Warning to universities not to sacrifice quality
Universities and colleges must not sacrifice quality for “inflated intakes” amid a rise in applications and plans for teacher-assessed grades, the higher education watchdog has warned.
The Office for Students (OfS) has heard of cases this year where large numbers of ‘unconditional offers’ – where adegreeplaceisofferedregardless of final results – have been made to prospective students.
Universities must ensure that students starting this autumn are not left disappointedbecause“over-recruitment” has reduced the quality oftheircourse,thechiefexecutive of the OfS has urged.
The warning over university admissions came after the Government confirmed that teachers in England will decide pupils' A-Level grades thissummerafterexamswere cancelled for the second year in a row.
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the OfS, said: “It is vital that students starting this autumndonotfacefurtherdisappointmentbecausethequalityoftheircourseisreducedby over-recruitmentandpoororganisation. “Universities and colleges need to plan wisely to ensure that all students have a highquality experience. The Office for Students will also use its powers to step in where this is not the case.
“The burgeoning demand for higher education is a vote of confidence from students in the potentially life-changing benefits that – at their best – universities and colleges can provide.
“Universities and colleges must not abuse this trust by sacrificing quality for inflated intakes.
“Supporting the most disadvantaged students as they start their higher education journey should be the number one priority.”