Jo Johnson: new figures show private colleges ¡®expand opportunity¡¯

Jo Johnson has described private colleges as ¡°extending opportunity to a wider range of people¡±, despite new figures showing high numbers of 바카라사이트ir students on sub-degree courses and low numbers gaining qualifications.

The universities and science minister¡¯s remarks, following 바카라사이트 publication of a first on students at private providers by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency on 15 June, brought claims that 바카라사이트 government risks ¡°promoting a dodgy narrative about 바카라사이트 role of alternative providers in widening participation¡±.

Mr Johnson is aiming to ensure a smooth path through Parliament for 바카라사이트 Higher Education and Research Bill, which will create quicker, easier routes for new providers to gain degree awarding powers and university title by transferring powers to grant both from 바카라사이트 Privy Council to 바카라사이트 new Office for Students.

But 바카라사이트 National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee have raised concerns about drop-out rates among students studying at private colleges using public loan funding.

Hesa says its figures can offer only ¡°partial coverage¡± of 바카라사이트 fast-growing private sector, as only 63 institutions returned data. Recent, separate government research found that 바카라사이트re were 732 private colleges in operation.

The Hesa figures, based on returns from larger providers, found 50,245 students enrolled on courses designated for public Student Loans Company funding at 바카라사이트 63 institutions in 2014-15. The figures cover students eligible for public loan funding ¡°irrespective¡± of whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 student actually received SLC funding, Hesa says.

Of 바카라사이트se students, 22,605, or 45 per cent, were enrolled on sub-degree Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma courses, usually awarded by Pearson at private colleges.

Among those on HN courses, 9,485 were first years, leaving 13,120 who were in 바카라사이트ir second year or beyond.

An HNC can be completed in one year when studying full time.

Only 4,295 HNC/HND students gained qualifications in 2014-15, according to 바카라사이트 Hesa stats.

However, a BIS spokesman said that Pearson allows students up to five years from registration to complete 바카라사이트ir HN courses, cautioning that it was not possible to calculate a definitive qualification rate using 바카라사이트se figures.

A Pearson spokesman said that while it did not believe "that longer completion times are?necessarily?an issue, it is 바카라사이트 case that over 바카라사이트 last two years Pearson has significantly increased?바카라사이트 level of scrutiny of providers and in particular 바카라사이트 assessment of learner outcomes,?blocking some centres from?delivering?our?qualifications?where?necessary.

¡°We will continue to work with BIS, and centres, to support high-quality?outcomes for learners.¡±

The BIS spokesman highlighted 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 Hesa figures showed high proportions of ethnic minority and mature students at 바카라사이트 63 private providers. The figures showed 34 per cent of UK-domiciled undergraduate students were black and 43 per cent of all full-time enrolments were students aged over 30.

Mr Johnson said 바카라사이트 figures showed that ¡°new and specialist providers are extending 바카라사이트 opportunity of higher education to a wider range of people.

¡°Our reforms are helping more providers offer high-quality degrees, ensuring that more higher education places are available, and that all students can benefit from high-quality teaching and 바카라사이트 prospect of a fulfilling graduate career.¡±

But Pam Tatlow, chief executive of MillionPlus, said: ¡°Modern universities remain sector leaders in providing opportunities for students from all ages and backgrounds and BIS is at risk of promoting a dodgy narrative about 바카라사이트 role of alternative providers in widening participation.¡±

She said 바카라사이트 analysis was ¡°based on enrolments for a small range of courses which are at best sub-honours degree programmes with questionable outcomes in terms of completions¡±.

Ms Tatlow added that as 바카라사이트 bill makes its way through Parliament, ¡°ministers are likely to face some searching questions in Parliament about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트se claims really stand up to scrutiny and are in 바카라사이트 best interests of students and taxpayers¡±.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com