Mixed-sector tertiary education: research overview
By Gavin MoodieResearch summary17 January 2012
Description
This research overview provides the key messages arising from two related projects investigating tertiary education institutions that have recently begun to offer tertiary programs outside the sector of their initial establishment and the sector of the majority of their enrolments. These are TAFE institutes offering higher education programs, universities offering vocational education programs and private providers offering both.
Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is… Show more
Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is expected to increase given recent and predicted policy changes. This issues paper focuses on the nature of VET provision within institutions accrediting their own higher education programs, most of which are large public universities, and other tertiary education institutions, primarily smaller private providers. It complements previous research on higher education in TAFE. Issues raised for discussion include the broadening role of various providers, governance and funding issues, organisational structures and the implications of mixed sector provision for students, staff and the future of institutions. Show less
This research suggests that while mixed-sector and dual-sector providers are still only small in num… Show more
This research suggests that while mixed-sector and dual-sector providers are still only small in number, they likely to become more important but they face specific challenges in the quality of their provision. Show less
In this 13 minute interview, Steve Davis talks with Leesa Wheelahan about the report 'Shaken not sti… Show more
In this 13 minute interview, Steve Davis talks with Leesa Wheelahan about the report 'Shaken not stirred? The development of one tertiary education sector in Australia'. This report examines universities that offer a small amount of VET and private providers that offer both VET and higher education, building on previous research examining TAFEs that offer higher education. This research suggests that mixed-sector and dual-sector providers are likely to become more important but they face specific challenges in the quality of their provision. While the sharp distinctions between VET and higher education are giving way to a more differentiated single tertiary education sector this is resulting in a more stratified and hierarchical structure as university providers become the 'comparator'. Show less
