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By Gisela Stuart MP - 13th October 2010
Gisela Stuart MP writes for ePolitix.com ahead of her adjournment debate on government policy on the validation of degrees and the University of London's international programme.
This debate is about ensuring we have a higher education system that is open, diverse and accessible.
I am (an unpaid) member of the board for the University of London’s International Academy and I hold a law degree awarded by the University of London – which in those days was referred to as the 'external system'.
If we are to expand the number of people benefitting from quality higher education than we have to do a number of things, many of which were pointed to by Lord Browne yesterday.
Stop assuming that university education means a three year on campus taught course. We need a more flexible system responsive to the needs of students and the economy.
Stop arguing over top levels of fees without also looking at the quality of what’s being offered.
Stop thinking that there is a magical solution which would allow us to offer quality higher education without someone at some stage having to pay for it.
And we need to start facing up to some facts.
Some degrees and some universities are of better quality and higher standing than others.
Some qualifications and degrees offer better employment chances than others.
Some people need greater flexibility in the way they access higher education than the established universities can offer.
Looking at higher education in recent years there have been some perverse policy outcomes, universities being fined for taking on additional students and disproportionately little support for part-time students.
We must hope that future policy will encourage institutions like the University of London (as well as the Open University) to provide more high quality degrees at an affordable price with the highest possible flexibility for students.
Established in 1836, the University of London was the first university in the UK to open its doors to women and launched the external system in 1858.
For over 150 years University of London has offered students the opportunity to sit its exams without having to attend the university itself.
The University has an infrastructure which is unique in its global scope, encompassing 550 examination centres worldwide. This is based on a network of local relationships with the British Council, national Examinations Authorities and other organisations.
This is particularly important for internationally mobile postgraduates.
University of London and the Open University will not – and indeed should not – aim to replace campus based universities. There is great merit in fostering a teaching experience. Indeed in my constituency is Birmingham University and I pay tribute to their good work.
But distance learning adds to the diversity of the teaching experience and provisions.
In the October edition of Prospect universities minister David Willetts took part in a roundtable discussion. He said that "he has proposed that it should be easier for new colleges to set up as teaching institutions with degrees externally awarded by another body, such as the University of London. This is how higher education expanded from 1850 to 1950. It’s a way of bringing in new providers and giving students greater choice."
But University of London International Programmes is not, I repeat not, about "franchising". The assessment is undertaken by College based Boards of Examiners of the University to the same standards as apply to internal students.
I hope the minister will look at what the University of London International Programmes has to offer, ensures that vested interests don't hamper the diversity of provisions – and above all accepts that what matters are academic standards which can only be upheld if there are rigorous examination Boards.
For me – measuring success will be when London has again 30-40 000 UK based students as it had in the 1950s.
Let's not re-invent the wheel, but build on the good things we already have.
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