In the first formal output from the newly founded Policy Perspectives Network (PPN), the ten university members have focused on the uncertainty surrounding the future of foundation years, following 2019’s Augar Review which proposed to withdraw funding for university-based FY provision.
The Government’s interim conclusion to the Augar Review, published in January this year, included plans for a consultation on the treatment of FY students, of which there are currently 55,000 in English universities.
According to the Office for Students, the number of FY entrants in higher education institutions trebled between 2012-13 and 2017-18. In 2017/18, 32% of students on FYs in universities came from a disadvantaged background, up from 25% in 2011/12.
In the PPN’s first policy paper, led by Sheffield Hallam University, the ten universities argue that foundation years provide a unique contribution to the system, including delivery of four key sector objectives: Opening up opportunities for underrepresented students; providing a second chance for study, particularly for under-attaining or mature students; building skills and confidence to progress to a full degree and beyond; and, a pipeline to STEM and a route to addressing skills shortages.
The analysis also points to the importance of FY provision in universities given the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on educational and economic opportunity.
The paper, which pools data from the ten PPN members, including direct student feedback, has been sent to the Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan MP, with a collective position that removing support for FY students in universities would be short sighted.
The report concludes: “Foundation years provide an important platform for reaching disadvantaged students, building skills and confidence, and responding to local skills shortages. Current policy uncertainty undermines the capacity of universities to invest and innovate in its foundation year provision. We need to move beyond this, if this type of provision is to continue to provide an important avenue to educational opportunity in the future.”
The Policy Perspectives Network has been developed to complement existing sector bodies and mission groups, based on agendas of collective importance to the institutions. Members are Aston, Essex, Kent, Lincoln, Manchester Metropolitan, Middlesex, Northampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Sheffield Hallam.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The Policy Perspectives Network has been created to provide evidence-based, on-the-ground insight for important higher education policy issues. In this first report, the Network has set out a compelling case for the future of foundation years within the higher education ecosystem.
“Our collective institutional analysis, which includes insights from students and stakeholders, is very clear about the positive impact of foundation years, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We now urge the government to look at the data and talk to universities before making its final conclusions later this year.”
Read the full report. (PDF, 295.8KB)
