly and
confidently where we see evidence of poor quality.
“Higher education courses must challenge students and equip them
with the skills they need for a successful career. Students from
all backgrounds must be supported to succeed without lower
expectations for their academic achievement. The qualifications
awarded by universities must be credible to the public, with no
suggestion that students and employers are being short-changed by
grade inflation. Our proposals are designed to ensure this is the
case.
“Many universities and colleges offer excellent courses and
protect standards. These proposals are not targeted at them and
they should experience minimal regulatory burden as a result.
“But we see too many examples that cause concern. Students tell
us about courses that are not delivered well, where necessary
resources aren’t available, and assessment isn’t clear or fair.
Published data tells us that employment outcomes can vary
significantly for students studying the same subject at different
providers. The regulator must be able to investigate these
concerns and we will do so vigorously. Where our requirements
aren’t being met we will be unapologetic about using our
statutory enforcement powers and explaining publicly the action
we have taken.
“The international reputation of English higher education,
whether courses are delivered in the UK or internationally, is
underpinned by strong and transparent regulation. It is in the
interests of all universities and colleges that there is public
confidence in their important work, We look forward to hearing
their views, and those of other stakeholders, on our proposals."
Universities Minister said:
“High quality provision in a range of subjects enables every
student to feel confident that their higher education course will
help improve their life outcomes and lead to successful careers
in their chosen professions.
“Our manifesto commitment is to drive up standards for all so I
welcome the Office for Students' consultation on regulating
quality and standards which sets out foundations for driving up
quality. We are clear this needs to lead to real results for
students and universities. This work will go hand in hand with
our plans to consult on further reforms to the higher education
system, which we will be setting out in more detail in due
course.”
ENDS
Notes
1. The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator for
higher education in England. Our aim is to ensure that every
student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience
of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
2. The consultation runs from 20 July 2021 to 27 September 2021.
3. The OfS is publishing the following documents – embargoed
copies are attached - on 20 July:
- The consultation document, which includes the draft
conditions in Annex A
- An analysis of our phase one consultation
- Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF):
Update on the development of proposals for the future exercise.
