Alternative Providers of Higher Education: Improving Quality and Value For Money

Overview

This consultation seeks views on three proposals aimed at improving the overall outcomes for students and value for money at alternative providers of higher education.

Together these proposals aim to improve the likelihood that students at alternative providers will succeed in their courses, complete their qualifications, and go on to benefit from their higher education experience.  We aim to do this by supporting students to make well informed choices and encouraging providers to put student success first.  The proposals are:

• Strengthening English language requirements at alternative providers;
• Better information for prospective students; and
• Relating the number of students providers can recruit to provider performance.

Why your views matter

The Government is consulting on these proposals as it believes they would improve outcomes for students and providers overall, but recognise that they may have particular impacts on some providers.  There may also be practical implications for providers in meeting these requirements which the Government would welcome views on.

What happens next

This consultation will close for responses on 27 March 2015.  The responses will then be read and analysed, and the evidence and views within them considered.

We expect the Government response to the consultation, and the final decisions on the proposals discussed here, to be published in summer 2015.