Higher education framework published

10 Nov 2009

The long-awaited and anticipated Higher Education Framework has been published by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. Entitled Higher Ambitions: The future of universities in the knowledge economy, it sets out proposals to further improve access to higher education and make universities more responsive to the needs of the economy and of businesses in particular.

The framework has particular relevance to Sussex Learning Network as it stresses the importance of progression and work-related learning. Peter Mandelson, the Secretary of State, says: "we need stronger ladders of opportunity through vocational and work-based routes into Foundation Degrees, including advanced apprenticeships and new technician qualifications".

The proposals fall into six areas of access, the link with the economy, research, teaching standards, links with the wider world and funding.

Access to higher education

• Improve IAG in schools to encourage more people to consider university
• Encourage all universities to develop new ways to use contextual data in their admissions procedures to assess aptitude and potential
• Re-examine Fair Access on further action that could be taken to widen access to highly selective universities for those from under privileged backgrounds
• Expand new types of higher education programmes that widen opportunities for flexible study

Economic recovery

• Devise new funding incentives to develop higher education programmes that deliver the higher level skills needed
• Bring together universities, employers, HEFCE and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to identify and tackle specific areas where university supply is not meeting demand for key skills. All universities to describe how they enhance students’ employability
• Encourage business to be an active partner with universities, not passive customers
• Review the future of postgraduate provision

Research capacity

• Focus on world-class research and greater recognition of the potential benefits of research concentration in key areas
• Establish strong new incentives to increase the economic and social impact of research
• Support stronger long term relationships between business and universities

Promoting excellent teaching

• Expect all universities to publish a standard set of information setting out what students can expect in terms of the nature and quality of their programme
• Support universities’ work to strengthen the role of the external examiner system

Local and intellectual links

• Protect universities’ right to create their own business plans and to borrow in order to contribute to regional economic development
• Champion universities’ international standing
• Empower universities to be world leaders in the growing market in transnational education based on e-learning

Funding

• Launch a review of the fees structure in English universities

 The full report is available as a download from the BIS website.