Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans under proposals being considered by ministers in England, a move that could effectively bar thousands from higher education.
Proposed minimum grade requirements
Under one proposal being discussed, a pass in GCSE English would become the national threshold for students to qualify for government-backed tuition and maintenance loans through the Student Loans Company. The change would affect more than 30,000 domestic students each year who enroll on full-time first degree courses without formal qualifications such as GCSEs. It could also be a financial disaster for universities that teach large numbers of such students, often through franchise arrangements with external partners.
Criticism and concerns
Critics argue that the new regulation would mostly harm students from poorer backgrounds and non-traditional backgrounds, including those educated overseas or who struggled within the school system. Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of the MillionPlus group representing modern universities, stated: "Universities are autonomous institutions, and if a student can meet their requirements, is willing to take on that investment and is assessed to be capable, MillionPlus questions why the government thinks placing additional barriers in their way is the correct way forward." She added that universities already have their own checks to ensure learners can meet English language requirements and will not take on students they are not confident can succeed. The approach also risks blocking access to mature students seeking to re-enter education later in life.
Government and sector responses
The Department for Education (DfE) declined to comment on speculation but reiterated its commitment to cracking down on poor-quality courses to ensure students get value for money. Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group, called for collaboration with the higher education sector on how minimum entry requirements could be applied, to avoid punishing groups such as mature students. She said: "In principle, we support a national minimum entry standard to higher education. With significant levels of graduate contribution alongside public subsidies, minimum entry thresholds can act as an important safeguard to protect student interests and taxpayer investment." However, she stressed the need for flexibility for trusted institutions to determine equivalent entry routes for mature students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Impact on universities and students
Last year, more than 33,000 domestic students beginning full-time study for their first degree lacked formal qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, or recognized equivalents—amounting to one in 15 starting in 2024-25. Several universities, including Bath Spa and Leeds Trinity, admitted more than half of their domestic students without formal qualifications recorded by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. In many cases, these students are taught through franchise arrangements with private or local colleges.
Additional funding cuts
The threat of minimum entry requirements comes as the government is preparing to cut its teaching grant for university courses in England by a further £100 million, according to a report in Times Higher Education. The DfE is expected to announce that its strategic priorities grant for 2026-27 will be reduced to about £1.25 billion, following a previous cut of £100 million for the current academic year. A DfE spokesperson said: "We are still finalising decisions on the strategic priorities grant for the coming academic year and we will provide an update in due course."
