The report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) suggests the need for ‘student number controls’ to prevent top universities from reducing their entry requirements in response to declining numbers. According to the study published by HEPI, the population of 18-year-old home fee-paying students has been increasing since 2019 but is projected to decline by 17 percent by 2040 after reaching a peak in 2030. The report highlights the non-linear relationship between demand and population, indicating that despite a decrease in the 18-year-old population from 2010 to 2020, there was an increase in young entrants to universities. However, in the last two admissions cycles, there has been a stagnation in participation, signaling a decline in interest in higher education.
The author of the report, Bahram Bekhradnia, warns that if participation continues to drop, top universities may lower their entry requirements to attract more students, leading to a decrease in demand for less prestigious institutions. He calls for the implementation of ‘student number controls’ to prevent the demise of perfectly good universities due to the competitive actions of others.
The report also suggests that increasing participation among underserved populations, such as men and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, could help mitigate the decline in student numbers. Additionally, encouraging mature students to enroll in universities may also contribute to addressing the issue, although 18-year-olds remain the dominant group among full-time entrants.
While the decline in student numbers is partly attributed to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report also points to a potentially ‘hostile environment’ created by the government, which may have influenced the perception of the value of higher education among potential students and their parents. Financial pressures are already impacting universities, with closures and mergers becoming a likely scenario in the future.
In response to the report, the Department for Education emphasized the role of the Office for Students (OfS) in ensuring the financial health of universities in the long term. Universities UK (UUK) acknowledged the decline in home student numbers but emphasized the need for universities to adapt to changing demographics and cater to student demand. The Russell Group refuted claims of lowering entrance requirements, stating that higher-tariff institutions maintain high standards in their admissions process to ensure positive outcomes for their graduates. Please rewrite the following sentence:
“The cat jumped over the fence and ran into the backyard.”
The cat leaped over the fence and dashed into the backyard.
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