The tuition fee system for England’s universities is ripping off students and giving taxpayers poor value for money, says a parliamentary committee.
The House of Lords economic affairs committee attacked a “deeply unfair” system of fees and loans.
Committee chairman and former Conservative minister, Lord Forsyth, said they had also been “quite astonished by the complete collapse in part-time education”. Lord Forsyth says that there is no meaningful consumer choice or competition. The report says that the student finance system has failed to recognise the need to improve vocational skills and to help those wanting to re-train. Part-time student numbers have fallen by about 60% over the past decade. “There is clear evidence that what the economy needs is more people with technical and vocational skills. But the way that the funding for fees and maintenance operates makes it pretty well impossible for us to meet that demand,” says Lord Forsyth.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“We agree that for too long young people have not had a genuine choice post-16 about where and what they wish to study…we are undertaking a major review of post-18 education and funding, to make sure students are getting value for money and genuine choice between technical, vocational and academic routes.”
Ray Brogden, COO of Qualifi Awarding Organisation points out that there are alternatives to the traditional 3 year Hons Degree model available via Universities. Qualifi’s Ofqual regulated qualifications at levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 are Advanced Learner Loan approved; providing a cost effective and flexible alternative with Top Up final year University Degree options available. Furthermore, Qualifi’s 120 Credit yielding Level 7 qualifications enable progression on to 60 credit Masters Degree Top Up options including MA, MSc and MBA routes.
For more information please visit the Qualifi website at www.qualifi.net and view the HE pathways and qualification information available via the drop down tab “University Pathways” and “Qualifications”. Please do not hesitate to contact Qualifi should you wish to discuss becoming an approved delivery centre, our contact details can be found here https://qualifi.net/contact/
Full article here https://www.bbc.com/news/education-44433569