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<p>The government recognises the importance of the creative arts to the economy and
the UK. High-quality provision in a range of subjects is critical for our workforce
and our public services. It is also culturally enriching for our society, which is
why the government awarded nearly £8million directly to creative universities as part
of the Culture Recovery Fund.</p><p> </p><p>The Office for Students (OfS) has increased
the high-cost subject funding rate per student for performing and creative arts and
media studies to £125.76, a rise of 3.51% from the previous year, for the 2022/23
academic year. The department has also increased funding for world-leading specialist
providers, including 11 providers specialising in the arts, by an additional £5 million
in the 2022/23 financial year, on top of the increase of £10 million provided in the
2021/22 financial year. The department wants to ensure that such providers receive
additional support, and that grant funding is used effectively to support students,
including those with an interest in the cultural and creative sectors.</p><p> </p><p>In
January 2021, the former Secretary of State for Education reprioritised the Strategic
Priorities Grant (SPG). This was to ensure value for money, support strategic priorities
across the sector, including provision of courses vital for the economy and labour
markets, and continued support for disadvantaged students and underrepresented groups.
This resulted in the high-cost subject funding rate for some arts and music courses
to be set at £121.50, down from £243 in 2020/21. This reallocation of grant funding
amounted to about 0.05% of affected providers’ estimated total income.</p><p> </p><p>The
OfS consulted on the proposals and published its conclusions on their website. The
consultation responses were carefully analysed. The issues raised were considered
by both the OfS and the former Secretary of State in reaching their respective decisions
about the allocation of the SPG in 2021/22.</p><p> </p><p>The department considers
that access to higher education should be based on a student’s attainment and their
ability to succeed, rather than their background. In 2021, 18-year-olds from disadvantaged
backgrounds were 82% more likely to go to university than in 2010. There are also
more disadvantaged students at university today than at any other point in our history.</p><p>
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