This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8055474.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Student complaints rise sharply Student complaints rise sharply
(about 8 hours later)
The university adjudicator for England and Wales received 900 complaints from students in 2008 - a rise of 23% on 2007 - but just 7% were upheld.The university adjudicator for England and Wales received 900 complaints from students in 2008 - a rise of 23% on 2007 - but just 7% were upheld.
Disputes over postgraduate courses and allegations of plagiarism pushed up the total, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education said.Disputes over postgraduate courses and allegations of plagiarism pushed up the total, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education said.
The adjudicator said the rise reflected a "cultural change" with fee-paying students wanting more value for money.The adjudicator said the rise reflected a "cultural change" with fee-paying students wanting more value for money.
Universities said the figure should be seen in the context of 1.9m students.Universities said the figure should be seen in the context of 1.9m students.
Consumer awarenessConsumer awareness
There have been claims that students paying tuition fees were becoming more consumerist in their attitudes, with higher expectations of getting value for money from their courses.There have been claims that students paying tuition fees were becoming more consumerist in their attitudes, with higher expectations of getting value for money from their courses.
Adjudicator Rob Behrens says that such a consumer awareness among students is "not necessarily a bad thing".Adjudicator Rob Behrens says that such a consumer awareness among students is "not necessarily a bad thing".
The 23% rise in complaints in 2008 follows a 25% increase in 2007 compared with 2006.The 23% rise in complaints in 2008 follows a 25% increase in 2007 compared with 2006.
But only 7% of the complaints were upheld - with many falling outside the adjudicator's remit.But only 7% of the complaints were upheld - with many falling outside the adjudicator's remit.
The office cannot address some of the most contentious areas of higher education - such as admissions and academic judgments such as the awarding of degree grades.The office cannot address some of the most contentious areas of higher education - such as admissions and academic judgments such as the awarding of degree grades.
Greater assertivenessGreater assertiveness
It considers only complaints which have failed to be resolved by the disputes procedures within universities.It considers only complaints which have failed to be resolved by the disputes procedures within universities.
There was a disproportionately high number of international students among complainants - and Mr Behrens says this reflects a greater assertiveness among those paying higher fees.There was a disproportionately high number of international students among complainants - and Mr Behrens says this reflects a greater assertiveness among those paying higher fees.
But it also overlaps with the increase in disputes over plagiarism - and he says there were questions about different cultural attitudes towards what constitutes plagiarism.But it also overlaps with the increase in disputes over plagiarism - and he says there were questions about different cultural attitudes towards what constitutes plagiarism.
Mr Behrens says this emphasises that universities should make clear how plagiarism will be interpreted, before any ambiguities can arise.Mr Behrens says this emphasises that universities should make clear how plagiarism will be interpreted, before any ambiguities can arise.
When there are disputes over universities' handling of plagiarism accusations the report says that "practice is variable".When there are disputes over universities' handling of plagiarism accusations the report says that "practice is variable".
It says in a small number of these cases, there were "conflicts of interest" in the handling of complaints.It says in a small number of these cases, there were "conflicts of interest" in the handling of complaints.
Postgraduate courses also "feature prominently in our case files", says the report.Postgraduate courses also "feature prominently in our case files", says the report.
The report found cases where there had been "a clear reluctance to give timely feedback to underperforming postgraduate students".The report found cases where there had been "a clear reluctance to give timely feedback to underperforming postgraduate students".
"This creates false expectations of successful outcomes from thesis submission and is something that could be avoided.""This creates false expectations of successful outcomes from thesis submission and is something that could be avoided."
Business students were the most likely to have pursued a complaint.Business students were the most likely to have pursued a complaint.
Consumer studentsConsumer students
The rise in complaints is against a background in which students are seen to have much greater expectations of receiving value for their tuition fees.The rise in complaints is against a background in which students are seen to have much greater expectations of receiving value for their tuition fees.
Earlier this year, students at Manchester Metropolitan University set up a text service for disgruntled students who were kept waiting for their lectures.Earlier this year, students at Manchester Metropolitan University set up a text service for disgruntled students who were kept waiting for their lectures.
Diana Warwick, head of the university vice-chancellors' representative body, Universities UK, said the rise in complaints reflected "the increased awareness of this complaints procedure".Diana Warwick, head of the university vice-chancellors' representative body, Universities UK, said the rise in complaints reflected "the increased awareness of this complaints procedure".
But she said that the 900 complaints handled by the adjudicator should be seen in the context of 1.9 million students.But she said that the 900 complaints handled by the adjudicator should be seen in the context of 1.9 million students.
The National Union of Students said that there were still too many delays within universities in addressing complaints. And a spokeswoman for England's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said: "According to the latest student survey, 80% of students are satisfied overall with the quality of their university experience.
"The OIA provides an important service for the small percentage of students that have outstanding issues."
But the National Union of Students said that there were still too many delays within universities in addressing complaints.
"Many universities need to work much harder to make their complaints procedures more efficient and transparent.""Many universities need to work much harder to make their complaints procedures more efficient and transparent."