Recommendation 6

Although SLC uses data on attendance to show student’s course engagement, and therefore pay loans, there remains no agreed definition of what constitutes attendance or engagement. SLC requires providers to confirm that students are attending their courses before it will make tuition fee and maintenance payments. However, DfE, SLC, OfS and providers have no commonly agreed definition of what constitutes student attendance or engagement, or how it should be evidenced. The NAO recommended that DfE should develop guidance for providers explaining what constitutes meaningful student engagement and how it expects providers to self-assure data. Higher education relies heavily on self-directed learning, and DfE recognises that attendance might mean different things, at different institutions or for different courses. Universities UK has nonetheless recognised the need to revisit the definition of attendance and engagement, and recommended DfE engage with the sector to take this forward. DfE accepts the need to develop guidance, and hopes this will be introduced before summer this year. Recommendation 6: DfE should work quickly to clarify what constitutes student attendance and meaningful engagement with courses, ensuring sufficient engagement with providers, and publish guidance as soon as possible. 8 Student loans issued to those studying at franchised higher education providers 1 Achieving student outcomes through franchised provision