Securing a sustainable future for higher education : an independent review of higher education funding and student finance
Year: 2010
Type: other
Abstract: We estimate that only the top 40% of earners on average will pay back all the charges paid on their behalf by the Government upfront; and the 20% of lowest earners will pay less than today.For all students, studying for a degree will be a risk free activity.The return to graduates for studying will be on average around 400%.In formulating our recommendations we had to balance the level of participation, the quality of teaching and the sustainability of funding; changing one component has an impact on the others.What we recommend is a radical departure from the existing way in which HEIs are financed.Rather than the Government providing a block grant for teaching to HEIs, their finance now follows the student who has chosen and been admitted to study.Choice is in the hands of the student.HEIs can charge different and higher fees provided that they can show improvements in the student experience and demonstrate progress in providing fair access and, of course, students are prepared to entertain such charges.Our recommendations will lead to a significant change; we do not underestimate the work that will be required.Since this review was commissioned the pressure on public spending has increased significantly.This will add urgency to make funding sustainable.We hope that, as these recommendations are debated, no one loses sight of the powerful role that higher education will play in continuing to build the greatness of this nation.
Author: John Browne
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1499817638