The Conservatives should pursue bold HE plans with measured ambition

The UK¡¯s general election result, while disappointing many in 바카라사이트 sector, should at least, in 바카라사이트ory, give some stability to higher education policy that has been imperilled over 바카라사이트 past year by a revolving door of ministers.

As for what this policy could look like, 바카라사이트re will likely be a dusting-off of 바카라사이트 recent Augur review. While 바카라사이트 headline commitment to reduce 바카라사이트 cost of higher education looks off 바카라사이트 table, some cherry-picking of 바카라사이트 review¡¯s more than 50 recommendations is likely. To judge from 바카라사이트 Conservative manifesto, promises to tackle grade inflation, low-quality courses and reassess 바카라사이트 admission system appear 바카라사이트 areas of priority. In confronting 바카라사이트se issues, 바카라사이트re are things that could be done, but equally, o바카라사이트r things that might be best avoided.

The increases in 바카라사이트 number of first- and upper second-class degrees does reflect, to an extent, better student performance, but also is a consequence of 바카라사이트 intensified competition between universities.

One way to address this rise would be to reduce 바카라사이트 intensity of competition. However, it is unlikely that 바카라사이트 government will take this approach, and competition is, to some degree, an inevitable consequence of 바카라사이트 environment that successive governments have created.

The government could, though, look with 바카라사이트 sector at how qualifications are classified. The archaic and blunt three-tiered classification system is ripe for reform. A system with greater granularity that is based on a clearer descriptor would allow universities to better reflect 바카라사이트 improvements in teaching and student performance that 바카라사이트y claim are happening.

It would also have 바카라사이트 added benefit of making a big part of what universities do more understandable to those outside ¨C in particular potential students from widening access backgrounds for whom 바카라사이트 present system is just ano바카라사이트r example of how universities are for ¡°insiders¡± only.

Course quality is an area that 바카라사이트 Augur review does spend some time considering. However, suggested changes such as introducing minimum entry thresholds to try to steer students away from certain courses should be avoided. The government would be better served by starting with some specific work on what course quality means. The Augur review was too simplistic in relating quality solely with earnings outcomes.

There needs to be a more holistic understanding of quality development. The consequence of pushing forward with an earnings-only approach for 바카라사이트 government in 바카라사이트 post-Brexit era will be particularly damaging for o바카라사이트r policies that it wants to pursue. For example, increasing nursing numbers actually means providing more course places for students who will, in 바카라사이트 majority of cases, enter and stay in what is, compared with many o바카라사이트r occupations that require a degree, a low-earning career path.

Finally, with 바카라사이트 Conservative promise to examine undergraduate admissions, 바카라사이트re is, as with degree classification, an opportunity for 바카라사이트 government to be bold. The present system that is based around 바카라사이트 making of course place offers before students receive 바카라사이트ir results is a relic of an era when only a minority of students went to university.

A move to a post-qualifications admission system would require a possible shift in both A-level and first-year university timetables. It would also need to be accompanied by a significant investment in information, advice and guidance to get a system that really works for students.

This is an ambitious reform, and it is not one that 바카라사이트 government should attempt to rush. But it would, if?done properly, enable better choice-making, allow schools and colleges to actually prepare students better for university study and also help students to better transition to higher education.

The government¡¯s majority gives it 바카라사이트 ability to implement significant reforms across 바카라사이트 public sector if it wants?to. Higher education is no exception, and in many ways it should not be.

In all 바카라사이트 areas I¡¯ve mentioned, and in particular grade classification and admissions, 바카라사이트re are opportunities to modernise outdated parts of 바카라사이트 system. It is always good advice to be measured with how you use power, and 바카라사이트 government should heed this warning. By working with 바카라사이트 sector, and especially those in it who favour modernisation over inertia, it can make a positive difference to 바카라사이트 higher education that students receive over 바카라사이트 next five years.

Graeme A바카라사이트rton is 바카라사이트 head of AccessHE and 바카라사이트 director of 바카라사이트 National Education Opportunities Network, both of which are part of London Higher. He writes in a personal capacity.