The Russell Group’s “unexpectedly strong” support for introducing minimum entry standards for UK universities suggests some vice-chancellors have given up standing together against politicised attacks, according to critics.
Research-intensive universities have come out in support of a key policy recommendation included in a controversial report produced by thinktank Policy Exchange, which was also backed by Reform UK’s education spokeswoman Suella Braverman and several leading Conservative critics of higher education.
“Tarnished Towers” made the case for a 30 per cent cut in student numbers, institutional caps on international student numbers and a national entry test for students who fail to achieve at least three Cs at A level or who hold non-traditional or vocational qualifications.
While not signing up to this plan explicitly, the Russell Group’s new chief executive Libby Hackett released a statement that called for a “minimum entry standard to study at university”, something she said the Department for Education was already considering and “cannot happen soon enough”.
Several vice-chancellors have privately told Times Higher Education that they were dismayed by the Russell Group’s response to the report.
