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Universities are far more numerous than they were a generation ago, far more people attend them and have to borrow a great deal of money - up to £9,000 a year - for the privilege. That expansion in higher education has resulted, in many cases, in a diminution in the standards of teaching, which the Government now wants to address.
The proposals which David Willetts, the higher education minister, is to announce to the Commons would increase competition between universities, encourage market forces in education by allowing private universities to expand and give prospective students information about courses to promote consumer choice.
These are all good things but they risk making universities seem like any other commercial institution rather than bodies that advance scholarship and inculcate students with a knowledge and love of their subject. That is one danger of the Higher Education Funding Council's otherwise laudable requirement that universities publish information about themselves on something like a price comparison website, showing graduates' salaries, tuition hours and the satisfaction ratings of students.
Plainly, students want to know they are getting value for their hefty tuition fees. And encouraging them to examine what universities have to offer and to seek out the best-performing ones is a reliable way of raising standards. But although competition improves most institutions and services, the unique vocation of the universities has to be acknowledged and protected.
Indeed, it would be possible for Mr Willetts to improve what he calls the "student experience" without resorting to yet another policy revolution. In far too many universities, students get little time with tutors, have far too few lectures and have to submit too little work. These abuses are a consequence of the inflation in the size of the sector. If the minister wanted, he could close failing institutions and reform others, as an alternative to working through the mechanism of the market.
The proposals are logical, using consumer choice to drive up university standards, but they give the wearying impression that the Government is perpetually engaged in policy revolution. It has arguably enough on its hands at present, coping with the public and professional response to its radical NHS reforms. It could do without another ideological conflict. Mr Willetts is right to want to improve universities' standards, but his market-driven approach still has to be sold to many academics or students.
Gang warfare
In summer, tempers rise quickly but the latest outbreak of gang violence in London is due to far more worrying factors than a climb in the temperature. There has been an increase in the number of attacks on young people, by girls as well as boys. Police are seeking two girl gang members who inflicted terrifying violence on victims in a mugging at Aldgate. And while the Met has broken one robbery gang responsible for terrorising schoolgirls using knives and hammers, we can expect similar attacks this summer. The police have a perpetual challenge dealing with the many facets of risks to the public, from terrorism to gun crime. They have to deal with the emergence of the new gangs, however, as an urgent priority.
London's top notes
The singer, Beyoncé, has entertained her friends at a secret gig in Shepherd's Bush in a free concert. At this time of year, thrill-seekers may go to venues like Glastonbury, but it's in London that the real fun happens.
Reader views (3)
Havard in the US is probably the most expensive but most prestigious University in the World.
Ex US President George Bush went there as did Labours Ed Balls.
Neither have been able to master the prestigious jobs they were given in Government.
So their spell at Harvard University was solely about the prestige of being able to afford go there.
In UK we have no useable yardstick yet to indicate the academic value of any University other than Oxford & or Cambridge.
A Mickey mouse degree from any UK Red Brick University is still below the level of a certificate from the Polytechnics Labour disguised as a Universities.
Employers used to go around real Universities "the Milkround" to take on the cream of students to train them for their businesses.
Labours Teaching degrees have produced the most inadequate teachers in the whole of Europe.
It is pointless for students to pay £30,000 for a dumbed down subject like media studies in a New Labour failed University. As Employers in the Advertising & or Media busunesses would just laugh at it.
They would be far better off getting any job. Doing an OU degree for a real University Subject of rigour like Science & or Maths.
The partime tutors desperatley need their students to pass their courses or their out of a job so no student need fail. How inadequate their education was in those centres to reinforce ignorance described laughling as Comprehensive Schools where the teachers no nothing so can teach nowt
- BASR, Deepest Wales, 28/06/2011 18:40
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Still dont understand why you would pay at least £9000 to gain a qualification which most times are not favoured by employers. We find that a lot of marketing degree students will go on and do a CIM qualification because these give them on the job tools and means they can hit the ground running as soon as they start rather than the employer spending months to educate them in the real working world ways rather than the academic ways.
Oh and it is a lot cheaper, more recognised and takes less time to gain.
Just a thought.
- Cambridge Professional Academy, Cambridge - Cambridgeshire, 28/06/2011 13:12
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Up to £9000?
You mean at least £9000.
- graham hart, stoke-on-trent, 28/06/2011 12:45
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