§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria he employs when deciding to admit private higher education institutions into the publicly funded sector; and how many such applications have been successful. [135534]
§ Mr. WicksUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, any private higher education institution seeking designation into the publicly funded sector must have at least 55 per cent. of its full-time equivalent roll capable of being defined as higher education.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) provides advice to the Secretary of State on applications from private institutions seeking designation as higher education institutions.
HEFCE funding would require institutions to comply with all the conditions related to receipt of grant, including quality assessment, financial health, governance, audit and accountability standards.
No private higher education institution has been designated under these provisions so far.