Almost two-thirds of English universities could potentially face sanctions for failing to meet new quality thresholds that were introduced last month, analysis suggests.
The Office for Students introduced long-awaited thresholds that higher education providers need to meet to avoid investigation, and possible sanctions, on 3 October as part of its drive to improve standards in the sector.
These thresholds – which target full-time students studying for a first degree – include a target of 80 per cent continuing their studies, but analysis of OfS data for providers with at least 1,000 students by Times Higher Education shows 5 per cent of universities would not meet this.
A further target for 75 per cent of students to complete their course would be failed by 6 per cent of universities, while 2 per cent would not meet the threshold for 60 per cent of students to go on to further study, professional work or other positive outcomes, within 15 months of graduating.
