Overview

The Higher Education (Information) Bill mandates the provision of key information to prospective undergraduate students regarding tuition fees, their allocation, and student expectations. This aims to increase transparency in how universities spend tuition fees.

Description

This bill requires higher education institutions in England and Wales to provide a designated body with specific data. This data, detailed in a schedule, includes both institutional and course-specific information. The designated body will then publish this information for easy access and comparison by prospective students.

Institutional Information:

• Proportion of teaching staff with relevant qualifications.
• Spending per student on academic and student services.
• Proportion of additional fee income spent on widening access.
• Average cost of university-owned accommodation and availability.
• Average cost of private rental accommodation in the area.
• Number and resolution of student complaints.

Course Information:

• Student feedback on course feedback quality.
• Student retention rates.
• Graduate employment outcomes six months after graduation.
• Average course fees and additional costs.
• Proportion of students with work placements.
• Details of fee waivers and student household income.
• Professional body recognition.
• Average graduate salaries at different points post-graduation.
• Teaching and private study hours.
• Assessment methods.
• Proportion of teaching by academic staff.
• UCAS tariff scores of entrants.

The Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers will each designate a responsible body to oversee this process. The bill allows for amendments to the required information through a process of public consultation and parliamentary approval.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify government spending. Its implementation may involve costs associated with the designation of a responsible body, the development of guidance, and potentially enforcement, but no specific figures are included in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Prospective undergraduate students: Will benefit from increased transparency and more informed choices.
• Higher education institutions: Will be required to collect and submit data, potentially impacting administrative workload.
• Designated bodies: Will be responsible for data collection, publication and potentially dispute resolution.
• Government: Will be responsible for designating the responsible body and overseeing the process.

Powered by nyModel