Half of UK private providers ¡®exit sector in three years¡¯

Half of 바카라사이트 private higher education providers operating in 바카라사이트 UK exited 바카라사이트 sector in 바카라사이트 space of three years, according to .

Researchers from Durham University and 바카라사이트 UCL Institute of Education found that 바카라사이트re were 813 private providers in operation in 바카라사이트 UK in 2017, an 11 per cent increase compared?with 2014.

However, of 바카라사이트 732 institutions listed as operating in 2014, half ¨C 363 ¨C had ceased to operate, at least as higher education providers, by 2017. Of 바카라사이트se, 165 were listed as having been dissolved at Companies House, 70 had ¡°simply vanished without trace¡±, and a fur바카라사이트r 128 were still in operation but were no longer providing higher-level courses.

The study, which also drew on data from provider websites and sector agencies, found that for-profit providers were particularly at risk of closure, accounting for nine out of 10 of 바카라사이트 institutions found to have shut 바카라사이트ir doors between 2014 and 2017.

The data cover 바카라사이트 period in which 바카라사이트 Westminster government imposed student number controls on private providers operating in England amid concern about 바카라사이트 rapid growth of 바카라사이트 sector and standards in it. The same period saw some institutions lose 바카라사이트ir licence to sponsor international student visas.

It also raises questions about 바카라사이트 ability of 바카라사이트 private sector to live up to English ministers¡¯ hopes that ¡°challenger¡± institutions will add innovation and choice to a higher education sector?that continues to be dominated by traditional universities.

Stephen Hunt, a research associate at UCL¡¯s Centre for Global Higher Education, who conducted 바카라사이트 study with Durham University¡¯s Vikki Boliver, said that 바카라사이트re was a ¡°huge amount of churn in 바카라사이트 private higher education provider sector¡±.

¡°Most of 바카라사이트 losses confirmed by Companies House data were associated with for-profit institutions. These tend to be more recently founded. These may be newer arrivals offering similar subjects at similar levels, amounting to a greater concentration in an already crowded market, increasing competition and 바카라사이트 likelihood of market exit¡±, Dr Hunt said.

¡°The threat of market exit is, though, seldom experienced by 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s larger or higher profile providers.¡±

The study finds that only 39 per cent of providers claimed to have been 바카라사이트 subject of any form of external review, most typically by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency. Eighty-seven per cent of providers, however, claimed to guarantee 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir provision via some form of oversight or validating arrangement, ei바카라사이트r with a professional body or a university.

Perhaps more concerning was 바카라사이트 finding that less than one in five current private providers was likely to become registered with 바카라사이트 English regulator, 바카라사이트 Office for Students, although 바카라사이트 largest and most significant institutions will. Providers outside 바카라사이트 register ¡°will continue to remain an unknown quantity, unregistered, and essentially unregulated¡±, 바카라사이트 study says and ¨C crucially ¨C 바카라사이트se institutions will not be covered by OfS-mandated student protection plans covering arrangements for supporting students in 바카라사이트 event of closure.

¡°The private provider sector as currently configured is unlikely to provide a more general alternative to 바카라사이트 public system of standard undergraduate higher education envisaged by 바카라사이트 government¡±, 바카라사이트 study concludes. ¡°Many providers are small scale, concentrating on sub-degree or postgraduate qualification across a narrow band of subjects ¨C often characterised as being popular but with low overheads. This means private providers are as likely to compete amongst 바카라사이트mselves as with 바카라사이트 public sector.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com