Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans | Students
University students would face minimum grade requirements to qualify for student loans in England under proposals that could see thousands of young people banned from higher education.
The GCSE English exam would become the national threshold for students to access state-backed study and care loans through the Student Loans Corporation, under a proposal discussed by ministers.
This change would affect more than 30,000 students each year who enroll in full-time first degree courses without formal qualifications such as GCSEs, and would be a potential financial disaster for universities that educate large numbers of such students, often through franchise agreements with external partners.
Critics said the new regulation would mostly harm students from poorer backgrounds and nontraditional backgrounds, including those studying abroad or struggling within the school system.
Rachel Hewitt, CEO MillionPlus The group, which represents modern universities, said: “Universities are autonomous institutions and if a student can meet their requirements, is willing to take on that investment and is assessed as capable, MillionPlus questions why the government thinks it is the right way to put additional barriers in their way.
“Universities already have their own checks to ensure that students can meet the English language requirements in their courses and will not accept students if they are not sure they can succeed.
“Furthermore, this approach risks denying access to mature students who wish to re-enter education later in life, which is exactly the group the government would like to see reskilling and upskilling.”
The Department for Education (DfE) said it would not comment on speculation. But a spokesman added: “We are rebuilding our world-class universities as engines of opportunity, ambition and growth. That’s why we’re cracking down on low-quality courses so students can be sure they’re getting value for money from their university degree.”
Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group of leading research universities, called on the government to work with the higher education sector on how minimum entry requirements could be implemented to avoid penalizing groups such as adult students.
Hackett said: “In principle, we support a national minimum entry standard into higher education. Typically, there are minimum entry requirements for A-levels, apprenticeships, many further education courses and most university courses, with a significant level of postgraduate contribution as well as public subsidies [of student loans]Minimum entry thresholds can serve as an important safeguard to protect student interests and taxpayer investments.
“It is vital for any ongoing discussion to balance this with appropriate flexibility for credible institutions so they can identify equivalent entry routes for mature students and those from under-represented backgrounds.”
The proposal has been submitted to Whitehall as an English language requirement similar to that required for international students. But this would also serve as a de facto standard of acceptance, cutting off access to financing.
Last year, more than 33,000 domestic students starting full-time study for their first degree lacked formal qualifications such as GCSE, A-level or recognized equivalents; This number corresponds to one in 15 from 2024-25.
Many universities, including Bath Spa and Leeds Trinity, accept more than half of their domestic students without formal qualifications Recorded by the Higher Education Statistics Institution. In most cases, students are taught through franchise agreements with private or community colleges, where universities supervise courses in exchange for payment.
The threat of minimum entry requirements comes as the government prepares to cut teaching grants for university courses in England by a further £100 million. report In Times Higher Education.
The DfE is expected to announce that the strategic priorities grant for 2026-27 will be reduced by £100 million to around £1.25 billion. The grant is the main remaining source of direct funding for universities and subsidizes high-cost courses such as healthcare. The grant was previously reduced by £100 million for the current academic year.
A spokesperson for the DfE said: “We are still finalizing decisions on strategic priorities for the next academic year and will provide an update in due course.”
