Universities minister says students should get tuition fee refunds 

The Universities Minister has encouraged students to apply for refunds on courses if they are unsatisfied.

Michelle Donelan said students should ‘absolutely’ demand to claim back their tuition fees, adding that ‘they are consumers, at the end of the day’. 

The 37-year-old also criticised universities that have not returned to face-face-face learning, high vice-chancellor salaries and ‘mickey mouse’ courses.

Figures show three vice chancellors are on more than half a million pounds a year, with Exeter’s Sir Steve Smith raking in £584,000 – more than triple the Prime Minister’s salary.

Ms Donelan said she would not defend some vice-chancellor salaries, which she called ‘eye-watering and staggering’, and said drop-out rates for some courses were as high as 40 per cent.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Donelan said there had been ‘tens of thousands’ of refunds issued to students by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator during the pandemic. 

She said: ‘They’re paying a substantial amount of money that’s an investment in their own lives. They deserve that appeal right. 

‘I have had to really say to vice-chancellors, you need to ensure that you are delivering on what you promised to students because, as the Prime Minister outlined, we’ve got to learn to live with this virus now.

‘We’ve got to get back to pre-pandemic life. Risk assessments can’t be used as an excuse not to host face-to-face teaching. Students have been leading the way in the [vaccination] stats.’

‘Universities try to entice pupils to the front door and say that’s social mobility. Actually, that doesn’t help anybody,’ she added.

Ms Donelan was promoted to Minister for Higher and Further Education in February’s cabinet reshuffle, and describes it as her ‘dream’ job.

Her boss, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, said recently that universities have no excuse for cancelling face-to-face teaching and students should complain to the watchdog if they feel short-changed.

Mr Zahawi said he has an ‘expectation’ for universities to ‘deliver face-to-face education’ as it emerged more than 100 institutions have also moved their lectures online. 

He told The Sunday Times last week: ‘I want to repeat that my expectation of universities is that they deliver face-to-face education.

‘They need to deliver it and if students feel they are not getting value for money they should take that up with the Office for Students.’

A spokesperson for Universities UK said: ‘Universities are committed to delivering a high-quality in-person teaching and learning experience, and have worked hard to provide as much face-to-face learning for students as possible despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

‘Students returning to universities across the country this term can expect teaching and activities in person including small group classes, seminars, practicals and lab work, with some lectures in person and others online.

‘Like schools, colleges, and other sectors, universities are still having to balance the provision of in-person activities with public health measures to protect students and staff.

‘They are also working hard to minimise the risk of outbreaks and support those needing to self-isolate, particularly as Omicron cases remain high in many university towns and cities.

‘Every university has established procedures for managing complaints, and these should be the first port of call for students. If students are not satisfied with the response from their university, they are able to escalate their complaint.’