With the IEAA Pathways Forum in a matter of weeks, Tracy Harris looks at what the impact enrolment caps might have on the pathways sector. Registration details for the Forum are also below.
One of the consultation questions on the draft Australia’s International Education and Skills Strategic Framework was “how will this approach [enrolment caps] to managing the system affect individual providers?”. In my submission to the consultation, I argue that this approach shows a complete lack of understanding by government of the complexities of managing the lifecycle of a student, from recruitment to graduation, and this is particularly acute for the pathways sector. In fact, it is foreseeable that imposing a cap could prove to be a disincentive for education providers to commit to taking on students from pathway programs.
In this context, the pathways sector includes English language and students who are enrolled in a pathway college, generally undertaking a course of study such as a diploma, that on completion gives them direct entry to year two of a university degree with credit.
In the case of many pathway colleges, students are granted a visa for the provider of their principal course (ie the university), however, it is important to distinguish the student visa from the enrolment cap. Despite a student holding a visa for a university place, there are multiple factors that impact students transitioning to their degree program.
In an ideal world, once a student enrols with their education provider, they follow the study plan for the course they are taking. But students are human, and they face barriers in their lives that disrupt their path.
For example, students may need to repeat units that they have failed, meaning that they aren’t ready to commence in the semester that is intended, or in the case of ELICOS, they don’t reach the required English language level for their studies. In other cases, students don’t successfully complete their pathways course or reach the required English level and must return home. Students also change their mind once they have been studying in Australia for some time and may decide that they want to study elsewhere.
If caps are not set until September of the year prior to enrolment as is proposed, with the threat of automatic suspension if exceeded, universities will need to keep places open for pathways’ students to transition. But when attrition occurs at the pathways level, as it will, places may be left unfilled. For universities that have applications from students offshore ready to study, this could prove to be a disincentive for the pathways sector.
At the very least, there will have to be some complex calculations and negotiations between universities and their partners. And I argue in my submission, if this approach goes ahead, it will necessitate individual providers adding a layer of bureaucracy to their organisations to manage the cap, creating roles that contribute nothing to improving the student experience.
This year’s IEAA Pathways Forum will be held in Sydney on Friday, 12 July. The theme for the Forum is Balancing Sustainability, Profit and the Student Experience. Places are still available but be quick, register now.
Tracy Harris is one of the Deputy Convenors of the IEAA Pathways Network.
