By Richard Johnstone | 6 January 2015
The decision by the coalition government to increase university tuition fees to a maximum of £9,000 a year has contributed to a decline in more flexible forms of higher education, an analysis published today has found.
The Student Funding Panel, which was established last April by Universities UK to consider reforms to the current student fees and loans system in England, has set out details of its work so far.
Its update paper stated highlighted emerging issues, including concerns that the increase in fees, which took effect from the 2012 academic year, had impacted on the availability of options such as part-time study.
‘The evidence submitted to the panel so far suggests the 2012 reforms have been a contributing factor to a decline in more flexible forms of provision,’ it stated.
‘There was little evidence submitted to show that the reforms have improved incentives for institutions to pursue innovations in teaching.’
Universities UK president Professor Sir Christopher Snowden said the commission, which will publish its recommendations before the election, would now undertake further analysis of the impact of the tuition fee rise.
The panel has been formed with the aim of building political consensus for a stable long-term funding system, he said. While submissions acknowledged that the system of repayments for loans taken out to pay for fees was progressive, many commented that the total amounts to be repaid are very significant, and some said the repayment period is too long.
The panel, which includes Will Hutton, the chair of the Independent Commission on Fees, and Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, would now consider whether the total amounts to be repaid under the current system could be adjusted.
‘We need more evidence on how the system can best deliver value for money for students, encourage greater participation of part-time and mature students and provide a stable funding environment for all universities,’ Snowden added.
‘The panel is aiming to make its final recommendations this spring. With the general election in May, we hope all political parties take into consideration the issues identified by the panel when forming policies on higher education.’
