1 February 2010
million+ comment on decision to restrict university student numbers to 2008 levels
The university think-tank million+ has described the cuts to student numbers imposed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (hefce) as a result of Government-imposed reductions in the higher education budget as completely counter-intuitive. The Hefce Board met on 29 January to consider how these reductions could be managed in 2010. In spite of evidence of rising demand, universities will only be able to recruit the same number of students in 2010 as they did two years ago, in 2008.
Professor Les Ebdon, Char of the university think-tank million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire said ‘As a result of these cuts, the number of places available in universities in 2010 will be the same as in 2008. This is completely counter-intuitive. The evidence points to rising demand but funding for student support which the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) provided to allow 10,000 additional students to be recruited in 2009 has been withdrawn and universities will not have these numbers available for students wishing to start university in 2010. Even worse, Hefce is also including ‘ELQ students’ in student numbers in 2010. These students already have a university qualification and universities do not receive any teaching funding for the majority of these students and they are not entitled to student support. It is quite ludicrous that the students of tomorrow should have their opportunities restricted on the back of students who do not receive any student support and for whom universities do not receiving any teaching funding. There can be no excuse for the Government limiting opportunities and funding must be provided to ensure that all those who are qualified can find a place at university in 2010.’
Professor Ebdon also criticised the long-term effects of cutting expenditure on capital projects to support teaching and said ‘The Funding Council is clearly trying to manage the cuts by protecting the unit of resource in teaching. However, money has been poured into research infrastructure since 2002 and universities which teach the majority of students were expecting capital investment in teaching to receive similar treatment. The failure to invest in teaching when the sun was shining now means that the capital programme will be virtually non-existent. In the future, universities will only be able to invest if they can borrow against income. Capital expenditure to improve teaching infrastructure does not just benefit students. It also benefits construction companies which supply the equipment. If the Government is hoping to grow the economy out of recession, slashing capital expenditure in universities in projects which would have directly benefitted the private sector does not seem to be a very wise approach.’
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education www.millionplus.ac.uk
- As a result of the Pre-Budget Report over £1bn will be cut from the higher education budget up to 2011-12. UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, has published figures for applications in 2010 which indicate a rise of 8.7% and some universities are reporting a rise of over 20% in applications compared to the same time last year.
- For more information, comment or interviews with Professor Les Ebdon or million+ Chief Executive Pam Tatlow contact Pam Tatlow on 0207 7171655 or 07795645241