The Government has
today unveiled a new framework for the future success of higher
education, setting out the important role universities will play
in securing the country’s economic recovery and long term prosperity.
Lord Mandelson’s vision to sustain university success in more
challenging and competitive times sets out the Government’s
approach on the major issues facing universities, including the
need to make greater contributions to the economy, widening access
and strengthening our research capacity.
The higher education framework, Higher Ambitions , sets out a
strategy for universities to remain world class, providing the
nation with the high level skills needed to remain competitive,
while continuing to attract the brightest students and
researchers.
Key measures set out in the framework include
More competition between universities, giving greater priority
to programmes that meet the need for high level skills;Business to
be more engaged in the funding and design of programmes,
sponsorship of students, and work placements; Creating more
part-time, work-based and foundation degrees to make it easier for
adults to go to university’s, with routes from apprenticeships
through to Foundation Degrees and other vocational
programmes;Encouraging universities to consider contextual data in
admissions, as one way of ensuring that higher education is
available to all young people who have the ability to
benefit;Universities setting out clearly what students can expect
in terms of the nature and quality of courses offered; Sustaining
our world class research base by continuing to focus on
excellence, concentrating research funding where needed to secure
critical mass and impact; and Encouraging collaboration between
universities on world class research, especially in high cost
science.
In the House of Lords today Lord Mandelson said:
“Able people and bright ideas are the foundation stones of a
thriving knowledge economy and in the next ten years we will want
more, not fewer people in higher education, and more not less
quality research.
“We have made great progress in the number of young people going
to university at 18 or 19 to do a three year degree. But the
challenge for the next decade is to offer a wider range of new
study opportunities – part-time, work-based, foundation degrees
and studying whilst at home – to a greater range of people.
“All students must continue to enter higher education on their
merit. But I believe this means taking account of a student’s
academic attainment, their aptitude and their potential. Many
universities are already developing their use of contextual data
in admissions and we hope that all universities will look at their
examples and consider incorporating such data in their admissions processes.
“The Government also want universities to make an even bigger
contribution to Britain’s economic recovery and future growth.
“We have therefore decided to give greater priority to programmes
that meet the need for high level skills, especially in key areas
such as science, technology, engineering and maths. There will be
a greater element of competition between universities for new
contestable funding as an incentive to fulfil this priority. With
employers and universities, we will identify where the supply of
graduates is not meeting demand for key skills. And we will seek
to re-balance this, by asking HEFCE to priorities the courses and
subjects which match these skills needs.
“We will look to business to be more active partners with our
universities. We want employers to be fully engaged in the funding
and design of university programmes, the sponsorship of students,
and offering work placements.
“In the decade ahead we will expect more from our universities
than ever before. They will need to use their resources more
effectively, reach out to a wider range of potential students and
devise new sources of income, at the same time as they maintain
teaching and research excellence.”
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills also announced
that Sir Martin Harris, the Director for Fair Access, will consult
with Vice Chancellors and provide the Government with a report on
what further action could be taken to widen access to highly
selective universities for those from under privileged
backgrounds.
Lord Mandelson added:
“Wider and fairer access to university is a question of basic
social justice and it is right that able students with the talent
and ability to attend highly selective university are given a fair
chance to do so, regardless of where they live or the school they attend.”
Notes to Editors
1. Higher Ambitions can be found online at www.bis.gov.uk
2. The Higher Education Debate began in February 2008 when former
Universities Secretary, John Denham, commissioned ten academics to
report on key issues facing the sector in the next 10 to 15 years.
A further six reports were commissioned from employers and key
users of higher education, to give a rounded view of what was
needed for the country’s higher education provision to remain
world class in the future. Further detail and copies of the
reports can be found online at
http://www.dius.gov.uk/higher_education/shape_and_structure/he_debate
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Adam Smith
Phone: 020 7215 5955
Adam.Smith@bis.gsi.gov.uk