Recommendation 19

We asked why, considering that student loan payments are made based on attendance data, there is no guidance on what constitutes attendance.45 DfE noted that ‘effective’ course attendance and engagement will vary by course and institution. DfE pointed to, for example, Open University students for whom there would be very different expectations. Different courses will have different requirements that suit different students in, for example, the extent to which they need to be physically present or how frequently they must submit work. DfE nonetheless agreed that the current situation is unsatisfactory.46 It told us that it had been discussing with the higher education sector a draft definition for attendance and engagement, which took a balanced and proportionate approach. It expects to publish this before summer.47 Universities UK recommended DfE engage with the sector to understand where there might be gaps in current approaches and further guidance may be necessary.48 Clarity over responsibilities relating to potential fraud and abuse