November 2022
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This conference examined the future landscape for undergraduate courses offered in England’s universities.
Discussion focused on potential major reforms to higher education funding and policy in response to the Post-18 Education and Funding Review - including the proposed introduction of number caps for specific university courses.
The conference was also an opportunity to discuss implications for HEIs, students, employers, society and the UK economy - as well as the future direction for policy and reform with the new prime minister in place.
Sessions in the agenda looked at:
- the market for undergraduate courses - the current landscape - trends - the capacity of the Higher Education sector now and into the future
- HE courses and the economy:
- current contribution - assessing the value for money of individual qualifications - opportunities for alignment of course provision to economic needs
- understanding skills requirements - improving university-employer engagement
- options for regulation:
- course designations - provider incentives - student number controls - differentiated tuition fees
- the impact on student choice, and sector autonomy and finances
- capacity and quality in key courses - key issues and options - delivery costs - staff - facilities and equipment - provision of industry placements - student funding
- potential impacts on stakeholders:
- the position and autonomy of the HE sector - relationship with government and regulators - provider and sector finances
- the attractiveness of higher education and its alternatives for students - employability prospects
- marginalised and disadvantaged communities - social mobility and opportunity
- policy - priorities for higher education and the offer of courses going forward - options for sector support, including for growth in high-cost provision
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Anne Spinali, Director for HE Reform and Funding, Department for Education; Dr Matt Dickson, Reader in Public Policy, Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath; and a senior speaker confirmed from UCAS.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the DfE; House of Commons Library; and the Welsh Government.
