The UK Government’s plans to “promote choice and competition” by allowing new providers to establish universities that have the ability to award degrees instantly, has met with a mixed response. While tech giants Google and Facebook - who were mentioned in the recent White Paper as firms that could “benefit” from the reforms - both said they had “nothing to add," speculation around potential new entrants to the sector continues. In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Traditionally, new universities must work through a four-year “track record” period before being able to award degrees.
The UK Government’s plans to “promote choice and competition” by allowing new providers to establish universities that have the ability to award degrees instantly, has met with a mixed response. While tech giants Google and Facebook - who were mentioned in the recent White Paper as firms that could “benefit” from the reforms - both said they had “nothing to add," speculation around potential new entrants to the sector continues. Meanwhile, Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said the policy would have more to offer foreign universities, such as the non-profit, India-based Amity University. Traditionally, new universities must work through a four-year “track record” period before being able to award degrees.