RISKY BUSINESS: It might become easier for UK higher-ed institutions to award degrees. The Higher Education and Research Bill, a piece of legislation currently floating before Parliament, could grant providers “the same powers from the day they launch for a three-year probationary period,” compared to a process that previously took up to six years, the Guardian reports. Supporting ministers from the UK Department of Education say the policy change could ramp up competition and give students more higher education options.
However, a report by think tank Higher Education Policy Institute suggests that opening up the sector to more private providers—and startups—could be detrimental to the reputation and regulation of the UK’s higher-ed institutions.
“While [the Higher Education and Research Bill] removes some barriers to market entry, the new high-speed approval system for degree-awarding powers is a risk too far,” report co-author John Fielden said.
