Responding to passing today of the Higher Education and Research Bill, Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK, said: "We are pleased the bill has now passed providing new legislation, and stability during a time of uncertainty, for our world-class university sector. We agreed there was a need for new legislation, but we had concerns about the original draft bill. Thanks to MPs and peers, and the willingness of ministers and officials to engage and listen, the final bill has been significantly improved.
"In particular, we're pleased with changes which protect university independence and standards and set a high bar for giving degree awarding powers and university title.
"We are also encouraged by the minister's statement today that there will be a refreshed international engagement strategy to promote our universities overseas, but we will continue our efforts to secure a more progressive immigration regime for staff and students."
Notes
For more information on Universities UK's position as the Higher Education and Research Bill reached the final parliamentary stages this week, please see the
letter from Universities UK and GuildHE sent to MPs and peers
