The Government today published its higher education white paper.

GuildHE CEO, Andy Westwood, said,

“We welcome today’s white paper on higher education. Institutions can now prepare more fully for the funding changes in 2012, with a clearer understanding of how the broader system is likely to operate.

“There is good news in the paper; putting students into a central role, the commitment to choice within a diverse sector and the promise to consult on degree awarding powers and university title. A commitment to free up institutions from student number controls is also welcome though the proposals for the ‘core and margin’ and ‘AAB’ mechanisms will need very careful thought if unintended consequences are to be avoided.

“Perhaps most positive is the White paper’s clear commitment to consult further and to work with the sector to realise the Government’s vision for higher education. This is key at a time when the risks of destabilising institutions and the broader system are still real. The most significant issue for everybody – institutions, students and ministers – remains the new financial system and the impact it will have on demand in 2012 and beyond. None of us can yet be certain what that will be.”

ENDS

For more information and comment, please contact:

Andy Westwood
Tel: 020 7387 7711
Mobile: 07970007142
Email: andy.westwood@guildhe.ac.uk 

Notes to editors

1. GuildHE is a recognised higher education representative body. Its 32 members are among the most dynamic and fastest-growing institutions in the sector. For a list of GuildHE institutions, please visit: https://www.guildhe.ac.uk/en/members-list/ 

2. The full text of the higher education white paper is available on the BIS website https://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/