Student funding in England fit for purpose, says UUK

The system of student funding in England does not require wholesale reform and needs to be given time to work, a panel established by the vice-chancellors’ group Universities UK has reported.

The panel was established by UUK in 2014 to consider the design of the student fees and loan system in England and review its ability to deliver value for money for students, be financially sustainable for government and allow universities to deliver an outstanding learning experience. 

Its final report, published on 15 June, says that the funding system is “broadly fit for purpose, does not require wholesale reform and needs to be given time to work”. It adds that applications to undertake undergraduate study have increased steadily from all socioeconomic groups despite the funding reforms introduced by the coalition Conservative and Liberal Democrat government in 2012, which increased the maximum undergraduate tuition fee from £3,000 to £9,000 a year.