QAA responds to the review of post-18 education and funding

QAA has published its response to the review of post-18 education and funding. The review, launched in February 2018 by the Prime Minister, considers four key areas for tertiary education in England.

• Choice and competition across a joined-up post-18 education and training sector
• A system that is accessible to all
• Delivering the skills our country needs
• Value for money for graduates and taxpayers

In our response, we make some key points and recommendations, including:

• There is no shortage of information and guidance about post-18 education options and costs available to prospective students. However, the range and variety of sources can be confusing.
• QAA's reviews see higher levels of unsatisfactory judgements for colleges than for universities. The further education sector would benefit from a medium to long-term funding strategy to assure quality. (See Higher Education Review: Third Year Findings.)
• The Access for HE Diploma has proved highly effective in providing a pathway to higher education for students without traditional qualifications.
• QAA's research based on long-term analysis of student submissions shows a correlation between an increase in the importance students place on value for money and rises in the level of fees charged by institutions.
• A lack of funding to support living costs is a significant barrier to entry and success in higher education.