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1403580

registered interest
date	17/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that universities return to face-to-face teaching and in person learning.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	105401
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2022 answer text <p>Face-to-face teaching is a vital part of getting a high-quality student experience. With the removal of the Plan B measures, there are no COVID restrictions that apply to higher education (HE) and providers should ensure that they are delivering the full programme of face-to-face teaching and learning that they were providing before the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>We know that, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, HE providers have delivered new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning and some providers continue to use some of these approaches alongside in-person provision. However, online learning should only be offered to enhance the student experience, not to detract from it, and it should not be used as a cost-cutting measure. The Office for Students (OfS) will be monitoring to ensure this is the case, and that universities are being open about what students can expect.</p><p>The government expects all universities to continue to deliver excellent learning, in line with guidance from the OfS. On 29 October I wrote to all English HE providers to make clear that we expect them to be offering a high-quality face-to-face student experience and, on 17January, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education wrote an open letter to students about face-to-face teaching, setting out what they can do if they feel they are not getting the teaching they signed up for, details of which can be found here: <a href="https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/01/17/face-to-face-teaching-is-a-vital-part-of-getting-a-high-quality-student-experience-education-secretary-nadhim-zahawi-writes-to-students/" target="_blank">https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/01/17/face-to-face-teaching-is-a-vital-part-of-getting-a-high-quality-student-experience-education-secretary-nadhim-zahawi-writes-to-students/</a>. In addition, I have been speaking with some university Vice Chancellors to ensure they are offering students the amount of in-person teaching they should expect.</p><p>If students have concerns, they should first raise them with their HE provider. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at HE providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for higher education to consider their complaint.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 25/01/2022 10:03:57 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1345708

registered interest
date	12/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of face-to-face learning in universities.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	31336
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2021 answer text <p>In line with Step 4 of the government’s roadmap, there will be no further restrictions on in-person provision in the autumn term. Higher education (HE) providers are therefore able to shape their courses without restrictions on face-to-face provision. The position will be kept under review considering the latest scientific evidence and public health advice. The latest advice can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses</a>.</p><p>Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, wrote to education leaders on 8 July 2021, setting out plans as we move towards Step 4. This included the government’s expectation that HE providers offer students a full, enriching and enjoyable experience, whilst staying as safe as possible. The letter is available to read here: <a href="https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2021/07/08/a-letter-from-the-education-secretary-to-education-leaders/" target="_blank">https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2021/07/08/a-letter-from-the-education-secretary-to-education-leaders/</a>.</p><p>HE providers should therefore not be planning to restrict teaching based on COVID-19 restrictions. However, as autonomous institutions it is for providers to determine their own provision, taking account of government guidance. We understand that a number of universities have announced plans on teaching in the next academic year: some will retain an element of blended learning. We know that the COVID-19 outbreak has enabled many providers to identify new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and students will continue to benefit from these alongside in person provision. We expect all universities to act in the interest of students and provide them with a full experience and in accordance with Office for Students guidance, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/guidance-for-providers-about-student-and-consumer-protection-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/guidance-for-providers-about-student-and-consumer-protection-during-the-pandemic/</a>. HE providers should communicate clearly to their students what they can expect from planned teaching and learning so that they are able to make informed choices.</p><p>HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own fees within maximum fee limits set by the regulations, where applicable. The government has already announced that maximum fees in the 2021/22 academic year will remain at £9,250 for a standard full-time course. We also intend to freeze the maximum tuition fee caps for the 2022/23 academic year to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of higher education under control – the fifth year in succession that maximum fees have been frozen.</p><p>Whether an individual student is entitled to a refund of their tuition fees depends on the specific contractual arrangements between the provider and student. Students do have consumer rights, and it is for them to decide whether to seek to exercise these.</p><p>We recognised early on the impact the COVID-19 outbreak could have on students’ mental health and wellbeing, and we asked universities to prioritise support for this. Universities responded positively and have transformed mental health and wellbeing services. There are many examples of good practice in this area. Many universities have been actively reaching out to vulnerable students to proactively offer additional support.</p><p>We have worked closely with the OfS, to provide up to £3 million to fund the mental health platform Student Space. We have asked the OfS to allocate an additional £15 million towards student mental health, through proposed reforms to strategic priorities grant funding.</p><p>Going forward, HE providers should continue to be innovative in how they identify issues and support their students. This includes identifying appropriate technology to flag potential issues and enable students to engage in a variety of ways. As a government, we will continue to review the situation and our support in this area.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 31332 31333 31334 31335 31337 31338 question first answered 15/07/2021 15:41:59 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1230634

registered interest
date	02/09/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the contribution of universities to the local economy.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	84233
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>Universities play a significant role in their local economy, including by equipping people with skills that raise productivity and living standards, and through the wider economic contributions of students to their local area. The Government continually works with the sector and representative bodies to better understand the impact of universities, including on local economies.</p><p> </p><p>Universities regularly submit evidence on research impact relevant to their immediate geographic area for the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), with first results expected to be published in December 2020, should also enable universities to assess their civic role, as part of their approach to knowledge exchange more broadly.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 08/09/2020 11:06:15 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1146651

registered interest
date	26/09/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring that universities throughout the UK adopt system-wide planning process in addition to controls on numbers.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	291282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2019 answer text <p>Formal student number controls were phased out in 2012/13 with the exception of capped medical places to enable as many students as possible to access and succeed in higher education (HE). This has enabled record rates of 18-year olds to benefit from a university education than ever before, including from disadvantaged backgrounds. 50% of students are now choosing to study in HE and in 2018, those from disadvantaged backgrounds were 52% more likely to enter full-time HE than in 2009.</p><p> </p><p>One of the aims of the new independent regulator for HE, the Office for Students, which became operational on 1 August 2019, is to hold providers to account for delivering well-designed courses that offer successful outcomes for all of their students.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 01/10/2019 16:19:30 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1130119

registered interest
date	05/06/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department plans to take to assess the social and economic value of different university courses to (a) students and (b) taxpayers.
tabling member constituency	Cambridge
tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
uin	260661
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2019 answer text <p>We are clear that outcomes are not just about economic returns. Our higher education system transforms lives and is a great contributor to both our industrial success and the cultural life of the nation. High quality provision in a range of subjects is critical for our public services and culturally enriching for our society.</p><p>The Teaching Excellence Framework puts clear information in the hands of students about the teaching quality and outcomes they might expect to receive.</p><p>In addition, the government regularly publishes information on the benefits of higher education ranging from; research publications on student aspirations and the wider non-market benefits, to statistical publications on graduate employment and earning trends including ‘Graduate Labour Market Statistics’ and ‘Longitudinal Education Outcomes’ publications, which can be found on the gov.uk website:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/graduate-labour-market-statistics-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/graduate-labour-market-statistics-2018. </a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-higher-education-graduate-employment-and-earnings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-higher-education-graduate-employment-and-earnings. </a></p><p>The government is due to publish an updated study in the coming months on the earnings premium graduates can expect from holding a degree. The latest research, however, can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/229498/bis-13-899-the-impact-of-university-degrees-on-the-lifecycle-of-earnings-further-analysis.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/229498/bis-13-899-the-impact-of-university-degrees-on-the-lifecycle-of-earnings-further-analysis.pdf</a>.</p><p>The research suggests that over a working life, graduate returns average £170,000 for males and £250,000 for females, which takes into account the impact of loan repayments, national insurance and income tax payments.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 10/06/2019 15:54:36 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1125439

registered interest
date	08/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many university courses have a mandatory international semester.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	252099
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally.</p><p>Universities are autonomous institutions and responsible for deciding their own course structures and content, including whether periods of international study are required.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 13/05/2019 16:07:00 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

833185

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions the Government has had with UK universities on the negotiations for the UK leaving the EU.
tabling member constituency	York Outer
tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
uin	903681
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2018 answer text <p>We regularly engage with a wide range of higher education (HE) stakeholders – including universities and representative bodies such as Universities UK – at both ministerial and official levels to ensure we fully understand the sector’s priorities for EU exit. This engagement includes the High Level Stakeholder Working Group on EU Exit, Universities, Research and Innovation, which I chair as Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. This group brings together voices from across the HE and research sector, and is also attended by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union. We value this close engagement and we want to maintain a dialogue with the sector as discussions on the UK’s future relationship with the EU progress.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah grouped question UIN 903685 question first answered 01/02/2018 16:20:49 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

833186

registered interest
date	29/01/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions the Government has had with UK universities on the negotiations for the UK leaving the EU.
tabling member constituency	Brentwood and Ongar
tabling member printed	Alex Burghart
uin	903685
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2018 answer text <p>We regularly engage with a wide range of higher education (HE) stakeholders – including universities and representative bodies such as Universities UK – at both ministerial and official levels to ensure we fully understand the sector’s priorities for EU exit. This engagement includes the High Level Stakeholder Working Group on EU Exit, Universities, Research and Innovation, which I chair as Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. This group brings together voices from across the HE and research sector, and is also attended by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union. We value this close engagement and we want to maintain a dialogue with the sector as discussions on the UK’s future relationship with the EU progress.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Mr Sam Gyimah grouped question UIN 903681 question first answered 01/02/2018 16:20:49 answering member 3980 label Biography information for Mr Sam Gyimah
tabling member	4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart

808785

registered interest
date	18/12/2017
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the universities sector on mitigating any negative effect on the sector after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	North Dorset
tabling member printed	Simon Hoare
uin	119894
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2017 answer text <p>Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel</a></p><p> </p><p>The government is committed to maintaining the position of our world-class universities and is listening closely to the sector as we implement the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and begin the exit process from the European Union. The Chancellor has recently met the Russell Group in this regard.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 20/12/2017 16:39:02 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	4494 label Biography information for Simon Hoare

806661

registered interest
date	14/12/2017
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the economic effect of the UK leaving the EU on the university sector.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	119737
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2017 answer text <p>We are working closely with the higher education sector to ensure we understand the potential economic and other implications of EU exit for universities, including through the High Level Stakeholder Working Group.</p><p>We know that, in particular, arrangements for EU students and staff and access to EU research funding are key interests for the sector. These issues will need to be considered as part of wider discussions about the UK’s relationship with the EU.</p><p>The government has taken action to provide greater certainty. We announced that EU students starting their courses in the academic year 2018/19 or before will continue to be eligible for student loans and home fee status for the duration of their course, and remain eligible for Research Council PhD studentships on the current basis. The agreement we have now reached with the EU on the first phase of negotiations allows the UK to continue benefitting from EU programmes - including Horizon2020 and Erasmus+ - under this budget plan.</p><p>We frequently liaise with the Higher Education Funding Council for England on financial sustainability and soon the department will be working with the Office for Students to continue to understand the sector’s finances under the new regulatory framework.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 19/12/2017 17:35:26 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western