Parliamentary Briefing

Higher Education and Research Bill Second Reading, House of Lords

05 Dec 2016

The Higher Education and Research Bill is seeking to make fundamental changes to the UK’s higher education sector at a time when universities are facing new challenges as a result of the decision to leave the EU and continuing challenges as a result of UK government policy on international students. As such, it is vital that the reforms being proposed are properly scrutinised, and their short, medium and long-term implications are fully understood.

The UK has a world-leading higher education sector of diverse and innovative universities. The Bill raises questions about the government’s vision for the sector and the extent to which a further focus on the market is likely to enhance or undermine the UK’s hard won reputation for high-quality higher education in particular because the government is proposing to lower the criteria for university title and degree-awarding powers in England and allow new entrants to the market to have provisional degree-awarding powers.

Download Higher Education and Research Bill Second Reading, House of Lords »