25 July 2014 
Matt Sisson, Projects and Membership Manager
In 2015/16 universities will spend more on targeted outreach and support work and less on financial support as part of their access agreements with OFFA, according to the regulatory body. OFFA have released the key statistics and analysis of their agreements with 172 universities and colleges this week, and these show an increasing focus on outreach work, student success, and progression into employment, over funding for bursaries and scholarships.
Universities estimate that they will spend £735million under the 2015/16 access agreements – a 3.9% increase in cash terms over the agreements 2014/15, but 1% lower as a percentage of their higher fee income. £323million of this will be spent on raising aspirations, attainment, and employment of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, an increase of £243 million (33%). Just 56% of the planned spend under the access agreements will go towards fee waivers, bursaries, and scholarships, down from 71% for 2014/15.
In responding to the report, HEFCE Chief Executive Madeleine Atkins said that “much of the focus to date has been on expenditure and on activity, but we need a stronger emphasis on outcomes. In constrained financial times, it is vital to demonstrate that this considerable investment is being used as effectively as possible”. She added that “In our fast-moving environment, universities and colleges are rightly innovating in the way they deliver their widening participation activity with schools, employers, and other partners. We need to keep abreast of these developments, evaluate their effectiveness alongside the more conventional approaches, and understand how best to invest in and support our sector in the future.”
The Guardian has an article analysing the report.
