The Committee has today launched an inquiry into value for money
in higher education. The inquiry will examine the use of graduate
outcomes data, social justice and progression of disadvantaged
students in higher education, and the quality of teaching across
institutions.
, Chair of the Education
Select Committee, said: “Over recent months
there has been increasing public attention on the costs to
students and to the taxpayer of higher education. The public
scrutiny of vice-chancellor pay has raised wider questions about
value for money.
In our inquiry we want to examine to what extent the
individual student and the taxpayer receives value for money for
this considerable financial investment. Do we benefit from
increased productivity from successful graduates? Do students see
a greater dividend throughout their careers as a consequence of
their degree?
“Social justice and the goal of improving young people’s
lives and help them progress on the ladder of opportunity should
be fundamental to the mission of our universities. We want to
explore how far our universities are delivering a good quality
service for their students and the extent to which the high
salaries of vice-chancellors are linked to positive student
outcomes”.
A recent survey showed that only a third of students believe
their course offers them value for money. The results of the
annual Higher Education Policy
Unit and the Higher Education Academy student experience study in
2017 showed that just 35% of respondents believed their
HE experience represented “good” or “very good” value for money.
The number of students saying their university was "poor" or
"very poor" value has almost doubled in five years.
The Committee is also interested in the variations in quality of
teaching in higher education institutions and the effectiveness
of the Teaching Excellence Framework in recognising this. The
Committee looks forward to hearing from the new Chief Executive
of the Office for Students and examining their role in ensuring
that students receive value for money from their education.
The Education Committee invites written
submissions by 23 October on the following issues:
- Graduate outcomes and the use of destination data;
- Social justice in higher education and support for
disadvantaged students;
- Senior management pay in universities;
- Quality and effectiveness of teaching; and
- The role of the Office for Students.
Committee Membership
Membership of select committees was confirmed following an
agreement of the House on Monday 11 September. The new members of
the Education Committee are: Rt Hon (Con, Harlow), MP (Con, Telford), MP (Con, Chippenham),
(SNP, Motherwell and
Wishaw), MP (Lab, Bury North), MP (Lab, Kingston upon Hull
West and Hessle), (Con, Copeland),
MP (Lab, Gateshead), MP (Lab Co-op, Manchester
Central), (Lab, Colne
Valley), MP (Con, Hazel Grove)
