Vice-Chancellor Demands Review of Student Loans for Those Without A-Levels
A prominent vice-chancellor has publicly challenged the eligibility of students without A-levels for government-backed student loans, as part of a broader push to address England's deepening university funding crisis. Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, described the sector as confronting an "almost existential challenge" compounded by dwindling public support, necessitating a radical overhaul of higher education financing.
A System in Crisis
Tickell, speaking at a conference in London, highlighted the paradox of the current system: "We have a system where more state money goes in, students are more indebted and universities are on the brink of failure." He argued that marginal adjustments are insufficient, stating, "In terms of the taxpayer, the provider and the student, the system just isn't working ... I don't think tweaking the margins will really address things."
He specifically called for a review to examine the qualifications, such as A-levels or equivalents, required for students to successfully undertake undergraduate degrees. Tickell emphasised that loans should not be accessible to those lacking the necessary qualifications to complete their courses, noting, "We are getting students without a single A-level or equivalent getting access to the student loan book," and adding, "We're investing so much money in people who ... are not really capable of graduating."
Mounting Financial Pressures
Tickell is the first senior figure in higher education to openly question the policy of automatically granting domestic students access to government-backed loans, which now average £53,000 per graduate. In England, any first-time student admitted by a university is eligible for loans covering tuition fees and maintenance, with approximately one-third of school leavers proceeding directly to university.
However, successive governments have allowed tuition fees to be eroded by inflation, resulting in significant losses for universities teaching domestic undergraduates. The loan system introduced in 2012 has also faced backlash from graduates burdened with mounting debts, as the government adjusts repayment terms amid a sluggish job market.
At the British Academy conference, Tickell posed critical questions: "Now is the time to ask: what does the public want from universities? How do we want to fund it? How many people do we want to go to university? And I think those are really difficult questions, because as providers, it's hard enough already."
International Student Dependence and Government Hostility
Universities have attempted to balance their budgets by enrolling more international students, using their higher fees to subsidise domestic teaching and research. Yet, government visa restrictions have made it increasingly difficult to attract international students, exacerbating financial strains.
Tickell warned of potential government hostility, saying, "We could have a government that is utterly hostile to the sector and, unless we have some answers, we could be in real trouble."
Diverging Views on Funding Solutions
Philip Augar, who led the 2019 review of England's higher education funding, advocated at the conference for splitting teaching costs between students and the government, as originally intended in 2012 when undergraduate fees were raised to £9,000 annually. Augar criticised the current imbalance, stating, "Some graduates are now paying 70% in loans, some are paying 83% – this is not 50-50, it is the privatisation of university teaching," and labelled the situation "unfair and wrong."
In contrast, Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, expressed reluctance towards another funding review, citing the government's recent white paper on post-16 education. Stern cautioned, "It is too febrile and unpredictable to open up a Pandora's box when we don't know what we're asking for ... If we are going to end with a review then the focus should be tightly constrained."
The debate underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to safeguard the future of higher education in England, as stakeholders grapple with funding shortfalls and evolving public expectations.
