Students not getting “value for money”
Many students are not getting a good value higher education compared to the cost, MPs have warned.
The Government is currently reviewing post-18 education, trying to improve the benefits students receive.
Only 32% of students said their course was good value for money in 2016, down from 50% in 2011 - according to a report from the National Audit Office (NOA).
With 87 of the top 90 universities in England charging the maximum £9,000 for every course, many suggest there’s need for change.
These fees lead to the average student graduating with £50,000 of debt, which can be even higher for students from poorer backgrounds who may be eligible for greater loans.
However, the number of students from lowest participation areas has increased from 2011 and now over a quarter of students come from these backgrounds.
Despite this rise, 59% of students still came from the more affluent highest participation areas.
The NOA suggest these participation areas closely correlate to socio-economic status, meaning students from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds may have fewer opportunities.
The Government investigation will produce the Augar report which is due to be published in early 2019.
