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An update on UK higher education policies. Michael Lavery Director Marketing & Student Recruitment. In 2012 the government introduced a series of changes which have challenged parts of the sector as well as provided opportunities;
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An update on UK higher education policies Michael Lavery Director Marketing & Student Recruitment
In 2012 the government introduced a series of changes which have challenged parts of the sector as well as provided opportunities; changes to the funding regime – increased tuition fees and the way HEIs receive fee income ‘core and margin’ redistribution of student numbers ‘unlimited recruitment’ of AAB students introduction of fee loans for part-time students UKBA requirements for international students
First year of a new fees and funding regime Students achieving AAB+ were exempted from student number controls 20,000 places re-distributed from institutions and awarded to those charging below £7,500 and meeting thresholds of quality and demand Most selective institutions given ‘protected core’ to ensure they can continue to offer fair access Nationally, the number of students entering higher education lower than in 2011-12, although significant differences between institutions
First year of a new fees and funding regime Institutions and applicants being more choosy = unplaced applicants Fines for over-recruitment above SNC – a deterrent for over-recruitment Applicants saw higher fees as indication of higher quality Not all selective HEIs filled their ‘protected core’ places – varied across institutions
Impact of changes in the funding regime HEIs are now challenged via ‘cash-flows’ under the new system of fees following students. Income will flow from the SLC at 3 points of the academic year. October (25% total), February (25% total), May (50% total), where the total equates to enrolled student numbers. So institutional financial health is crucial for sustainability and success in the first 2-3 years. What might be the consequences of institutional failures for the student, institution/staff and local economy?
Results so far? UCAS end of cycle report for 2012/13 showed.. In 2012-13, there was a significant drop in the number of people starting full-time undergraduate courses – 47,000 fewer students compared with 2011-12. There were falls in the number of acceptances through insurance choices or clearing, implying applicants were less willing to accept anything other than their first choice; Institutions made fewer offers in 2012 and those offers more concentrated on applicants with 5 offers; Proportion of applicants declining offers citing academic reputation continued to increase. Top three reasons for declining offers: 1) Course content, 2) Distance from home, 3) Academic reputation.
Clinical subjects and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have generally fared better than the arts, humanities and social sciences.* Modern foreign languages saw the greatest proportional drop in entrants in 2012-13, of 14 per cent. * There are, however, variations within these broad subject categories. Applications for 2013-14 suggest some continuing trends, with take-up of languages decreasing still further. * * HE in England – impact of 2012 reforms
What happened in Clearing 2012? Included universities you perhaps would not traditionally expect to see in Clearing More marketing spend Lasted longer Institutions took more borderlines -> radical changes in insurance conversion rates Applicants more selective / “shopping around” -> big growth in Adjustment Uncertainty -> different institutional behaviours
Student number controls 2013-14 1. High grades tariff lowered to ABB+ at A-level or certain equivalent qualifications2. Additional qualifications are on exemptions list3. A second core and margin exercise for 2013-14: - 5,000 places allocated on the basis of lower fees, demand and quality. - No corresponding cut to institutions’ numbers to release places
Student number controls 2013-14 4. In general, no reductions to student number control limits for 2013-14 for under- recruitment in 2012-135. Government asks HEFCE to allow institutions more flexibility in recruiting students to avoid under-recruitment. Institutions provided with 3% flexibility above student number controls6. Continued ‘protected core’ to ensure fair access for the most selective institutions7. Part-time provision continues to operate outside of controls
‘Uncapped’ AAB/ABB Students Lowered to ABB in 2013/14 This provides opportunities across the sector but has increased competition for these students who are an ‘uncapped’ stream. Largely tend to go to university so little change in cost to government in changing where they go. Careful not to see AAB/ABB vs ‘capped’ as “able” vs “less able” Could potentially impact adversely on the WP/social inclusion agenda and skews the ‘playing field’.
Hefce compiled list of exemptions (handout) Exemptions list not used to identify “best” vs “less able” http://www.hefce.ac.uk/data/year/2012/abbequivalences2013-14/
..and UCAS applicant figures for 2013/14 entry Total applicants (UK and overseas) are up by 2.5%, compared to a rise of 3.5% in January. Applicants from England are up by 2.1% (compared to a 3.0% increase in January). But the increase for applicants from England is still larger than those from Scotland (up 0.7%) and Wales (down 3.1%). Normally at this point in the application cycle around 85% of all applicants, and nearly all 18 year olds, have applied.
Dynamic, but not stable Government’s aim of increased dynamism and student choice - worth remembering the speed of change: HE White Paper (England) June 2011 ‘Students at the Heart of the System’ Instability not just about SNC New number controls impacting on institution behaviour New fee levels impacting on applicant behaviour The applicant voice is critical in understanding change School based changes around IAG Introduction of private providers
Declining demographics The deterrent impact of higher fees Change in applicant behaviour The attainment plateau School/college based policy changes Current economic challenges Some converging issues affecting the sector • Decline in part-time and postgraduate • Increased legislation for international students • Removal of funding for co-funded programmes • Removal/reduction in funding for research
Remember the speed of change: Last year was a year of instability for HE providers and schools and colleges while the new system was introduced This year there is greater awareness and understanding in both But, this year is different again, so have we built relevant expertise? Which history shall we use to build assumptions/modelling for future? 2012: difficult year 2011: unusual year 2010: buoyant year 2009: ‘normal’ year (?) but operated under completely different assumptions
Emergent issues – postgraduates and part-time Little focus on postgraduate education to date, but government acknowledging problematic, particularly in view of stated aim. Decline of 27% in postgraduate numbers 40% decline in part-time students taking up HE despite the provision of loans. Possible reluctance to take on student loans, especially mature students. It is also possible that students who are studying a qualification equivalent or lower than one they already hold, and are therefore not eligible to access tuition fee loans for part-time study, would find the increases in fees in 2012-13 a particular deterrent.* Some institutions have withdrawn courses which in the past attracted mainly part-time students. * *HE in England – impact of the 2012 reforms
Emergent issues – international students Dissonance between BIS and the Home Office Reduction in the number of students able to enter to study in the UK; and reduction/abolition of right to work for a defined period post completion of studies. Making the UK unattractive, will have negative economic and cultural impact nationally, regionally and locally – not only for universities but for the surrounding communities.
Emergent issues – widening participation 18-year-olds from the most advantaged areas are still three times more likely to apply to higher education than those from the most disadvantaged areas; entry rates to institutions that require high grades are typically six to nine times greater for applicants from advantaged areas. The impacts of the reforms on widening participation may only emerge in the medium to long term, and this issue needs to be closely monitored. Drop of over 7% applications from mature students – as most PT students are mature, this could exacerbate the recruitment issues for part-time.
Other requirements on universities from 2012 Introduction of Key Information Sets (KIS data) to enable students to compare courses, particularly in relation to employability and earnings (blunt instrument - ‘apples and pears’) A ‘risk-based’ QA regime Since 2012 Access Agreement arrangements must include part-time students where universities charge the student more than £4,500 per year.
Teesside’s plans for the future • We intend to continue building on our many successes and remaining constant to our mission and values. • Partnership working with our HEBP Colleges, new validated partners and employer organisations remains a high priority for the University. • Our focus will remain on enhancing our students’ experience and ensuring that they obtain high quality degree outcomes and realise their full potential.
To support our graduates into employment and in their careers through wraparound package of care, including; - work placements - Get Ahead web portal - graduate internships - career advice and guidance - enterprise and incubation opportunities To continue achieving excellence across the enterprise and identified niche research areas Supporting the local and regional economies
To continue raising our profile nationally and internationally for the outstanding quality of our work across multiple and complex agendas. • To continue to grow our numbers as opportunities arise of both home and international students. • To succeed as a University that we can all be proud of.
Some examples of recent achievements • In the World’s top three for • international student satisfaction • (international student i-barometer) • Award winning Students’ Union • Matrix accredited Careers Service • Our Library resources are in the • English universities’ top ten and • number on in the North East. • Professional accreditation for • courses – Skillset Academy (only • one in North East) • Top new university in UK for student experience (Times Higher Education survey 2011) • First and only modern university to ever win University of the Year • Teesside has Gold Investors in People Award – one of only 3 in UK • Accessible and supportive lecturers • Live projects & work placements • ‘Putting the Customer First’ accreditation
