Data used by HEFCE for modelling
56. When it carried out the consultation exercise
in September 2007, HEFCE published models of the impact of the
ELQ changes on individual institutions.[99]
The statistical projections made by HEFCE to calculate the level
of grant to be withheld from higher education institutions as
a result of the implementation of the ELQ policy were based on
historical data. Oxford University found HEFCE's approach "troubling".[100]
It pointed out that universities had collected and returned data
on students and their courses in 2005-06 in good faith and according
to the requirements of the Higher Education Statistics Agency
(HESA) coding manual. The data had not been collected and returned
with a view to underpinning the ELQ policy and was unsuitable
for the purpose. Oxford considered that something in excess of
£1 million was included within the calculation of teaching
grant to be withheld which, in its judgement, should not be included.
It explained:
The data returned to HESA for 2005-06, while appropriate
in terms of the requirements of that exercise, misrepresent the
number of ELQ students in that university's population from the
perspective of the new policy. Our student record system [
]
uses a number of default values in fields which, under the ELQ
policy, now become highly significant. This has resulted in HEFCE
inferring higher levels of non-ELQ students in our population
and not picking up on SIVS[101]
subjects within the programme.[102]
Oxford argued that HEFCE should not withhold grant
as a consequence of a coding decision taken for reasons unrelated
to the ELQ policy but should base such decisions on a count of
actual ELQ students.[103]
Oxford hoped that HEFCE would investigate carefully any appeals
by universities.[104]
57. We have concerns that the data which HEFCE collected,
before the withdrawal of funding for ELQ students was considered,
may not be accurate and may result in higher education institutions
losing grant to which they are entitled. We
recommend that HEFCE institute a speedy appeals system that will
allow higher education institutions to challenge the data about
ELQ students on which grant, including the safety net, is calculated.
58