Student finance should be withdrawn from foundation year courses in England that deliver poor outcomes for students, according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute.
Last year, the Department for Education cut the maximum fees for some foundation courses – which are an additional year of study designed to prepare students for degree-level study – from £9,250 to £5,760.
The Hepi report notes that while proponents of foundation years say they can boost access, critics argue many are low quality and not necessary for students.
It argues there is significant room for improvement, both in the way higher education institutions use foundation years and in how the government has responded to them.
