Added value to degree debate

Having failed to recognise that failings at GCSE level stem from the inadequacies of primary education rather than the exam syllabus, Ministers now propose to overhaul the university system following a year of turmoil over tuition fees.

If the need to cut spending was not so urgent, the coalition would have outlined its aspirations and objectives, and then tried to devise a realistic – and affordable – financial framework.

Now it has the worst of both worlds: student fees that exceed, considerably, the expectations of Ministers, and claims that the reforms are driven by financial constraints rather than any desire for excellence on the Government’s part.

This is regrettable as the much-delayed White Paper actually provides an opportunity to address some of higher education’s fundamental failings.

A welcome legacy of student fees will be far greater awareness about whether universities offer value for money – and, specifically, those courses that do not lead to the best long-term career opportunities.

This is important. If graduates do not obtain moderately-paid jobs after completing their studies, they will not be in a position to repay their fees, leaving the Government with an even greater black hole in its finances.

That said, the prospect of the Government relaxing rules on admissions numbers does provide forward-thinking universities with the chance of attracting more students to help fund expansion plans. It should – if some of the more febrile rhetoric can be neutralised – lead to universities working far more collaboratively with schools and sixth form colleges on A-levels, and the qualifications that students will need to pursue their chosen career. Again, this has the potential to make a lasting difference.

However, this will not happen until Ministers articulate a coherent narrative for higher education that places the onus on universities to provide value for money, challenges students to study harder and enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their academic potential so that they, too, can become tomorrow’s high-fliers.