QAA responds to review of post-18 education & funding

QAA welcomes the report of the independent panel, chaired by Philip Augar, as part of the government’s review of post-18 education and funding.

Commenting on the report, Douglas Blackstock, Chief Executive of QAA, said:

'The panel has produced a considered report, with wide-ranging recommendations not only for the higher, technical and vocation education sectors, but also for students of all types and ages. Recommendations including the reintroduction of student maintenance grants and measures to enable longer term financial planning for further education colleges will no doubt be well received. 

'QAA reviews over the past twenty years have demonstrated that the quality of UK higher education is world class. But quality needs appropriate funding, so that all of our universities and colleges can deliver the best possible learning experience for students.

'I welcome the report’s recognition of the value of the QAA-licensed Access to Higher Education Diploma as an important, nationally recognised pathway to higher education, which plays an important role in widening participation and changes lives.

'I look forward to reading the government’s response and working with our sector partners on future developments.'