This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-13927710

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Universities shake-up eyes greater competition Universities shake-up calls for more competition
(40 minutes later)
  By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent
A planned shake-up of higher education in England is being set out later, with the aim of creating more competition and giving students greater powers. A planned shake-up of higher education in England, being set out later, aims to create more competition and give consumer powers to students.
Universities could compete for places, including with the private sector, and be held accountable for the quality of their teaching.Universities could compete for places, including with the private sector, and be held accountable for the quality of their teaching.
Universities Minister David Willetts said the White Paper aimed to put "students in the driving seat".Universities Minister David Willetts said the White Paper aimed to put "students in the driving seat".
Labour's John Denham attacked the plans as "unfair and unsustainable".Labour's John Denham attacked the plans as "unfair and unsustainable".
Students reacted angrily, with the president of the Oxford Student Union, David Barclay, saying: "Dressing up the White Paper with the language of student choice is like putting lipstick on a pig.
"Education is not a commodity to be bought and sold."
Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Willetts said that under the new system, "money will go with students" and that universities that are successful in attracting students should be able to expand.Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Willetts said that under the new system, "money will go with students" and that universities that are successful in attracting students should be able to expand.
The government wants to encourage more market forces in higher education by promoting consumer choice and making universities more accountable to students paying higher fees.The government wants to encourage more market forces in higher education by promoting consumer choice and making universities more accountable to students paying higher fees.
High flyersHigh flyers
This will include plans for inspections to be triggered if there are concerns about the quality of courses or teaching standards.This will include plans for inspections to be triggered if there are concerns about the quality of courses or teaching standards.
Mr Willetts said a "crucial" element of the changes was that students should receive better information on issues such as contact hours with academic staff and job prospects.Mr Willetts said a "crucial" element of the changes was that students should receive better information on issues such as contact hours with academic staff and job prospects.
"This will give a real incentive for universities to focus on the quality of the teaching experience for students," he said."This will give a real incentive for universities to focus on the quality of the teaching experience for students," he said.
The White Paper will set the landscape for higher education at a time when many students will be paying tuition fees of £9,000 per year.The White Paper will set the landscape for higher education at a time when many students will be paying tuition fees of £9,000 per year.
The overall number of university places is expected to be kept at about the current level but there will be measures to encourage more competition between institutions.The overall number of university places is expected to be kept at about the current level but there will be measures to encourage more competition between institutions.
Universities will be allowed to create more places for the most talented applicants - those with at least grades AAB at A-level.Universities will be allowed to create more places for the most talented applicants - those with at least grades AAB at A-level.
And it is expected there will also be more room for expansion for those universities willing to charge lower fees of around £6,000 per year.And it is expected there will also be more room for expansion for those universities willing to charge lower fees of around £6,000 per year.
But Labour's universities spokesman, Gareth Thomas, said this would be a "race to the bottom", designed to push down the overall cost of student loans, when many more universities than anticipated opted to charge the maximum fee.But Labour's universities spokesman, Gareth Thomas, said this would be a "race to the bottom", designed to push down the overall cost of student loans, when many more universities than anticipated opted to charge the maximum fee.
Universities are also set to bid for a proportion of places above a "core" number - with the expectation that it will create an opportunity for more private providers.Universities are also set to bid for a proportion of places above a "core" number - with the expectation that it will create an opportunity for more private providers.
At present there are only five private bodies in England with degree-awarding powers - but it is expected that this could increase.At present there are only five private bodies in England with degree-awarding powers - but it is expected that this could increase.
And there are plans to remove barriers to new providers, which could mean more private institutions being set up or partnerships between public universities and the private sector.And there are plans to remove barriers to new providers, which could mean more private institutions being set up or partnerships between public universities and the private sector.
Mr Willetts said such institutions would in future be "regulated on the same basis as everyone else".Mr Willetts said such institutions would in future be "regulated on the same basis as everyone else".
And he said he also wanted existing universities "to be in the mindset they are not in the public sector".And he said he also wanted existing universities "to be in the mindset they are not in the public sector".
Although they receive a lot of public funding, they are independent institutions and "do not belong to the public sector," the universities minister said.Although they receive a lot of public funding, they are independent institutions and "do not belong to the public sector," the universities minister said.
The White Paper comes as a survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters suggests graduates in the UK are facing record competition for jobs, with an average of 83 applying for every vacancy.The White Paper comes as a survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters suggests graduates in the UK are facing record competition for jobs, with an average of 83 applying for every vacancy.
The government wants a more flexible choice for students in a more "liberalised" higher education market.The government wants a more flexible choice for students in a more "liberalised" higher education market.
As an example, the Open University will offer courses through local further education colleges.As an example, the Open University will offer courses through local further education colleges.
Student charterStudent charter
There will be a "student charter" setting out their rights if there are disputes over the quality of courses or facilities.There will be a "student charter" setting out their rights if there are disputes over the quality of courses or facilities.
Last week the Higher Education Funding Council announced that universities would have to publish key information about courses, such as the average salary of former students, the cost of accommodation, teaching hours and satisfaction ratings from previous students.Last week the Higher Education Funding Council announced that universities would have to publish key information about courses, such as the average salary of former students, the cost of accommodation, teaching hours and satisfaction ratings from previous students.
The funding council will itself have a new role as a "consumer champion" for students.The funding council will itself have a new role as a "consumer champion" for students.
John Denham, the shadow business secretary, said: "The White Paper will sacrifice quality in an attempt to tackle the fees crisis caused by government incompetence.John Denham, the shadow business secretary, said: "The White Paper will sacrifice quality in an attempt to tackle the fees crisis caused by government incompetence.
"Universities should be able to concentrate on working with business on the skills, growth and jobs needed to ensure we can pay our way in the future, not be distracted by the fallout of a policy that was unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable.""Universities should be able to concentrate on working with business on the skills, growth and jobs needed to ensure we can pay our way in the future, not be distracted by the fallout of a policy that was unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable."
Are you a lecturer or student at university? How do you think the shake-up will affect your university? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions