Students starting university from September 2019 are set to
have more choice than ever before about how they study
after MPs approved legislation to support the expansion of
two-year and other accelerated degrees.
Legislation was passed in the Commons last night, following
proposals from the Department for Education, which means
students studying shorter university courses – such as
three-year courses condensed into two – would save 20 per
cent on tuition fees compared to traditional courses. For
example, students who opt for a two-year degree will save
at least £5,500 in total tuition costs compared to a
standard three-year course. The regulations will now go to
the House of Lords for approval.
In addition to a saving on tuition fees, students will also
benefit from a year without paying any maintenance costs
through an accelerated course, which would allow them to
access the workforce quicker.
Accelerated degrees have been a key part of the
Government’s ambition to maximise choice and flexibility
for people wanting to study in higher education, and are
expected to remove barriers for a number of
underrepresented groups, including mature students.
Accelerated degrees offer the same qualifications and are
quality-assured in the same way as a standard degree, but
delivered over a shorter, more intensive timespan. For
example, a two-year accelerated degree will condense 3-year
degrees with 30 weeks’ teaching into 2 years with 45 weeks’
teaching.
Universities Minister said:
The passing of this legislation is one of the great
modern-day milestones for students and breaks the mould
of a one-size-fits all system for people wanting to study
in higher education.
For thousands of future students wanting a faster pace of
learning and a faster route into the workplace at a lower
overall cost, two-year degrees will transform their
choices.
Proposals allow institutions to charge up to 20 per cent
more per year for accelerated degrees (in recognition of
the increased teaching time required), but the overall
tuition fee cost to the student is at least 20 per cent
less than the same degree over three years.
The 20 per cent increase per year will allow providers to
support higher in-year costs for accelerated provision,
such as tuition weeks over the summer and administrative
staff pay and capital overheads.
For the taxpayer, it means significantly lower tuition loan
outlay, higher rates of repayment and therefore a lower
cost to the public purse of higher education. A higher
proportion of students on accelerated degrees will also
repay their loans in full.
