The Office for Students announced a new set of thresholds that universities and colleges across the UK must perform to, in order to avoid investigation.
The thresholds have been set following what the OfS describes as an ‘extensive consultation process’ which included gathering views from students and their representatives, as well as universities and colleges.
Office for Students New thresholds for universities
For full-time students studying for a first degree, the thresholds are for 80% of students to continue their studies, 75% of students to complete their course, and 60% of students to go on to further study, professional work, or other positive outcomes, within 15 months of graduating.
Different thresholds have been set for courses depending on their mode and level of study. This takes into account the differences in outcomes for students who study full-time and part-time and those on undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Universities and colleges that perform below these thresholds could face investigation by the OfS, which will look into the reasons for their performance. If the performance is not adequately explained by a provider’s context, the OfS ‘has the power to intervene and impose sanctions for a breach of its conditions of registration.’
However, performance below a numerical threshold does not mean that a university or college is not meeting the OfS’ minimum expectations, as it will only make a judgement that a provider is not compliant ‘after considering the context in which it is operating.’
Therefore, the OfS could find that although a provider is performing below the numerical thresholds, it is delivering positive outcomes for its students. The OfS said that it is yet to make any judgements about any providers.
‘Thresholds will incentivise unis’
Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the OfS, said: ‘Many universities and colleges deliver successful outcomes for their students and our new thresholds should not trouble them. But too many students, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, are recruited onto courses with weak outcomes which do not improve their life chances.’
Lapworth explained that the OfS can now intervene when student outcomes are low, and where institutions ‘cannot credibly explain why.’
The new thresholds will provide ‘a clear incentive for universities and colleges to take credible action to improve the outcomes of courses which may be cause for concern.’