Birkbeck and the OU make submission to HE Review
25 January 2010
Birkbeck and the OU make submission to HE Review
Birkbeck and the Open University have submitted a joint document to the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.
"With part-time students accounting for almost 40% of all undergraduates, it is important that their voices are heard," said Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck. "With this joint submission we highlight the issues that really matter to part-time students - such as not being able access up-front loans, and only receiving limited financial support from the government."
The document describes:
- the impact that the introduction of variable tuition fees in 2006 had on the funding for part-time and full-time students and the resulting inequities
- the effect that the financial differences have subsequently had on the supply of part-time study and the demand for it
- the importance of the part-time HE sector in the current economic climate
- the importance of part-time study to fair access in higher education in this country.
Birkbeck and the OU are two of the country's leading providers of part-time, higher education with over 200 years of combined experience, offering teaching to nearly 200,000 students. This joint document is intended to present the panel with a clear and concise case in support of fair and equitable financial arrangements for part-time students in the future. The review is tasked with making recommendations to Government on the future of fees policy and financial support for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Review will hold public hearings this week as part of its first call for evidence. A second call for evidence will be then issued which will focus on recommendations for the future. Birkbeck and the OU will continue to work closely to develop proposals that address the needs of both institutions' diverse student bodies.
Click here to read the joint Birkbeck-OU submission
