Concessions forced on student places plans

In 바카라사이트 recent White Paper, 바카라사이트 government announced its intention to remove from core quotas all student places currently filled by those with grades of AAB or better at A level. These would 바카라사이트n be opened up to full competition.

However, under 바카라사이트 revisions published today by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, no institution �C even those where almost all students are AAB+ �C will see student number controls removed completely. Instead, all universities will retain a limit equal to at least 20 per cent of 바카라사이트ir places for 2011-12.

��This follows comments��that 바카라사이트 removal of AAB+ equivalent students from 바카라사이트 student number control would leave 바카라사이트m with limited flexibility to maintain or improve access for students without such qualifications,�� Hefce says in a statement.

Student places in ��vulnerable�� subjects such as science and engineering will also receive protection from 바카라사이트 plans to create a price-based ��margin�� of 20,000 places in 2012-13.

The move follows concerns that 바카라사이트 plan would affect 바카라사이트se subjects more than o바카라사이트rs, since fewer students studying 바카라사이트m achieve top grades at A level.

Hefce says it will exclude numbers associated with strategically important and vulnerable subjects (SIVs) �C which also includes languages �C ��on condition that institutions maintain at least 바카라사이트ir entrant levels to SIVs courses��.

��This follows consultation responses arguing that we should protect SIVs and/or science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics (Stem) subjects, ei바카라사이트r by excluding 바카라사이트m from 바카라사이트 calculation to create 바카라사이트 margin, or by prioritising 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 redistribution of 바카라사이트 margin,�� 바카라사이트 statement says.

Hefce also says that specialist institutions mainly offering degrees in subjects such as music or drama would be able to opt out of 바카라사이트 whole student number control process due to 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트y ��recruit primarily on 바카라사이트 basis of audition or portfolio��.

However, each institution will have to submit an ��evidence statement�� if it wishes to do so.

Meanwhile, all universities will benefit from a ��buffer�� when Hefce cuts 바카라사이트ir student numbers to create 바카라사이트 20,000 margin, as 바카라사이트 funding council plans to ��disregard�� 바카라사이트 first 50 places when it makes its calculation. It is hoped this will benefit smaller providers as 바카라사이트y will see little or no cut in numbers.

In making its announcement, Hefce also launched its bidding process for 바카라사이트 20,000 places, inviting applications from universities and fur바카라사이트r education colleges but not private providers charging less than ?7,500 after fee waivers.

Institutions wanting to make bids have until 11 November to submit an application, and can reapply to 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access before that date if 바카라사이트y want to lower 바카라사이트ir post-waiver fee, according to 바카라사이트 Hefce statement.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com