Academic freedom is at the heart of our higher education system. Universities have the primary responsibility for determining course content and maintaining the standards of the awards they deliver and the quality of the education they provide. The standards of degrees awarded by HEIs, and the quality of learning opportunities, are subject to independent review by the Quality Assurance Agency and external examiners.
It is important that universities are able to teach and research the wide range of theological and ideological religious views and that these views are subjected to true academic rigour and scrutiny provided that what is being taught does not break the law by espousing or advocating violent extremism.
In January of this year, we issued guidance to the higher education sector on tackling violent extremism on campus—“Promoting Good Campus Relations, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism in Universities and Higher Education Colleges”. This document gave practical advice to universities on building resilience to violent extremism in their campus but also emphasised the need for free and open debate around extremist ideologies.