million+ responds to new statistics on student participation
Responding to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency figures, Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said, “Modern universities are providing thousands of students each year with opportunities that were denied to previous generations. According to these statistics, many modern universities have three times more students from non-traditional backgrounds and four times the number of students who are over 26 years of age than some other institutions proving that in the UK we have universities which are prepared to give a chance to people who did not or could not go to university straight from school or college.
Drop-out rates in the UK are very low compared to the rest of Europe. This is a tribute to the work of universities who work very hard to ensure that students are successful. The real problem in the UK is that funding regimes are based on the idea of a standard full-time student. Many students re-take modules or have to take a break from a course for family or financial reasons but all of these students are classed as non-completers even though many return and complete their degree.
It is inaccurate to label these students as failures but it is even more unfair that universities which give these students an opportunity to study for a graduate qualification, are not paid for any teaching costs if a student fails just one module and successfully re-takes the module at the start of their next year.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a university think tank working to solve the complex problems in higher education
- The HESA data can be requested from pressoffice@hesa.ac.uk or 01242 211135
- The million+ research report ‘Social mobility: universities changing lives’ was published in March 2009
- For more information or to speak to Pam Tatlow please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171657 or 07900 277819.