A group of MPs have delivered a scathing attack on the higher education sector, claiming that it doesn’t represent value for money.
The Education Select Committee, a group of MPs from a range of parties who investigate the education sector, released a report earlier in the week which criticised excessive salaries for vice-chancellors, a lack of opportunity for disadvantaged students and a rise in unconditional offers.
It comes after a recent report by the body which represents universities, Universities UK, found that 30% of undergraduate students don’t feel they have enough information on the long-term cost of studying at university.
The ‘Value for money in higher education’ report recommended that universities publish where tuition fee money is spent, include more periods of work experience in undergraduate courses and offer more degree apprenticeships.
But the University of Lincoln says that it does represent value for money.
A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “A university degree is an investment into your future.
“At Lincoln, we have invested more than £350 million into our campus and facilities over the past two decades, and we attract academic staff from around the world, contributing to the exceptional student experience at Lincoln.
“We rank in the top ten for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey and 22nd in the Guardian University Guide, and we were awarded Gold, the highest rating possible, in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017.”
The committee’s inquiry into value for money was first launched late last year, and since then has heard evidence from Government ministers, vice chancellors and members of the universities regulator, the Office for Students.
It comes amid an ongoing review into post-18 education that was ordered by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, last year – and which is due to deliver its findings in early 2019.
The report also called for the Office for Students to lay out strict criteria for what an acceptable level of vice-chancellor pay is; for more flexible degrees, such as two-year accelerated courses, to be looked into and for maintenance grants, where low-income students are offered extra cash on top of their loan which they don’t need to repay, are re-introduced.
A University of Lincoln spokesperson added: “Among our most recent graduates, 96 per cent were in work or further study six months after finishing their course with more than 80 per cent in graduate level roles.
“Various studies have shown that in the UK graduates typically have higher employment rates than non-graduates and will on average earn substantially more over their working life than those without a degree.
“As an exempt charity, any surpluses the University makes are ultimately invested back in to the University.
“Income and expenditure, including senior pay, is published in our annual financial statements.”