In this section we share some information and links to developments and resources from the Department of Education, the Office for Students and the Quality Assurance Agency which may be of interest. Please get in touch with qaco@kent.ac.uk for further information.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
In September 2023, the UK Government passed The Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill which will introduce new fee limits based on credits.
The idea is to replace the current student loan system with a Lifelong learning Entitlement loan.
Under the LLE, tuition fee limits will be based on credits. This is instead of being based on the number of academic years in the course, as is the case under the existing system. There will be a maximum financial amount per credit and a maximum number of credits that can be charged for in each course year, which will be set by the government.
The new system will be introduced in a phased approach from the academic year 25/26, starting with LLE funding being available for designated courses at Office for Student registered providers before being expanded to new students on more courses throughout 27/28.
Detailed information about what is currently know is available in the Department for Education Policy Paper.
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has published a blog about the operationalisation of the scheme.
QACO, in collaboration with other relevant departments of the university, will provide further guidance on any implications for our existing and new courses in due time.
Freedom of Speech in Higher Education
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 has introduced new duties on higher education providers and student unions to take reasonable steps to secure free speech on campus. As a result, the Office for Students (OfS) has been given more powers to regulate institutions and student unions on free speech issues, likely from August 2024.
The OfS is currently consulting on amendments to their Regulatory Framework and on the recovery of costs for a new free speech complaints scheme in relation to these powers.
Details about the implication of the Act and OfS’s proposed implementation as well as options for responding to the consultation can be found on the OfS website. The consultation will end on 26 May 2024.
Higher Education Apprenticeship Toolkit
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) have launched a toolkit and policy paper about degree and higher apprenticeships which can be accessed by all universities staff through our QAA membership
In this section we share some information and links to developments and resources from the Department of Education, the Office for Students and the Quality Assurance Agency which may be of interest. Please get in touch with qaco@kent.ac.uk for further information.