The Open University has called on the Government to make sure it\u00a0considers the full range of\u00a0study options available to students as it develops its higher education policy.<\/p>\n
In November 2015, the Government published a Green Paper<\/a> on the future of higher education, with a focus on giving students greater choice and encouraging inclusivity. The document includes a commitment that\u00a0\u201canyone with the talent and potential should be able to benefit from higher education.\u201d It also states that the Government is\u00a0looking for \u201ca level playing field for all providers.\u201d<\/p>\n However, in its response to the Green Paper, the OU has expressed concern that the data and assumptions underpinning the Green Paper focus primarily on young, full-time students, without taking into account the value of other flexible learning options, such as part-time, especially for mature students.<\/p>\n The Prime Minister has set a target<\/a> to double the number of disadvantaged people going to university by 2020 and increase the number of BME students by 20% over the same period. One in five undergraduate entrants in England from low-participation neighbourhoods study part-time, and mature students make up 38% of total undergraduate students from those same neighbourhoods in England . The OU\u00a0is therefore concerned that\u00a0choice for these students will be compromised\u00a0if part-time and mature learner provision is not fully considered at the outset in Government proposals.<\/p>\n Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, said:<\/p>\n The Government\u2019s overall goal to drive social mobility and open up access to higher education is to be welcomed. However, figures released this week<\/a> are yet another reminder that time and time again, failure to properly consider part-time study early on in policy development can have serious \u2013 if unintended \u2013 consequences. The kind of flexible, supported learning offered to part-time and mature students by institutions like the OU is vital to helping those students the Prime Minister has talked about to realise their potential.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n