A briefing on:
Impact of the 2012 reforms

Demand for higher education in England

Much discussion of the reforms has focused on full-time undergraduate recruitment. We feel reasonably confident that the reforms have not – or not yet – led to the major declines in full-time numbers that some predicted.

Below we look at some of the key figures and their interpretation.

Undergraduate applications

Full-time undergraduate applications are up in 2013-14 after a fall in enrolments in 2012-13.

UK and EU applicants and entrants for full-time undergraduate courses in England

In 2012-13, there was a significant drop in the number of people starting full-time undergraduate courses – 47,000 fewer students compared with 2011-12. However, UK and European Union (EU) applications have risen in 2013-14, with 13,000 additional applicants to English institutions at the January UCAS deadline.

There are indications that fee changes are not the only cause of shifts in applications and enrolments.

‌Postgraduate recruitment

‌Recruitment to full-time postgraduate provision has held up in 2012-13.

This follows a trend of rising demand for postgraduate study over the past decade. The first students to have paid higher undergraduate fees will not generally enter postgraduate study until 2015, so we do not yet know what impact the reforms will have in this area and therefore we cannot assume that this steady position will continue in future.

‌Part-time entrants

‌There has been a significant decline in part-time entrants at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Since 2010, part-time undergraduate entrants have fallen by 105,000 (40 per cent), while on postgraduate programmes the fall was 25,000 (27 per cent).

International recruitment

Study in England continues to be a popular choice for students from the other UK countries.

There are different tuition fee and student support arrangements in the four countries of the UK. This could affect students’ choices.

However, recruitment from other parts of the UK and other countries in the EU accounts for only 7.5 per cent of all UCAS applicants accepted at English institutions, so fluctuations in cross-border flows are unlikely to have a significant impact in England.

Changes in flows of total undergraduate and postgraduate students from outside the EU in 2011-12

Numbers of international students applying to UK universities and colleges are continuing to grow in 2013-14.

The latest UCAS figures, which include around half of the international students applying to study in England, show a 9 per cent increase in the numbers of applicants from outside the EU to English universities and colleges in 2013-14 compared to the previous year. 

This continues a growing trend in applications and enrolments. However, increased competition from universities in other countries and changes to immigration policies may ultimately have a much greater impact on international recruitment than the student finance reforms.

‌Are students undertaking postgraduate study?

HEFCE action

HEFCE is seeking early information about how students’ views of postgraduate study might change in future. For example, as a pilot in 2013, a survey of students’ intentions after graduation will be attached to the National Student Survey. This will enable us to compare the attitudes towards postgraduate study of those students entering undergraduate education prior to the 2012
reforms with those of students entering since the reforms.

In 2013-14 we are providing around £130 million for students undertaking postgraduate taught programmes, and £240 million for postgraduate research students through the research degree programme supervision fund.

We are currently analysing progression rates to postgraduate study of students from different backgrounds and equality groups, and by different types of institution. We aim to publish this research alongside a comprehensive overview of the evidence later in 2013. We will consider postgraduate issues in our national strategy for access and student success, for example working to identify further postgraduate widening participation indicators to inform future strategy and funding approaches.

We have commissioned a research project to investigate what information prospective taught postgraduate students might need to help them make decisions about studying.

Are people taking up part-time courses?

HEFCE action

We need to develop a deeper understanding of the risks of large and swift declines in part-time numbers as well as the opportunities for broadening learning in flexible and innovative provision. Key actions include:

  • Continued funding for part-time learning on the same basis as for full-time provision, including for high-cost subjects, widening participation and improving retention, and to support flexible learning including accelerated and intensive courses.
  • Developing a more detailed evidence base on issues affecting part-time provision, including in particular the impact on mature students, and supporting the Universities UK review of how part-time provision can be better developed to meet the needs of students, the UK’s future skills needs and enhancing social mobility in the UK.
  • Joint work with the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) to develop a national strategy for promoting access and student success, including maintaining and if possible enhancing a focus onequality and diversity in higher education. This will include a focus on particular issues for part-time students.
  • Continuing to allow part-time provision to operate outside student number controls, providing flexibility for universities and colleges to increase provision in this area.

Leave your comment

comments powered by Disqus

Page last updated 13 March 2013

Share this: