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Lots of calls for universities to ignore downgrades and respect offers. But even if they wanted to, they couldn't
In June, the government introduced financial penalties for any uni exceeding the new student numbers cap. If they go over even by one, they'll face huge fines
In June, the government introduced financial penalties for any uni exceeding the new student numbers cap. If they go over even by one, they'll face huge fines
The fines take the form of reductions in the fee limit for universities. If they break the cap, all full-time undergraduates will pay less than £9,250 the next academic year
One top university tells me that would result in financial penalties of £10-20 million
One top university tells me that would result in financial penalties of £10-20 million
For Russell Group universities, the situation is especially difficult. They over-offered in order to fill places. Now they're hard against the cap
Yet ministers - who, remember, set these rules barely a month ago - are urging them to be flexible https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/13/top-universities-accused-of-inflexibility-over-a-level-downgrades
Yet ministers - who, remember, set these rules barely a month ago - are urging them to be flexible https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/13/top-universities-accused-of-inflexibility-over-a-level-downgrades
Of course universities can't take all the students they've offered places to, especially not when they've over-offered by as much as they did this year
But they could take more students from under-represented groups
But they could take more students from under-represented groups
In fact, universities are under strict instruction to take more students from under-represented groups, as part of what's called "widening participation". This is a major strategic goal of higher education in the UK
This is how one university describes those groups. You may notice a certain similarity here - they're also the exact groups penalised by the marking algorithm
But, because of the cap, top universities can't be flexible
But, because of the cap, top universities can't be flexible
You may be wondering how many students each university can take. Sorry, but this is regarded as commercially confidential information
It's an odd arrangement, to the least - and its flaws were pointed out at the time https://wonkhe.com/blogs/student-number-controls-are-back-with-deadly-penalties-for-over-recruitment/
It's an odd arrangement, to the least - and its flaws were pointed out at the time https://wonkhe.com/blogs/student-number-controls-are-back-with-deadly-penalties-for-over-recruitment/
If you're at a university working in clearing/confirmation, I'd love to hear from you. My DMs are open. [email protected]
Or if you've been asked to sign an NDA, please get in touch. Happy to speak confidentially - ask for Signal https://twitter.com/rowlsmanthorpe/status/1294308456623726592?s=19
Or if you've been asked to sign an NDA, please get in touch. Happy to speak confidentially - ask for Signal https://twitter.com/rowlsmanthorpe/status/1294308456623726592?s=19
