§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what appeal or complaint procedures there are for students refused placements at the University of the West of England on the joint distance learning programme MA in planning; [132138]
(2) what his policy is on whether the administrators of a university registering a student for a joint qualification course may override the decisions of the management board representing all participating universities. [132139]
§ Alan JohnsonThe administration of joint programmes and internal appeals or complaints procedures at universities are matters for the individual institutions, although they should have regard to the Quality Assurance Agency's Code of Practice on these issues. The Secretary of State has no powers to intervene in the internal affairs of higher education institutions.
As both of these questions essentially concern the internal affairs of the University of West of England, I have written to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Alfred Morris, asking for a response. I shall send you a copy of his reply and arrange for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.