Universities UK today submitted its second piece of evidence to the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding & Student Finance, led by Lord Browne.

The submission argues that while fundamental aspects of the current student funding system are strong, it does contain serious flaws that need to be addressed. It recommends the implementation of a rolling programme of reform, building on the strengths of the current system and developing a structure that will benefit students and the economy first and foremost.

Universities UK will also stress that any outcome must maintain the world-class status of UK higher education, put universities in a position where they can successfully meet the needs of the UK economy, and ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to better-resourced higher education.

Key points of the submission include:

• There will remain a strong role for public funding of higher education in the future.
• The current tuition fee and loan system should more accurately be described as a ‘graduate contribution’.
• The ‘graduate contribution’ towards higher education should increase over time, up to a maximum level. This should remain regulated and carefully monitored.
• Access to information about higher education should continue to improve and should be based on feedback from students about what they would find most useful.
• The resource costs of the current student loan systems should be reduced. Universities UK explores the various options for achieving this in its submission.
• The student support system should work towards being indifferent as to whether a student wishes to pursue full-time or part-time study. As a first step, some of the support available to full-time undergraduate students should be extended to those part-time undergraduate students that would benefit most.
• The review should consider recommending extending government loans to taught postgraduate students.

Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK said: “This review has come at a critical time for higher education. We face unprecedented demand for student places, and more than ever, we need a strong and sustainable higher education sector to drive economic growth and provide the kind of skilled workforce we will need to thrive as a nation.

”It is clear that we urgently need reform of the current system. Universities UK looks confidently to Lord Browne and the review team to construct a set of proposals that create a stronger system for student finance and ensure the future sustainability of our universities.”

Notes

1. Universities UK's Submission to the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance is available to download.
2. Universities UK’s first piece of evidence was submitted in January 2010. The report – 'Making it count: how universities are using income from variable fees'  formed a major strand.
3. Professor Smith will appear on Thursday 20 May [15:45] at the Independent Review's second public hearing taking place in Bristol. The line-up will include: Aaron Porter, President, NUS, Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive, HEFCE and Professor Steve Smith, President, Universities UK. The public hearings will be filmed, and videos will be posted on the Review website as soon as they are available: www.independent.gov.uk/HEreview