This is taken from one of the messages on the Open University website:
The Government has announced that, as of the next academic year, it will no longer be funding students in England and Open University students in Northern Ireland taking any Higher Education qualification that is equivalent to, or lower than, one they already hold. These students are being referred to as ELQ (Equivalent or Lower Qualification) students. This decision will have major funding implications for The Open University as ELQ students represent a substantial percentage of our student numbers.
There are some exemptions to the new draft policy including initial training for teachers, nurses, social workers and all foundation degrees. But we are convinced that across the sector the higher fees that institutions may have to charge will deter many graduates from university-level professional development. In our opinion discouraging institutions and students in this way runs counter to the Government’s priority to re-skill the nation’s workforce – a priority that we entirely support and currently excel in delivering. It won't just affect the OU either, any university or other institute of HE is going to be hit bu these cuts which, let's face it, are just another strike against the British education system in general. Theoretically it might affect colleges offering A levels to those who already have such qualifications as well.
The link below goes to a petition set up by an OU member to campaign against the cuts, I will do some more research into the wider impact of this proposal but for now would urge those who can to sign this one. Unfortunately it's only open to British residents though.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ELQFunding/( Full message: )![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
