Overview

This bill mandates that all publicly funded further and higher education institutions in England and Wales allocate places based solely on merit for undergraduate courses, with limited exceptions.

Description

The Further and Higher Education (Access) Bill aims to ensure that all publicly funded further and higher education institutions in England and Wales allocate student places based on merit. "Merit," as defined in the bill, encompasses academic ability, potential, and aptitude, as assessed by the institution.

Key Provisions:

• Merit-Based Allocation: Institutions must prioritize applicants based on merit unless specific exceptions apply (see below).
• Definition of Merit: Merit is defined as academic ability, potential, and aptitude as determined by the institution.
• Exemptions: The bill allows for exceptions where places are restricted to specific applicant categories based on criteria other than merit, provided these restrictions are clearly stated when applications are open.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies to England and Wales only.
• Enforcement: The bill does not specify a mechanism for enforcement.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not directly stated within the provided text. The bill itself does not allocate funds or directly impact existing funding streams. However, indirectly, ensuring allocation based solely on merit may have budgetary consequences depending on the student body composition before and after implementation.

Groups Affected

• Further and Higher Education Institutions: These institutions will be directly affected, needing to adapt their admissions processes to prioritize merit-based selection.
• Students: Student applicants will be affected by the change in admissions criteria. Those who may have previously gained admission based on other factors might find their chances reduced.
• Government: The government will need to oversee the implementation and ensure compliance with the new law.

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