"Our universities are world renowned for quality, transforming students' lives and developing the skilled graduates our economy needs. Future success depends on universities having stable and sustainable funding – which the current system provides. This review is the opportunity to examine the evidence and to make improvements. Crucially, the current system could be better understood and feel fairer to students. Injecting new investment to help the poorest students with their living costs and tackling the decline in mature and part-time study must be priorities.
"The perception may be of academic versus technical qualifications, but the reality is very different. Universities are key to developing the skills needed by employers and students across a wide range of industries, sectors and professions. Degree apprenticeships are a growing and important area, and a significant proportion of courses at UK universities include a technical element."
Notes
1. As higher education is devolved, this review is England only. In Wales, the Welsh Government has recently announced a new student finance package for students from 2018/19, following the Diamond review of university funding and student financing in Wales (2016).