Higher Education Policy
The Society provides Government and other policy makers – including funders of biological education and research – with independent evidence-based opinion, representative of the widest range of bioscience disciplines.
The Royal Society of Biology responses to Higher Education specific consultations are documented below. If you would like to contribute to a response, or draw our attention to other relevant consultations, please email Lauren McLeod.
The Royal Society of Biology have created a summary document on the Teaching Excellence Framework subject-level pilot specification
August 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to an inquiry into closing the STEM skills gap
January 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to an inquiry on the impact of exiting the European Union on higher education
November 2016
The Learned Societies' Group has responded to the Consultation on the Draft Curriculum for Excellence Benchmarks for Assessments in the Sciences
October 2016
The Learned Societies' Group of which the Royal Society of Biology is a member has responded to the Scottish Government's draft Benchmarks for Assessments in the Sciences.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Royal Society call for views on education research
October 2016
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee green paper: 'Higher education: teaching excellence, social mobility and student choice'
January 2016
The RSB consulted with its membership, committees and special interest groups to develop its response to the green paper.
The QAA has published the Benchmark Statements for the Biosciences and Biomedical Sciences
November 2015
The RSB contributed to reviewing final drafts of the benchmarks for university courses in the biosciences and biomedical sciences.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee Inquiry: Assessing the Quality of Higher Education
October 2015
The RSB responded to the BIS committee inquiry addressing the HEFCE review and the Teaching Excellence Framework.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the future approaches to quality assessment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: consultation
August 2015
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on the review of quality assessment across the higher education sector in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on the draft Biosciences Benchmark and Biomedical Sciences Benchmark
August 2015
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on the benchmarks for university courses in the biosciences and biomedical sciences.
Royal Society of Biology response to Consultation on Support for Postgraduate Study
May 2015
The Royal Society of Biology responded to a proposed loan system for postgraduate taught master’s students. Under the scheme, anyone under 30 who is eligible and accepted to study will be able to apply for a loan of up to £10,000.
SCORE HE Admissions Guide to Science A level Assessment Changes
May 2015
This guide aims to shine light on the changes to the assessment of practical work in the sciences at A level and what they mean for HE institutions. It is written primarily for admissions officers and tutors.
SCORE response to Carter Review of Initial Teacher Training (England): Call for Evidence
22 September 2014
SCORE responded to the Carter Review call for evidence from the Department for Education regarding Initial Teacher Training in England.
Royal Society of Biology response to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Culture Committee inquiry into Scotland's Educational and Cultural Future
05 March 2014
The Society responded to the Further and Higher Education theme of the Committee's inquiry into Scotland's Educational and Cultural Future. Our response focused on issues surrounding research funding and immigration policies.
Royal Society of Biology response to the Lords Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into International STEM students
25 February 2014
The Society responded to the Committee's inquiry into international STEM students, highlighting the importance of international students to the culture and economic viability of Higher Education Institutions in the UK.
HUBS response to the Ofqual consultation on proposed A level Regulatory Requirements
17 January 2014
The Heads of University Biosciences responded to the Ofqual consultation on proposed A level Regulatory Requirements.
Royal Society of Biology response to HEFCE Consultation on open access in the post-2014 Research Excellence Framework
28 October 2013
The society responded to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's consultation on how the open access requirements for submissions to the Research Excellence Framework after 2014.
Royal Society of Biology response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on women in academic STEM careers
05 September 2013
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on women in academic STEM careers.
Royal Society of Biology response to the Institute of Public Policy Research on the future of Higher Education in England
28 September 2012
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the Institute of Public Policy Research on the future of Higher Education in England.
Royal Society of Biology response to the White Paper: Further and Higher Education (Wales) Bill
24 September 2012
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the Welsh Government to the White Paper: Further and Higher Education (Wales) Bill.
Royal Society of Biology response to the UCAS Admissions Process Review
20 January 2012
A response from the Royal Society of Biology on the UCAS Admissions Process Review.
Royal Society of Biology response to House of Lords Science and Technology committee enquiry on higher education in STEM subjects
16 December 2011
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the House of Lords Science and Technology committee enquiry on higher education in STEM subjects.
Royal Society of Biology response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on a new fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for the Higher Education sector
27 October 2011
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on a new fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for the Higher Education sector.
A joint response from the Royal Society of Biology, Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Chemistry to the consultation on the HE White Paper
28 September 2011
The Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Society of Biology have worked together to form this response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' consultation on the strategy described in the Higher Education White Paper.
Royal Society of Biology response to HEFCE consultation on teaching funding and student number controls
02 September 2011
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the HEFCE consultation on teaching funding and student number controls.
Royal Society of Biology initial response to Higher Education White Paper
08 August 2011
An initial response to the Higher Education White Paper, sent to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The Future of Higher Education
17 March 2011
A response from the Royal Society of Biology to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee.