Full article here – https://feweek.co.uk/2017/09/29/revealed-200m-adult-education-budget-underspend/Extracts below:Multiple sources have confirmed to FE Week that around 13 percent of the £1.5 billion AEB budget went unspent in 2016/17 – a situation sector leaders described as “worrying” and “frustrating”.David Hughes, the AoC’s chief executive, said he has been discussing the underspend with the ESFA to “help them understand how...Read More

Further information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/office-for-students-regulatory-framework-for-higher-educationThis consultation sets out the context for the creation of the Office for Students and for the proposed regulatory approach and the detail of that proposed approach.This consultation seeks your views on:the proposed risk-based regulatory approach for the higher education sectorthe guidance on the conditions, behaviours, and evidence for registrationthe approach to the...Read More

Full article and link to the consultation portal can be found here – https://consult.education.gov.uk/higher-education/degree-awarding-powers-university-title/The Department for Education (DfE) have invited views on the proposals for the criteria and processes for degree-awarding powers and university title This consultation seeks views on behalf of the Secretary of State and the new Office for Students (OfS) on the proposed...Read More

Full article here – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/10/17/45m-ineligible-student-loans-sent-students-alternative-university/ Extracts below.The number of students studying at the private institutions, known as alternative providers, has more than quadrupled since 2010, following a Government drive to get more students into higher education.Their courses are currently £3,000 cheaper than universities, with students permitted to apply for loans to cover tuition fees and maintenance...Read More

Qualifi Awarding Organisation is proud to be involved in and support this initiative through our work with PAM Education and their work with the Tianjin Education Commission (TEC) and colleges in the UK. Below are extracts from a document published by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China in July 2017.The collaboration...Read More

Full article here – https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/oct/14/student-loans-former-education-secretary-morgan-to-lead-inquiryExtracts below:Nicky Morgan, the former education secretary, is to lead an inquiry into the rising costs of the controversial student loans system in England and its possible replacement by a graduate tax. “Student loan debt is projected to be around £160bn within six years, and the government has announced that it will...Read More

Full article here – https://www.aoc.co.uk/news/prime-minister-urged-address-under-fundingExtracts below:Principals and chairs from 141 colleges across England have written to the Prime Minister to call for extra funding to support students aged 16 to 19.In England, the current base funding level for 16 to 18-year-olds is £4,000 per year.  This decreases to £3,300 at 19-years-old.  This funding covers around 600...Read More

Complete article here – http://www.bbc.com/news/education-41573213Extracts belowMaureen Matthews is starting a three-year law degree at the tender age of 79. She’s not even the oldest student on her new course at the University of West London in Brentford. Sitting next to her in lectures is 84-year-old Craigan Surujballi.When about half of young people now go into higher education, it’s...Read More

UK students have been unfazed by the new ranking, but international students are taking the results seriously, which could damage bronze universitiesFull article here – https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/oct/16/is-the-teaching-excellence-framework-shaping-international-student-choiceThe teaching excellence framework (TEF) ratings have been around since June, but their impact on choices made by prospective domestic students seems muted so far. When it comes to international students,...Read More

Full article here – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/10/12/inside-essay-mills-offering-do-students-work/Extracts below:It is estimated that the ‘professional essay writing industry’ – services offering to quickly complete any assignment, to any standard, for a fee – is now worth over £100m, providing completed assignments to tens of thousands of students at UK universities every year. Generally, work ordered from essay mills is given to...Read More