Memorandum 64
Submission from the TUC
EQUIVALENT OR
LOWER QUALIFICATIONS
I am writing to raise some concerns over the
decision by government to withdraw funding from HE students who
are studying for a qualification which is equivalent to, or at
a lower level than, their existing HE qualification. I understand
that funding is to be withdrawn, subject to certain exemptions,
from 2008-09. This will hit some HE institutions, notably the
Open University, particularly hard. It is argued that this will
save some £100 million which can be reallocated towards priority
HE students such as those entering HE for the first time; that
in many cases employers should support ELQ students; that this
policy is consistent with the similar approach towards not funding
repeat qualifications at FE level; and that when funding is limited
hard decisions must be made. I understand those arguments. However
I would urge that this policy be reconsidered.
While it is right in principle that a similar
approach should be adopted towards repeat funding in HE and FE,
there are, for example, exceptions in the case of repeat Level
2 funding where a learner is unemployed or on a low-income, where
they may be entitled to funding, or qualify for reduced fees,
even if they already possess Level 2 qualifications.
Again, the principle that employers should pay,
where appropriate, is one the TUC would support but there are
considerable difficulties in applying that principle here. For
example it is unclear that many ELQ students would necessarily
be able to seek support from their employer. Many may be studying
in order to achieve an employment or career change, rather than
to enhance their skills with their current employer. Only 17%
of OU students currently receive any financial help from their
employer.
The general policy that funding for repeat qualifications
may need to be limited when there are higher priorities, such
as widening participation, is understandable but needs to be applied
very sensitively and will necessarily vary according to the context.
HE qualifications which are technical or highly vocational may
well become outdated more quickly than other more general lower
level qualifications. There may also be an impact on other priority
groups if a reduction in PT HE students feeds through to a reduction
in adult HE participation more generally. The saving of £100
million is a very small proportion of the total £7.1 billion
HE funding but will hit part time HE students particularly hard.
HEFCE modelling suggest that 20% of PT students will become unfunded
as opposed to only 2% of FT students.
While there are some exemptions and some transitional
safety net measures have been put in place for the OU, these too
may need reconsideration. The exemptions covering teachers, nurses,
social workers, foundation degrees and provision co-funded with
employers will affect only 5% of OU students. The OU estimate
that their estimated 25% drop in student intake and 19% drop in
funding will be the most radical cut suffered by any university
since the early 80's. Replacing 29,000 ELQ students by, for example,
recruiting access and foundation degree students will be a major
challenge.
HE fees and funding are of course to be reviewed
in 2009/10 and there may well be merit in the suggestion that
this funding change, or at least the PT element of this change,
be deferred until then.
January 2008
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