Investigation finds evidence of international student favouritism

QAA identifies “broad equivalence” between international and domestic pathway courses, plus areas for “swift action”

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, it is fair to say, does not top the news agenda too often. There was that squabble a couple of years ago, when it stood aside as the designated quality body for England during a pretty unsavoury row with the Office for Students, but other than that it has generally just got on with its work.

This morning, though, the QAA has published a report on international pathway programmes that seems to have got the sector talking. Readers will recall that the Sunday Times published a series of articles earlier this year alleging that such courses (which support the entry of international students into UK higher education) enable less qualified international students to get university places ahead of their domestic counterparts. The articles conveniently overlooked the extent to which international students have facilitated the expansion of higher education for all students, regardless of domicile.