Withdrawal of funding for equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQs)
In September 2007 the Government instructed us to phase out funding provided to higher education institutions (HEIs) and further education colleges (FECs) to teach students who are studying for a qualification that is equivalent to, or lower than a qualification that they have already achieved. Following our consultation in the autumn of 2007, the policy came into effect from the 2008-09 academic year.
In April 2008 we published the outcomes of the consultation on the proposals. We also issued Circular letter number 07/2008 to advise institutions on the fundability status of students for 2008-09.
Reviewing the impact of the ELQ policy
Following a request from the Government in January 2009, we are reviewing the impact of the ELQ policy annually.
As part of these reviews, the Council has been asked to investigate whether there is any evidence available of changes in the flow of students as a result of the policy.
If there is concrete evidence of a large fall in demand at national level for subjects of national strategic importance, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) would appreciate advice on:
- the scope to increase demand for that subject from those without an ELQ
- whether there is adequate provision of foundation degrees in that subject
- the scope for labour market demand for graduates in that discipline to translate into increased employer funding to support students; and only then
- whether there is a case for exempting entrants to the subject who have an ELQ from the general ELQ funding rule, or protecting the subject in other ways.
Our report on the first such annual review is now available. Its focus is on developing an evidence base that will inform subsequent annual reviews of the impact of the ELQ policy.
Our second annual review will concentrate on data collected as part of the 2009-10 HESES and HEIFES returns. We will not be collecting any new data or calling for submissions. We expect to report to BIS on this review by autumn 2010.
Review of the impact of the policy to withdraw funding for equivalent and lower qualifications
[Download Review of the impact of the policy to withdraw funding for equivalent and lower qualifications Adobe PDF 83K | Download Review of the impact of the policy to withdraw funding for equivalent and lower qualifications MS Word 118K ]
Various data were used to inform the withdrawal of funding for ELQs.
ELQs and training for church ministry
Theological training for church ministry was granted an exceptional postponement of the application of the ELQ policy, for one year from April 2008. The Government has since agreed to extend this postponement by a further year.
Sector impact assessment
In developing the ELQ policy, we have undertaken a formal assessment of the impact ELQs will have on the HE sector in terms of regulatory burden, equality and diversity, and sustainable development.
Sector impact assessment of ELQs
[ Sector impact assessment of ELQs Adobe PDF 39K | Sector impact assessment of ELQs MS Word 118K ]
Further information
For further information about ELQs, contact Alan Palmer, e-mail a.palmer@hefce.ac.uk, tel 0117 931 7340.
Last updated 16 August 2010