Universities set for major change

The entire university sector faces a major overhaul

Universities face major changes, from scrapping the traditional academic year to throwing out the current degree grading system, senior academics say.

More support is needed for part-time students and contracts for academic staff must also be more flexible.

The proposals are set out in a series of papers published as part of a review of the higher education sector, ordered by Universities Secretary John Denham.

The review comes ahead of an analysis of tuition fees due out next year.

A study on part-time study by Christine King, vice-chancellor of Staffordshire University, said the distinction between full-time and part-time study was becoming blurred.

It noted that the traditional academic calendar was unhelpful to part-time students who work while studying.

If the government wants its higher education debate to have any credibility it must take on board the views of practitioners Sally Hunt, University and College Union

"Certainly traditional university systems, timetables and calendars are constructed with little reference to the world of employment," Professor King said.

The paper argued for students to receive "credit" for every module they completed, and the opportunity to use those if they dropped out and returned to higher education later on.

A paper by Professor Paul Ramsden, former pro vice-chancellor of Sydney University and head of the Higher Education Academy, called for a reform of the degree honours classification system.

It argued that the current system of first, second and third class degrees was no longer "fit for purpose" and should be replaced with a detailed report card.

He also suggested greater flexibility for academic staff, saying there was still no career structure in most higher education (HE) institutions for staff who wished to specialise in teaching.

A paper by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) said students needed more information about different universities.

It suggested universities be made to publish more details about the benefits they offer students, such as what sort of job prospects their graduates could expect.

'Hear more voices'

Mr Denham declined to say how many of the recommendations would be taken on board.

Mr Denham ordered the review of higher education in February

"I am sure they will provoke many different reactions. I want to hear more voices and opinions," he said.

"The question of how we can ensure we have a world-class system of higher education is one that everyone has a stake in.

"I'm not going to say at this stage what my own reactions to the reports are. But I will be publishing a framework document for the future of higher education next year."

Views of academic staff 'ignored'

The University and College Union (UCU) said the government had not invited a "genuine critique of policy".

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "There will always be different points of view and it is imperative that the government takes them all on board.

"We find it astonishing that the secretary of state failed to ensure that those genuinely representing the people tasked with delivering government policy on the ground - the staff - were afforded the opportunity to contribute to, or review, the submissions.

"If the government wants its higher education debate to have any credibility it must take on board the views of practitioners."

Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter and Chair of the 1994 Group, said: "This marks an important first stage in the process which will lead to a review of fees in 2009. It is essential that the momentum towards the fee review isn't lost."

A spokeswoman for DIUS said the department was seeking views from a wide range of experts.

"As well as contributions from within the sector we have asked for views from those who benefit from the sector, including people from industry and the arts.

"We have also asked the National Student Forum to debate the issues raised in the reviews at their next meeting and are inviting members of the public and the academic community to give their views through the online debate on our website."

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