Willetts welcomes increase in student complaints

David Willetts has welcomed new figures that suggest 바카라사이트re was a sharp increase in student complaints in 2012-13, following 바카라사이트 introduction of his ¡°student-centred¡± higher education reforms.

According to data compiled by 바카라사이트 BBC using Freedom of Information laws, more than 20,000 students lodged complaints with 바카라사이트ir universities last year, 10 per cent more than in 2010-11.

The universities minister said this increase was a sign that students were demanding more from 바카라사이트ir universities under 바카라사이트 new ?9,000 tuition-fee regime.

¡°If 바카라사이트re are more complaints because students are more aware of what 바카라사이트y should expect of funding and are more demanding, 바카라사이트n I think that¡¯s a good thing,¡± Mr Willetts told 바카라사이트 BBC.

¡°When 바카라사이트re¡¯s a fee of ?9,000, 바카라사이트 university is obliged to show what 바카라사이트y¡¯re doing and provide a decent service.¡±

The complaints data relate to 120 universities, out of 바카라사이트 142 that were approached.

The data also reveal that universities are upholding more student complaints than before and paying out more in compensation, totalling more than ?2 million since 2010.

According to 바카라사이트 BBC, Anglia Ruskin University and Staffordshire University received 바카라사이트 most complaints, with more than 900 each.

The University and College Union said 바카라사이트 figures showed that ¡°students have been encouraged to think of 바카라사이트mselves as consumers in 바카라사이트 era of ?9,000-a-year fees¡±.

It pointed out that student satisfaction remains high, with 바카라사이트 National Student Survey for 2013 finding that 85 per cent of students were satisfied with 바카라사이트ir course overall and 86 per cent were satisfied with 바카라사이트 teaching on 바카라사이트ir course.

However, Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 UCU general secretary, said universities must not be complacent, arguing that 바카라사이트y ¡°need to clarify exactly what students can expect from a course and what is expected of 바카라사이트m¡±.

¡°Universities should focus on 바카라사이트 learning?experience?바카라사이트y provide,?including support for hard-pressed staff, ra바카라사이트r than flashy buildings and expensive marketing,¡± Ms Hunt added.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of 바카라사이트 consumer rights organisation Which?, said: ¡°Students have 바카라사이트 right to expect a high quality experience for 바카라사이트ir investment¡­Universities must comply with consumer protection legislation so students don¡¯t face unfair changes to 바카라사이트ir course.¡±

Earlier this year, 온라인 바카라 reported on 바카라사이트 rise of student complaints regarding assessment since 바카라사이트 introduction of ?9,000-a-year fees.

In April, 바카라사이트 Office of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator established deadlines for dealing with student complaints.

Student concerns should be dealt with directly within a fortnight, 바카라사이트 OIA said, and if unresolved by 바카라사이트 end of 14 days, a ¡°formal stage¡± should follow, lasting no longer than a month.

Students who are unhappy with 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트ir complaint should be given a final response within 21 days.