Go gently: Why significant policy change will require nuance

What are the challenges facing the future of the higher education sector?

Firstly, of course, there is sector funding. We have now had the Government’s long-awaited response to the Augar recommendations, and we have, at least in part, a better understanding of the direction of policy.

In light of what has been projected to be a £560 billion liability for the proportion of student loans which remain unrepaid by the middle of this century, the Government is looking to develop a suite of proposals for reform which aim to balance what are not mutually inclusive goals: namely, continuing participation, a more balanced contribution to the cost of higher education between students and the taxpayer, and a focus on the quality and employability outcomes of courses offered by universities.