A report examining the experience of students at university revealed that the current system which safeguards standards is "out of date, inconsistent and should be replaced".
Furthermore, it suggested the replacement of the current Quality Assurance Agency with an independent Quality and Standards Agency.
It was also urged that a greater standard of support needed to be offered to mature and part-time students attending higher education, going on to say that the current system "amounts to a form of discrimination".
A forthcoming review by the government needs to examine this support in terms of finance and the flexibility of universities to attract and retain such attendees.
The news comes as Tim Nichols, press and parliamentary officer for the Child Poverty Action Group, said more action needed to be taken to support bright children from low-income backgrounds in attending higher education.
