07.10.08
1994 Group welcomes NCEE recommendations
The 1994 Group of student-focused, research-intensive universities has welcomed today’s report by the National Council for Educational Excellence. The report recommends better support for schools to raise the aspirations of their pupils to apply to the most selective universities.
Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group, said: ‘We welcome the work undertaken by Professor Steve Smith and his colleagues to identify mechanisms by which the links between schools and colleges can be enhanced. Effective engagement with schools and colleges is key to the efforts of the most selective universities to increase and widen participation. If we are successfully to reach out to applicants from all backgrounds there is a need for a wider availability of information about university admissions requirements and about the nature of the student experience. This will better inform the life-changing decisions that pupils are making.’
The 1994 Group has also welcomed the recommendation that data on the predictability of the award of the A* grade be collected and reviewed before it is used by universities in the applications process.
Said Mr Marshall: ‘The 1994 Group has previously expressed concern at the potential impact of the introduction of the A* grade on the admissions practices of research-intensive universities. It is right, given these concerns, that the impact of the A* grade be fully evaluated before universities start using it.’
1994 Group institutions engage with students at every step on their educational journey, before and during admissions processes, providing excellent support and experiences during university life, encouraging progression through to postgraduate level, and conducting continued engagement with alumni.
Notes for Editors:
The National Council for Educational Excellence was established by the Prime Minister in June 2007. The Higher Education strand of the Council’s work was led by Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter and Chair of the 1994 Group. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/ncee
The 1994 Group brings together eighteen internationally renowned, research-intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common interests in higher education, respond efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice.
In 2006-07, 1994 Group institutions invested £15.5 million in new bursary and scholarship schemes and outreach activities. This investment is estimated to rise to £45 million in 2008-09. These sums are in addition to the significant amounts already invested by members in bursaries and scholarships from charitable and other sources.
The National Student Survey results published on 11 September 2008 confirmed that, for the fourth successive year, the 1994 Group had emerged as the leading group of universities. Some 88% of students in the Group’s 18 member universities said they were satisfied with the student experience compared to a national average of 83%. 1994 Group member universities were rated above average in each of the six categories surveyed. This includes Teaching, where they received 88% positive responses (sector average 83%) and Organisation and Management 81% (sector average 73%). The average for 1994 Group member universities for all six categories was 80% (sector average 76%).
Member universities are: University of Bath, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Birkbeck University of London, Goldsmiths University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex and University of York.
An RSS news feed service providing updated information on the activities of the 1994 Group is available at http://www.1994group.ac.uk/rss.php
Press Enquiries: Tom Norton, Director of Internal Policy Development, 1994 Group. Tel: 0207 164 2094; Email: enquiry@1994group.co.uk