Students make a significant personal and financial investment when deciding to go to university. The UK higher education sector teaches approximately 2.3 million students (2013-14). It is essential that higher education providers ensure that students get a fair deal and actively support them to achieve their learning goals. Universities do this by:
- Giving students confidence that financial resources are being used in the best way possible
- Ensuring that students have a positive experience in an active learning community
- Maintaining a fair and balanced relationship that addresses the requirement of consumer law in partnership with students
UK universities continually review their practice ensure that they offer the best deal to students. It is essential that reforms to regulation and market entry proposed in the recent White Paper protect the interests and rights of students and prevent transient, low quality or negligent providers entering into the system.
Value for money
Universities have a responsibility to students and other stakeholders to demonstrate they are using resources in the best possible way to achieve their objectives. Students are interested in how their university spends money, but may find information on this difficult to understand or access.
Universities are working with their students to make their financial information more accessible. This has included working closely with students and their students unions to ensure information presented in a clear, engaging and accessible ways. Examples are available here: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/lt/financetransparency/
A positive learning experience
UK universities endeavour to ensure that students are happy with their study experience and outcomes. Universities actively engage with their student body to gather feedback on courses and the overall learning experience. This includes evaluation of programmes and modules, institutional and sector surveys such as the national student survey, as well and dialogue and engagement with student unions.
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