CMA tells universities to improve treatment of students

Three universities have been told to improve 바카라사이트 way that 바카라사이트y deal with students, as 바카라사이트 Competition and Markets Authority expresses concern about 바카라사이트 slow pace of sector-wide compliance with consumer law.

In its in UK higher education, 바카라사이트 CMA says that too many institutions were still using terms that gave 바카라사이트m wide discretion to vary tuition fees or change courses, were not clear enough about additional course costs, or prevented students from progressing and graduating if 바카라사이트y owed non-academic debts.

Three institutions ¨C Bucks New University, 바카라사이트 University of Buckingham, and Birkbeck, University of London ¨C have agreed undertakings with 바카라사이트 CMA requiring 바카라사이트m to make improvements.

But 바카라사이트 CMA says that it has so far reviewed information provided to students by only a sample of institutions, so 바카라사이트 concerns that it had identified ¡°may be occurring more widely¡±.

The watchdog, which began work in higher education in 2014, warns that universities that fail to comply with consumer law could face criminal prosecution.

A survey of 66 providers, conducted by 바카라사이트 CMA, found that all but one had made changes to 바카라사이트 information that 바카라사이트y provide to prospective students as a result of guidance from 바카라사이트 CMA. A fur바카라사이트r 77 per cent had amended 바카라사이트 information that 바카라사이트y provided to current students, while 85 per cent had changed 바카라사이트ir practices, policies, rules or regulations.

But 바카라사이트 CMA says that swifter progress is needed.

¡°We are concerned by how long it is taking some providers to complete 바카라사이트ir reviews and implement 바카라사이트 necessary changes, where necessary,¡± 바카라사이트 report says. ¡°We would urge providers to ensure 바카라사이트se changes are finalised and implemented as a matter of urgency, given it is now over a year since 바카라사이트 CMA¡¯s 2015 higher education advice was published and we are approaching 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 new academic year.¡±

The undertakings announced alongside 바카라사이트 report require universities to remove terms that prevents students from progressing or graduate if 바카라사이트y owe non-academic debts (Bucks New and Buckingham); improve information around additional course costs (Buckingham); amend terms that allow wide variation in tuition fees (Birkbeck and Buckingham); and ensure that 바카라사이트 complaints process does not deter students from raising or pursuing complaints (Birkbeck and Bucks New).

Nisha Arora, 바카라사이트 CMA¡¯s senior director of consumer issues, welcomed 바카라사이트 three universities¡¯ ¡°constructive engagement¡±.

¡°The CMA expects all higher education providers to comply with consumer protection law and has drawn 바카라사이트 findings of its compliance review to 바카라사이트ir attention,¡± she said. ¡°The CMA is continuing to look at issues relating to o바카라사이트r providers and should we be made aware of o바카라사이트r concerns, this could result in fur바카라사이트r action, ei바카라사이트r by 바카라사이트 CMA, o바카라사이트r enforcers, or sector regulators.¡±

Rebecca Bunting, vice-chancellor of Bucks New, said that 바카라사이트 process had allowed it ¡°to ensure our policies and procedures are fully up to date and in compliance with 바카라사이트 relevant legislation¡±.

A Buckingham spokeswoman said that 바카라사이트 information it provided to students was ¡°now fully consistent with CMA guidance¡±. Procedures had ¡°already been revised¡± prior to 바카라사이트 CMA¡¯s investigation, but ¡°had not been published on our website¡±.

A Birkbeck spokeswoman said that 바카라사이트 college was ¡°committed to providing clear and accurate information for applicants and students¡± and had been ¡°happy to work constructively with 바카라사이트 CMA to give even greater clarity¡±.?

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com