Higher Education under the Coalition: Are all students at the heart of the system? Kate Byford Brunel University

Outline Overview of Coalition policy changes Implications for higher education (HE) institutions Implications for students PhD Research

Collation developments White Paper: Students at the heart of the system “a more responsive higher education sector in which funding follows the decisions of learners and successful institutions are freed to thrive... more responsive to student choice, that provides a better student experience and that helps improve social mobility.” (BIS 2011:8)

Student numbers AAB (uncapped) Margin (Bidding) Core (Capped)

Implications for institutions Control Competition Course portfolio Student ‘package’ - KIS Cost reduction and ‘low wastage’ Uncertainty...

Implications for students Shifting role ▫ ‘Active’ consumers ▫ Co-producers Choice ▫ Information ▫ Resources ▫ Skills Access Uncertainty...

PhD Research The impact of tuition fees on students’ HE choices ▫ How are students deciding whether to go HE? ▫ How are students deciding which institution to attend? ▫ How are students rationalise their decision making? GenderSocial classEthnicityDisability Education background

Methodology Mixed methods ▫ Questionnaire ▫ Interviews Sample ▫ 1 st year under-graduates ▫ Ages 16 – 18 ▫ Schools and Colleges in Greater London

June 2013 – September 2014 Analysis and write up September 2012 – July 2013 Data collection October 2011 – September 2012 i) Literature review ii) Methodology iii) Ethics

Please contact: Kate Byford Brunel University, School of Sport and Education, Heinz Wolff Building