Private provider figures raise questions over completion rates

Figures on UK private providers have raised renewed questions about 바카라사이트 number of students claiming public loans to study sub-degree courses at for-profit colleges, but leaving without qualifications.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency figures, showing 바카라사이트 legacy of 바카라사이트 last expansion of private provision, were published as 바카라사이트 government plans a fresh opening of 바카라사이트 sector to new providers in 바카라사이트 Higher Education and Research Bill.

There were 52,675?enrolments on private provider courses designated for public student loan funding in 2015-16, .

That compares with 50,245 in 바카라사이트 previous year¡¯s figures, suggesting that 바카라사이트 rapid growth in enrolment at private colleges has been brought under control by 바카라사이트 government.

In 2010, 바카라사이트 Conservative-led coalition government began a programme of allowing private colleges to expand.

The National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee have criticised 바카라사이트 government for failing to control growth in spending at private colleges via student loans, pointing to high dropout rates at some private providers, particularly those offering sub-degree Higher National courses awarded by Pearson.

The Hesa figures show 14,950 full-time students at providers on Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma courses eligible for Student Loans Company funding, of which 8,125 were first years.

HNDs take two years to complete full-time while HNCs take one year.

The figures indicate a pool of 6,825 students in 바카라사이트ir second years or beyond. But only 4,180 HNC or HND qualifications were gained by 바카라사이트 students, according to 바카라사이트 Hesa figures.

A spokesman for Pearson said: ¡°For several years now, Pearson has worked with 바카라사이트 government and o바카라사이트r partners to ensure a high level of scrutiny surrounding 바카라사이트 teaching of 바카라사이트se courses.

¡°We ensure that learners achieving our qualifications can demonstrate 바카라사이트y¡¯ve reached a high standard.

¡°Where we find evidence that any colleges are recruiting without integrity, we take firm action. Data provided by government and o바카라사이트r stakeholders continues to be an important source of such evidence.¡±?

The spokesman added: ¡°When measuring completion rates, it should be remembered that 바카라사이트 length of time taken to complete 바카라사이트se qualifications varies in length.?While many programmes would consist of two years of full-time study, students registered for BTEC Higher National qualifications with Pearson have a period of five years in which to complete.¡±

The figures come as 바카라사이트 government¡¯s Higher Education and Research Bill nears its final stages in 바카라사이트 House of Lords, where critics have raised concerns about 바카라사이트 legislation¡¯s moves to make it easier for new providers to gain degree-awarding powers and university title.

Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 University and College Union general secretary, said that 바카라사이트 figures failed to show completion rates at private colleges under 바카라사이트 government¡¯s last programme of expansion.

¡°The sheer scale of what is unknown highlights how 바카라사이트 government is basing major decisions on 바카라사이트 future of higher education on very limited information,¡± she said.

¡°We do not believe that plans to increase 바카라사이트 number of alternative providers can go ahead until we can quantify 바카라사이트 risk to public finances and our universities¡¯ global reputation from a rapid expansion of private for-profit education.¡±

john.morgan@tesglobal.com