A minimum grade requirement for student loan eligibility in England could hit universities hard, potentially leaving them £200 million short every year. The policy targets students without a single GCSE pass or equivalent, affecting those who rely on institutions to access education.
Some 33,000 domestic students, roughly 6% of the total intake last year, enrolled in full-time first-degree courses in England without a GCSE or recognised equivalent. They pay the same £9,535 annual tuition fee as their peers, but educating them comes with a significant price tag for universities.
The policy is set to impact institutions that have prioritised widening participation initiatives and foundation courses designed to prepare unqualified students for higher education. Some universities have also formed partnerships with private providers, allowing the latter to recruit and teach students while the former receives a proportion of tuition fees – up to 30% per student.
Analysis by the Financial Times revealed that six English institutions admitted over half their UK-based student intake without GCSEs in 2024-25. Ravensbourne University London, Bath Spa, and Leeds Trinity took on more than 60% of their students through this route. Bath Spa University, with nine educational partners, has committed to broadening access to higher education for mature students and those undergoing career changes.
The University Alliance, which represents technical and professional universities, strongly opposes the proposed minimum entry requirements. They argue that such measures would unfairly disadvantage learners from less privileged backgrounds, mature students, and those from underrepresented communities. The Alliance highlights the success of students with non-traditional routes or lower prior attainment who often excel with the right support.