Million Plus

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 »