This White Paper published in 2003 reviews the challenges facing the higher education sector, and particularly: the expansion of higher education, the question of student finance and increasing economic competitiveness.  In terms of expansion there is a recognition to ‘develop more foundation degrees  strengthening links between further and higher education and creating better pathways for progress;’ (DfES, 2003:7).

The introduction sets out a vision for a higher education which ‘builds strong and purposeful collaborations, including with one another and with further education, to support the best teaching, research management and knowledge transfer;’ (DfES, 2003:22). 

Chapter 5 Expanding higher education to meet our needs - outlines out key points and proposals of significance to HE in FE, in particular, the Government’s position on the expansion of the Foundation Degree and sub-degree qualifications and delivering higher education in further education (5.20).

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