Students no doubt already feel that they should receive high quality teaching in return for their £9,000 per annum tuition fees, and student satisfaction surveys demonstrate how much value students put on their job prospects upon graduation. Today it's revealed that some universities may be able to charge higher tuition fees, in return for higher quality teaching, and better job prospects. We read regularly that opportunities for graduates are on the rise, yet employers struggle to recruit enough high-skilled and talented graduates.
This potential fee increase surely raises interesting questions around social mobility and access for all backgrounds to the best quality education, but it also potentially gives more transparency to both employers and students, as well as highlighting the key role that Careers teams play in a student's experience at University and success upon graduation, and how vital it is that this team is strong, both in their qualifications and credibility, as well as their up to date knowledge and links with industry.
Fees will be able to rise in line with inflation above £9,000 for students starting in 2017-18 for universities considered to offer high quality teaching, based on inspections. The government will announce in 2016-17 which universities will be able to increase their fees. A further mechanism for measuring teaching quality, the Teaching Excellence Framework, will be phased in over four years. There are also suggestions that it should be made easier for students to switch courses and universities. New watchdog The policy is aimed at encouraging more new and innovative providers into England's higher education system, with ministers saying that the jobs market needs increasing numbers of high-skilled graduates.