The proposed use of language requirements to crack down on poor-quality higher education provision, particularly in the franchise sector, would be disproportionate and undermine Labour’s target of improving university access for disadvantaged students, according to groups representing universities.
The government has confirmed that it will open a consultation in the autumn on introducing a minimum English language requirement for prospective undergraduates to access student finance.
Policymakers see bringing in a language requirement as a way to address perceived abuse within the franchise system.
Currently, UK nationals and those with settled status in the UK are generally eligible to receive student finance for their first higher education qualification without having to prove their language ability to the Student Loans Company.
Last year, the education secretary blocked new applicants to Oxford Business College, a franchise partner of several mainstream universities, from accessing student finance.
