Million Plus

A new report Reaching Higher: Reforming Student Loans to broaden access to postgraduate study published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on 30th October with analysis from London Economics, has been welcomed by the university think-tank million+. The university think-tank has proposed that the government fund 50,000 additional postgraduate places and says that an affordable postgraduate loan scheme would help to arrest the decline in postgraduate study, but would have to be paid for with new funding to avoid cuts elsewhere. 

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

“This is a timely analysis and the fact that the report is modelled on offering both full-time and part-time postgraduate students access to a loan is very welcome.  However any government introducing such a scheme would have to provide additional funds to avoid making cuts elsewhere.

“ While postgraduate loans may help to improve access and provide options for those students who want to study part-time later in life, they are only part of the solution to the decline in postgraduate study.

“To boost economic growth particularly in the regions, the government should fund 50,000 additional postgraduate places linked with professional, industry and public service based programmes during the next parliament.”

ENDS

Notes to editors
1. For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Rochelle Owusu- Antwi, Press and Communications Officer, million+ on 020 7717 1658 / 07527 336 795 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 IPPR report can be found on their website here.
4. million+ and the international consultancy firm London Economics have published a number of reports on the HE funding system in England including modelling a graduate tax and a reduction in fees.