‘Don’t cut foundation year fees, but end loans for poor courses’

Student finance should be withdrawn from foundation year courses in England that deliver poor outcomes for students, according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute.

Last year, the Department for Education cut the maximum fees for some foundation courses – which are an additional year of study designed to prepare students for degree-level study – from £9,250 to £5,760.

The Hepi report notes that while proponents of foundation years say they can boost access, critics argue many are low quality and not necessary for students.

It argues there is significant room for improvement, both in the way higher education institutions use foundation years and in how the government has responded to them.

Researchers found there has been an “explosive” eightfold increase in foundation year enrolment in a decade – from 8,500 in 2011-12 to more than 69,000 students in 2021-22.

The report found big differences between foundation years and undergraduate courses: business and management students account for over half of foundation year students, but just 13 per cent of undergraduate students. And while full-time undergraduates have a dropout rate of 9 per cent, the report found more than a quarter of foundation year students drop out.

The findings also show that nearly 30 per cent of foundation year students possess no prior qualifications and 64 per cent are mature students, meaning the courses excel in providing access to higher education. However, almost three-quarters study at low-tariff institutions, with just 4 per cent at high-tariff institutions.

Hepi also said some institutions may be using foundation years to inflate their tariff scores artificially.

“In the blink of an eye, and without proper scrutiny, foundation year courses have become extraordinarily popular,” said Josh Freeman, Hepi’s policy manager and author of the report.

“Many of these courses are excellent, giving opportunities to students with incredible potential but [who] need more support to succeed in higher education. But many others are not doing justice to students, who, despite giving significant money, time and energy, are not getting the degree they were promised.”

The report recommends that student finance should be withdrawn from foundation year courses that do not deliver excellent outcomes for students, and that institutions should also be obliged to repay their grant for courses which do not reach the required quality standard.

Mr Freeman criticised the government’s “simplistic” policy of cutting fees for business and humanities courses, which are the only classroom-based foundation years that could still be economically viable.

Hepi recommends that the cut in the maximum fee for classroom-based courses should not be introduced and all courses should be able to charge the same maximum fee. It also urges high-tariff institutions to consider the possibilities for foundation year courses to increase access.

“It's time for everyone to wake up,” added Mr Freeman. “Universities shouldn’t be running these courses unless they can be confident they can properly support every single student.

“And the Office for Students should make a serious attempt to distinguish excellent foundation year courses from those which fail to meet quality standards.”

The report also calls for the DfE to publish data on foundation years, with a breakdown by provider and subject, on an annual basis.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com