Fee and access plans – what are they and why be involved? Jane Johns   Head of Widening Access and Inclusion Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

Fee and access planning What are fee and access plans? What is the fee and access planning process? Why are plans important – for institutions, for students? What information is in a fee and access plan– who decides? What HEFCW does to encourage student involvement? How can students contribute to fee and access planning? Monitoring, evaluating and varying fee and access plans.

What are plans and why are they important? The HE (Wales) Act 2015 New regulatory system for HE in Wales - revised arrangements for ‘regulated institutions’ for fee controls - maximum of £9k fees fair access – widening access quality of education; and financial assurance Enhanced regulatory role for HEFCW terms and conditions of funding relating to designation for student support Fee and access plan is tool of regulation

2017/18 fee and access process The first plans in the new process The HE Act 2015 and regulations and notices – from Sept 15 Welsh Government guidance to HEFCW – January 2016 HEFCW consult, event, guidance – February – April 2016 The FAP application process – April – July 2016 Approval, publication, HEFCW feedback, process review – August – Nov 16 Report to Welsh Government – December 2016

Information in a plan – who decides? Plans include information and commitments the institution, fee levels and supporting equality of opportunity and the promotion of HE groups under-represented in higher education attracting and retaining groups under-represented in HE financial help for students the amount of funding to support activities in the plan targets and how plans will be delivered and monitored

Fee and access plans for 2017/18 10 plans approved, marketing & recruitment began on schedule. £106m invested in plans – of which: £30m in student financial support (fee waivers, bursaries, scholarships, hardship funds, provision of financial management advice and skills and other financial support). student voice and student engagement evidenced Accessible, published documents

What does HEFCW do to encourage student involvement? provides guidance to institutions that encourages student engagement WISE Wales statement on partnership for HE Breaking down the barriers to student opportunities and youth social action Guide to providing information to prospective undergraduate students works closely with NUS Wales NUS Wales President an observer on HEFCW Council runs workshops and speaks at events

How can students contribute to fee and access planning? The Student Charter The governing body Working with partner institutions Student representatives Providing evidence Campaigns Target-setting Monitoring and evaluating

How to raise students’ awareness of fee and access plans? Students’ Union training of new existing representatives NUS Wales training or events on fee and access planning Handover updates from outgoing student representatives

Examples of good practice Regular conversations between SU and senior management Student representation on key committees Survey results feeding in to plans Handover updates from outgoing student representatives Providing an annual report to students on how plan income was spent

Advice to HEFCW What are the challenges for institutions and students in ensuring effective Students’ Union involvement? What more might institutions do to raise awareness of fee an access planning processes and increase student involvement? What more might Students’ Unions do to engage in the fee and access planning process? Are there any examples of good practice, or other issues, HEFCW should consider in encouraging greater Students’ Union involvement in the fee and access planning process?