Million Plus

The university think-tank million+ has criticised a Which? report ‘Higher education: audit of providers’ website information provision’ published today (23 October) suggesting that it gives a misleading view of university compliance with competition law. The Which? Audit is based on a survey that was limited to a ten-day period in September 2015 when the web posts for 50 institutions for a single course, psychology, were reviewed. Other than Oxford and Cambridge, the majority of students do not apply to university until January and many apply much later in the admissions cycle.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think tank million+, said:

“A ten-day survey of a small selection of web pages for a single course undertaken almost five months before the majority of students apply and twelve months before they start their degrees, is hardly the basis on which to suggest that universities are not complying with their duties under competition law or the guidance issued by the Competition and Markets Authority.

“University websites are important but they are only one part of the picture. Prospective students are provided with information on open days and by course tutors but they also research websites such as Unistats and seek advice from their schools and colleges.  Judging the performance of universities on such a partial basis is misleading and unlikely to help students understand the admissions process or make the right choice of university and course.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Pam Tatlow on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk.
2. million+ is a leading university think-tank. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
3. The full report is available here.