The University of Sheffield
University Executive Board

Project 2012

Graduates

Project Update

April 2011

Following the meeting of University Council on 11th April 2011, Project 2012 has officially come to an end. Through the project, our academic community has discussed and agreed the University´s proposition to students, and the parameters for tuition fee setting for 2012 entry have been agreed (tuition fees are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access – OFFA – anticipated in July).

Members of University staff can download the final proposition agreed by University Council by clicking on the link of the right. The announcement about the University´s tuition fees for 2012 can be found at: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mediacentre/2011/2012-tuition-fees-student-finance.html

Whilst Project 2012 has ended, work continues through normal channels to ensure that departments and faculties are considering what the University proposition means to them. Work is also underway to ensure that students considering applying to the University of Sheffield for 2012 entry have the right information available to them about our proposition and the financial support which is available to them. We are working with schools and colleges to ensure they have appropriate information about higher education to share with young people considering their post-16 options. Our access agreement, which summarises our proposed approach to widening participation and outreach, has been submitted to the Office for Fair Access for their review.

FAQs about tuition fees for 2012 and the financial arrangements which will be available to students starting University in 2012 is available at: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/fees2012. Note that there are still some questions which can´t yet be answered, because some information has not yet been made available by Government. However, the FAQs will be updated as more clarity is received.

Project Update

February 2011

Over the past month staff from across the University and other stakeholders such as students, parents, schools and colleges and employers have been reviewing and commenting on the "Proposition". This document is an internal document intended to encapsulate why students choose to come to the University of Sheffield and what they can expect when they are here. It reflects our educational mission and the values we hold in common. Individuals and departments were invited to give their feedback and the response has been excellent. A revised Proposition, taking account of the feedback received as well as market research findings, is being worked on ready for approval by Council in April.

Once the Proposition has been signed off, it will be used in three main ways:

The next stage of the project is to look at the process of fee setting and the Vice-Chancellor has written to academic departments to ask for their input into this process. The project is working within existing University structures and committees and the Council Meeting in April will set the home undergraduate fees for 2012, following feedback from academic departments and Senate.

FAQs about tuition fees for 2012 and the financial arrangements which will be available to students starting University in 2012 is available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/fees2012. Note that there are still some questions which can´t yet be answered, because some information has not yet been made available by Government. However, the FAQs will be updated as more clarity is received.

In parallel to deciding on tuition fee levels, we will be developing our `Access Commitment´ – based on guidelines from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) which are due to be received at the end of February. This document will propose how we plan to support widening participation and outreach, and how much investment the University will make towards these activities. This will need to be approved by Government (via OFFA) which we anticipate will be done by June/July 2012.

If you have any questions about the project, please speak to your Head of Department or Pro Vice-Chancellor.

How do I get involved in Project 2012?

January 2011

We would like to invite the whole University community to let us know your comments on any aspect of the project.

On Jan 4th 2011, the Vice Chancellor asked the Faculty PVCs and the Registrar and Secretary to lead discussions within their areas about the University's proposition - i.e., how we describe what we offer students whilst they are studying at Sheffield. A draft proposition document has been produced which will be used as the basis of these discussions - this is available via your Faculty PVCs and the Registrar and Secretary.

There will also be other opportunities to discuss this proposition - through established channels such as committees and forums that exist across the University and within the faculties. Particularly relevant will be Learning and Teaching Committee and its sub-committees, and related faculty groups.

We hope that you will make the most of this opportunity for effecting some real changes in the way we teach and support our students, and will take the time to put your ideas forward in the discussions which will take place in your department.

Introduction from the Vice-Chancellor

December 2010

In recent weeks there have been some important announcements affecting higher education: firstly, the Browne Review on higher education funding and student finance, proposing a significant shift in the balance of funding away from public funding to payment by graduates. This was followed by the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, including confirmation of large cuts to university funding; and then by Government proposals to allow substantially higher university tuition fees.

Many of us, myself included, find the proposed changes in higher education hard to swallow. A much increased cost to graduates, and the worries this will naturally raise in the minds of potential students and their parents, are daunting and of real concern to us in Sheffield. However, the 80% cut to the teaching grant announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review means that, if we wish to continue to provide the high quality education our students deserve, we will have to replace the bulk of our income through the new scheme the Government introduces.

So what should our response to this new environment be? Partly, it is to continue with business as usual - focusing on our academic ambitions. In addition, I have decided to set up a University-wide project - Project 2012 - to work with existing structures and committees and coordinate preparation for the new funding regime. I feel it is very important to engage our whole community - our students, professional service and academic staff - in building on our successes and ambitions, and to lay out clearly the value of what we offer to our students.

A crucial complement to the work coordinated by Project 2012 will be to develop a new covenant with our students and those who support their time at the University. Our aim is that the University's dialogue with students and graduates should be based on trust and mutual goals, rather than simply a commercial relationship dictated by the market for fees. I see the current environment as an opportunity to look at how we can enhance what we offer, to assert the values we hold in common, and build stronger partnerships with our students, their supporters and potential employers.

You can find further details about Project 2012, and how you can contribute your ideas, from this webpage, and by downloading the Project 2012 Overview document:

Download the Project 2012 Overview (PDF, 176KB)

I look forward to discussing these important issues with many of you.

Professor Keith Burnett
Vice-Chancellor