Lammy announces ‘next steps’ towards a better deal for students

The group will report later this year, making a significant contribution to the Government’s moves to improve information available to students across the HE sector and to ensure the highest quality student experience.

The agreements would detail the mutual obligations of students and their institutions, covering such issues as expectations about personal support from tutors, formal contact time and feedback on course work, as well as the responsibilities of students such as private study time.

David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education said:

“The most important element of higher education is its students. As we said in Higher Ambitions, to make the right choice about where to study and to get the best out of their time at university, students need good quality information about what to expect and what’s required of them. Today’s announcement is the next step towards a better deal for students.”

“Since the introduction of variable fees, students have rightly become more focused on the return they get from their own investment in their future. Higher education is a two-way process involving a partnership between the student and their institution and it is fitting that the membership of the group reflects this.”

The Group, convened by Higher Education Minister David Lammy MP, will be jointly chaired by NUS president Wes Streeting and Professor Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes. Beginning with an examination of current practice across the sector, the Group’s report will provide a toolkit for institutions and students’ unions to use when developing institutional charters, including an agreed list of topics they should cover.

Steve Smith, President of Universities UK welcomed the initiative:

“We are delighted to collaborate with the NUS on this initiative. All UK universities are committed to communicating effectively with students about their expectations and experience at university. This is a vital step in taking this work further, supporting an open relationship between universities and their students and helping to ensure the future success of the sector.”

Wes Streeting, NUS President and co-chair of the new Group pledged his support:

"Too often vague promises are made in shiny prospectuses, raising students' expectations beyond what's deliverable in practice. This has led to increasing student and wider public concern about quality and standards across the board. It's absolutely right that the government should act as a champion for students' rights and interests and support this work to make it much clearer what we can expect from teaching, facilities and support while offering clear redress when it isn't delivered."

Professor Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and co-chair of the new Group said:

"I'm extremely happy to be jointly chairing this group. Both students and institutions invest a lot of time, money and effort to ensure people graduate successfully and it is important that we work together to get the best return on the investment we all put in. This group is a great opportunity to work with students and across the sector to ensure the English higher education experience is the very best it can be, I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with the NUS.”

GuildHE have also offered their support for the group.

The Group will deliver its report to the Minister for Higher Education, as well as NUS, UUK, GuildHE and HEFCE in December 2010.  BIS will publish the report.