By 2022 it is projected that the UK economy will require around 2 million additional jobs in occupations requiring higher-level skills.
For higher education participation to expand to meet these needs the question of how it can be funded in an equitable, sustainable and affordable way comes very much to the fore.
This report from the independent Student Funding Panel, established by Universities UK, analyses the impact of the 2012 reforms to undergraduate student funding in England, identifies existing issues with the current fees and loans system, and assesses the options for reform.
Chaired by Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, the Student Funding Panel comprises university vice-chancellors and policy experts from outside the sector.