Higher Education Commission – Call for Evidence
Inquiry into innovation in alternative models of HE provision
January 2017
About the Higher Education Commission
The Higher Education Commission is an independent body made up of leaders from the education
sector, the business community, and the three major political parties. The Commission examines
higher education policy, holds evidence-based inquiries, and produces written reports with
recommendations for policymakers. Previous Commission reports looked at postgraduate education,
the regulation of higher education and the financial sustainability of higher education in England.
About the fifth inquiry
This inquiry aims to examine ‘alternative models’ of higher education which operate outside of the
‘standard offer’ model of three-year undergraduate campus-based education. The inquiry will focus
on the best HE alternative models offered by alternative providers and will seek to examine
examples of innovative best practice from traditional HEIs and FE colleges as alternative models of
provision exist across the spectrum of HEIs. The inquiry will examine whether these models offer a
distinct alternative to the ‘standard offer’ of campus-based three year undergraduate courses and
offer recommendations for cross-sector learning.
The inquiry aims to capture, in detail, the best alternative models operating within HE and we hope
to shape the debate around the future of higher education and influence policy and practice in the
coming years.
Submit evidence
Please use the questions below to frame your response to the call for evidence, but do not feel
restricted by or compelled to answer every question.
The Commission welcomes all types of evidence, from data including data analysis or internal studies
your organisation has carried out, and personal or organisational views on these issues.
Submissions of evidence will not be published and the Commission will seek your permission before
quoting from evidence submissions in our final report. The Commission’s secretariat will also be
conducting informal interviews to inform the inquiry – please get in touch if you would like to
discuss the topic in more detail.
The deadline for submission of evidence is Monday 3rd of April. Evidence can be submitted to
[email protected]. For more information about the Commission or the inquiry visit
http://www.policyconnect.org.uk/hec/ or contact Pooja Kumari on 020 7202 8583
Call for evidence
1. Briefly describe your model of provision – what makes it ‘alternative’ to the standard offer?
And what is the rationale behind this model? In describing your alternative method of
provision, could you please also outline: the level of the degrees you offer; whether or not
you own the buildings you use, and if not, what arrangements you have for renting the
buildings you use; the number of students at the institution; the way in which staff are
employed.
2. Describe the depth and breadth of your subject offer. For example, do you specialise in any
particular subject?
3. What is the rationale behind the depth and breadth of the subject offer? For example, is
your model motivated by student demand, employer demand, or skills shortages?
4. Have you encountered any barriers to offering any particular subject or specialism? Please
explain why?
5. How important is choice and flexibility in your model’s offer to students?
6. Please explain how you offer flexibility in pace, place, and mode of study? Please explain
why you offer this?
7. What would you do differently in relation to flexibility? Are there any barriers to offering
more choice and flexibility? Please explain.
8. Please describe the nature of employer involvement in your model? For example, are
employers involved in the design and delivery of HE programmes? How is learning
integrated with work based practice? Are there any distinct characteristics of your teaching
staff related to this?
9. What role does technology play in learning experiences?
10. What is your funding model? Does your funding model allow you to innovate? Please explain
your answer.
11. What are the barriers to offering students a ‘distinct alternative’ to the standard offer?
Please indicate whether you are happy for the commission to attribute this evidence to you or
your organisation in the report.
Thank you for your contribution.