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<p>The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 established a new independent regulator
in England, the Office for Students (OfS). The act gives the OfS powers to assess
the quality and standards applied to higher education by English providers.</p><p>The
government has made it clear in guidance to the OfS that grade inflation must be tackled.
In their strategy, attached, the OfS includes ensuring “qualifications hold their
value over time” as a key objective. In December 2018, the OfS published analysis
of changes in degree classifications between 2010-11 and 2016-17, which is attached.
This includes data on the University of Surrey and the University of Bradford.</p><p>On
24 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education called for universities
to end the steep rise of “unjustifiable” first class degrees which is a threat to
the world class reputation of the university sector, and risks undermining the efforts
of hard working students. The government expects the OfS, when it has its full range
of powers, to challenge those institutions that record an unjustifiable rise in the
proportion of top degrees being awarded.</p><p>The OfS’ statutory powers are on course
to be strengthened through new regulations due to be laid in Parliament later this
year, which will allow the OfS to levy fines of up to £500,000 or 2% of a university’s
income (whichever is higher). The UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment is
developing sector-recognised standards to ensure that all degree awards are consistent
and fair - due to be completed this academic year. Together, these measures will strengthen
the regulator’s ability to challenge universities with unwarranted grade inflation
and hold them to account.</p><p>Any university found to be damaging students’ interests
could be subject to sanctions such as placing additional conditions on their registration,
fines, or in the worst case scenario removing a university’s powers to award degrees.</p><p>
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