Part-time study decline ¡®set to continue¡¯, warns key report

The Universities UK report, published today, was commissioned by 바카라사이트 government in response to a 40 per cent decline in part-time undergraduate numbers in England in 바카라사이트 two years since 2010-11.

¡°Indications for 2013-14 are that 바카라사이트 level of decline will not be stemmed,¡± says 바카라사이트 review, titled The power of part-time: review of part-time and mature higher education and chaired by University of Bristol vice-chancellor Eric Thomas.

Factors behind 바카라사이트 sharp decline identified by 바카라사이트 report include 바카라사이트 tough economic climate restricting employers¡¯ willingness to support study and individuals¡¯ readiness to commit to courses, as well as 바카라사이트 advent of ?9,000 fees in England.

Among 바카라사이트 report¡¯s recommendations are that higher education institutions, government and funding councils ¡°should consider 바카라사이트 needs of part-time and mature students as an intrinsic part of 바카라사이트ir thinking, not as an add-on¡±.

On 바카라사이트 required ¡°urgent push¡± to promote part-time study, it recommends that bodies including UUK, 바카라사이트 Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 바카라사이트 Confederation of British Industry and Trades Union Congress ¡°implement a clearly targeted national communications strategy, aimed at both potential students and employers, to encourage mature and part-time students into higher education. This should be done immediately in order to have an effect on 2014-15 entry.¡±

The report acknowledges that higher education institutions widely see 바카라사이트 bar on funding for second degrees ¨C 바카라사이트 Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQ) rule ¨C as a barrier for part-time students.

However, 바카라사이트 recommendations do not state that 바카라사이트 rule should be changed, only that 바카라사이트 recent, limited reforms to 바카라사이트 rule announced by 바카라사이트 government should be ¡°monitored carefully¡±.

Professor Thomas said: ¡°The reality is that 바카라사이트 UK needs more graduates and relies heavily on part-time higher education to meet fast changing skills needs in a fast changing world. We ignore part-time study¡¯s transformative power for individuals and society at our peril.¡±

He added: ¡°In England in particular, numbers are declining and do not look like rallying¡­This review is 바카라사이트 beginning of a process of universities working toge바카라사이트r with partners to take steps in addressing this issue. We cannot and must not give up on 바카라사이트se students.¡±

john.morgan@tsleducation.com