Teenagers in England are having to make choices about university on the basis of too little information, a report by the Public Accounts Committee warns.
The PAC report says this is due "in large part to insufficient and inconsistent careers advice". It also says students have limited redress if they are unhappy with the quality of courses and that shorter and part-time courses have not emerged.
The government says a review of higher education will address such issues. The report says it's "deeply concerning" that most students in England don't have the advice they need to make an informed decision.
"The substantial financial commitment required and wide variation in outcomes from higher education mean prospective students need high-quality advice and support to make decisions that are right for them. The complexity of the market and the volume of information available makes it difficult for prospective students, most of whom are teenagers, to assess the quality and suitability of higher education institutions," it says.
The report also warns that students who are dissatisfied with their course are more likely to drop out than switch provider, with only 2% of students transferring provider each year.
"An effective market requires empowered consumers who can switch provider if they are dissatisfied, but this is not the case in the higher education market."
The PAC report makes five critical conclusions:
- the Department for Education (DfE) is treating the higher education sector as a market, but not one that works in the interests of students or taxpayers
- young people are not being properly supported in making decisions on higher education, with lack of careers advice a crucial factor
- students have limited means of redress if they are unhappy with the quality of their course, even if they drop out
- the DfE does not have enough of a grip on actions to widen participation in higher education, and is over-reliant on the actions of some universities
- the new Office for Students has not yet articulated how it will support the varied and complex interests of students.
