Degrees for the Future: A New Way of Providing Higher Education

Confirmed Speakers:

• Sir Rodney Brooke CBE, Chairman, QAA Board & Advisory Committee on Degree Awarding Powers
• Graeme Atherton, Director, AccessHE
• Chris Waterman, Editor, Children’s Services Weekly (chair)

The Context & Issues:

Overhauling the current criteria for degree-awarding powers is an essential component of the Government’s vision for higher education. In combination with recent changes to student number controls, the reforms have the potential to radically alter the way in which higher education is provided. But how can colleges, universities and non-teaching bodies realise the vision for a flexible, diverse HE offering for students?

Key issues to be addressed at this Policy & Practice Briefing will include:

• How will planned reform of the criteria for degree-awarding powers affect FECs?
• How are validating arrangements evolving?
• What can be done to improve college-university partnerships?
• How can HEIs & FECs establish effective links with non-teaching bodies?
• To what extent should degrees be tailored to promote employability?
• Is there scope for a more flexible HE in FE offering that maintains standards?
• What impact will DAP reforms & FE loans have on widening participation?

Objectives and Outcomes:

Improve your understanding of current and future Government policy. The morning session will give you the chance to examine the unfolding affects of reforms to DAP criteria and student number controls.

Learn from organisations that are successfully putting policy into practice. The afternoon session will allow you to examine specific examples of current and proposed partnerships between colleges, universities and non-teaching bodies.

Who Should Attend?

Delegates will be drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including: colleges, universities, private sector organisations, employers, central government departments and agencies and charities.