The Augar Review: What’s missing and why?
Over the last three years, there have been enough pivots, swivels and pirouettes in ministers’ attitudes to the #Augar review to fill a series of…
The independent panel, led by Philip Augar, has today (30 May) published its findings and recommendations for the Government’s review of post-18 education and funding in England.
The Augar Review has over 60 recommendations and covers all of HE and FE, both the 50 per cent of young people who do not attend higher education as well as the 50 per cent who do, with the aim of improving opportunity and providing the skills required in a fast-changing economy.
The panel recommends a lifelong learning loan allowance available in modules, an employer-focused suite of higher technical qualifications and free intermediate education for ‘second chance’ adults delivered through a strengthened FE college network.
The panel found that while there is much to admire in higher education, some students are charged too much for their degrees and the substantial taxpayer subsidy could be better directed. Proposals include a cut in tuition fees to £7500, with overall university sector income protected by an increased government contribution to teaching costs. That contribution should be aligned with the modern Industrial Strategy and directed to courses which cost more to deliver and offer better value to students and taxpayers.
The panel also believes that Student loans are not well understood, and therefore recommends that the system be explained better, including a new name – the Student Contribution System. The system should be overhauled to reduce in-study interest charges but to increase the proportion of loans that is eventually repaid.
The panel welcomes the increase in the number of students entering higher education from low-income families in recent years, but notes that much more still needs to be done. Proposals for disadvantaged students include the re-introduction of maintenance grants, an increase in resources to support them while studying and an Office for Students-led focus on the outcomes achieved by the large amount of fee income that universities are required to spend on widening participation.
In the Government response to the Augar Review, DfE has announced a new package of measures on higher education reforms, alongside the publication of two consultations on Minimum Eligibility Requirements and a Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE).
Over the last three years, there have been enough pivots, swivels and pirouettes in ministers’ attitudes to the #Augar review to fill a series of…
As a part of the Skills For Jobs White Paper launched earlier today, DfE have also their Interim Conclusion of the Review of Post18 Education and…
New Report from EDSK (@EDSKthinktank) and FETL (@FETforL) FE colleges should be required to break their different functions into separate institutions that have their own…
Tonight’s guests include: Philip Augar, Former chair of government’s post 18 education panel | David Gallagher, NCFE | Chris Hale, Director of Policy – UUK | Kirstie Donnelly, City…
The Higher Education Policy Institute has published new research on students’ views of the higher education funding system, At what cost? Students’ views on Augar, funding…
Severe financial consequences for universities if Augar Review recommendations about tuition fees are implemented, Lords Committee warns. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee…
What’s at the end of the tunnel for further education? The treatment of further education (FE) is nothing short of shocking and the recent Augar…
In an unprecedented move, the leaders of every general further education college in England have joined forces to write an open letter to the Chancellor…
In an unprecedented move, the leaders of every general further education college in England have joined forces to write an open letter to the Chancellor…
The significant and welcome focus on Further Education and the sector’s workforce from the Augar Review of Post-18 Education and Funding on 30 May 2019…
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.