GOVERNMENT URGENTLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS DECLINE IN PART-TIME STUDENTS, SAYS NUS

A report from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has revealed a 40% drop in part-time undergraduate students starting university courses.

The report titled ‘Higher Education in England: Impact of the 2012 reforms’ analyses some of the impact of the government’s disastrous changes to higher education funding which came fully into effect in 2010. In addition to a drop of more than a third in the number of part-time undergraduates, there has been a 27% drop in part-time postgraduates.

The report also says there is wide variation in the financial health of higher education institutions which could affect their ability to improve quality.

Rachel Wenstone, NUS Vice-President (Higher Education), said:

“The government urgently needs to address the decline in part-time student numbers. They have failed to account for less traditional students and forms of learning in making their changes and this is pushing many away from education.

“Part-time student numbers have been falling since the economic crisis began but the government have created an unsustainable situation by jacking up fees placing a huge burden on potential students.”

“Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and older students are more likely to study part-time than others and a lack of investment in part-time study will have disastrous impacts on diversity within universities.

“The government failed to properly consider the changes it was making and denied parliament proper scrutiny of its plans and it is students that are paying the price.”