QAA hosts event on modular provision

On Tuesday 21 October, QAA hosted an online event exploring the opportunities and challenges of modular provision for lifelong learning in higher education, as part of our programme of "Curious Conversations" – a new series of events exclusive to QAA Members focusing on timely topics in quality assurance and enhancement.

More than 70 of our colleagues from across the sector joined us for this information-packed event.

Considering how to future-proof higher education by embracing modular and lifelong learning, the discussion was led by Dr Elizabeth Norton, Senior Policy Advisor at Coventry University.

She started by asking what we know about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, what we don't know, and how it will work.

She pointed out that this is an area of provision which will affect the great breadth of academic architecture and administration – and stressed that it's vital for the sector to engage with the Department for Education in the ongoing development and implementation of the LLE.

She emphasised that, while the LLE has evolved through its various iterations, it's an unusual area of policy insofar as it has garnered, and been propelled by, cross-party support. She pointed out that, in addition to its professional and economic benefits, "the subtext to the creation of the LLE is to delay the cost of student loans to the Treasury by encouraging students to enter the labour market sooner, earning whilst they learn".

She added that the plan is that "students can study at multiple institutions" but that "each module offered is tied to a parent course". She noted that therefore "standardised transcripts will be required for modules to facilitate the transfer of credits" – and that these will be held in learners' accounts hosted on the government's LLE gateway website – with a consultation on credit transfer expected early next year.

She observed however that there's danger that students might accumulate a broad range of modules which don't cohere into a full award and therefore "not have a full degree to show for it at the end".

Observing that "major structural policy changes are going to be needed inside the Student Loans Company", she acknowledged that there remain significant hurdles in the process of introducing the LLE for its initial phase of delivery at the start of 2027.

Her clear enthusiasm for the opportunities offered by lifelong learning was balanced by her realism as to the challenges ahead.

"LLE's introduction is likely to be resource-intensive, with short lead times from government on advice and guidance," she said

She warned that "it may affect student confidence in the loan system if rollout isn't smooth" and argued that, if the government doesn't listen carefully to any emerging issues raised by those teaching, designing and administering the LLE, then confidence in this key initiative may end up being badly dented. She supposed that, as a result, the plans for the LLE will need to be further modified if it is "to work effectively and in the best interests of students" – elaborating a range of reservations, including concerns as to the limitations on access to funding related to student age and mode of study.

"What worries me from a student perspective is the confirmation that online students won't be able to access maintenance through the LLE," she said. "I hope that will change… You still have to eat while you're studying online."