Universities' annual funding reduced by £533m

Out,_Vile_Jelly

phil_b wrote: »

Theres too much damn 'easing in', molly-coddling and trying to look like we're matching international standards.

Of course we have to match (or indeed set) international standards- why would anyone bother studying here otherwise, or recruiting any of our graduates?

How long do you think we should squish Medicine and Veterinary Science (currently 5 years) into- one term? Think of the money that could be saved!

ruggedtoast

To be honest it was only a matter of time before Nu Lab attempted to make degrees as worthless as they've made A levels and GCSE's.

phil_b_2

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Of course we have to match (or indeed set) international standards- why would anyone bother studying here otherwise, or recruiting any of our graduates?

How long do you think we should squish Medicine and Veterinary Science (currently 5 years) into- one term? Think of the money that could be saved!

I'm not saying make all degrees shorter, far from it. Medicine is a totally different ball-game to the majority of others. Good doctors need to study for a long time and deserve the rewards they get after it.

There is a plethora of degree courses that would benefit greatly from being cut to 2 years IMO. These mostly include the art/design related courses Vs academic/science courses, where the learning styles and end-goals are radically different.

I appreciate that would make them a 'lesser' degree than some others, but they are what they are...

amcluesent

The University of Buckingham as been offering 1st degree in two years for a while. They run four terms per year, just a few weeks summer holiday.

http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/standingout/twoyear/twoworks.html

The_Fat_el_Hombre

I work at a university and we've just cut 127 jobs, that's the first time we've had to cut anything like that in decades. We're ok for the current academic period but there is defo another wave due next year and probably more after that.

julieq

OMG, I'm agreeing with Ruggedtoast :O

Did someone slip something into the mulled wine?

One other point, see how slickly this was announced on the busiest shopping day before Christmas when no-one is paying attention. Mandy never disappoints.

lostinrates

phil_b wrote: »

I'm not saying make all degrees shorter, far from it. Medicine is a totally different ball-game to the majority of others. Good doctors need to study for a long time and deserve the rewards they get after it.

There is a plethora of degree courses that would benefit greatly from being cut to 2 years IMO. These mostly include the art/design related courses Vs academic/science courses, where the learning styles and end-goals are radically different.

I appreciate that would make them a 'lesser' degree than some others, but they are what they are...

Some degree courses have HND students sitting in, and the two year completion (same courses different assignments...dare I say..less academic?) then they can sit the same final year and a year of WE and get a degree. This happened on my course, and it SERIOUSLY devalued the course. Content was dumbed down while I was there, seriously, taking it from a course I'd chosen because it was the best scientific content in the subject at any provider, to being ...pants. Before the changes there were under 30 in the course, the next year....150 ish I think...maybe fewer, but a dramatic increase.

TBF, I believe the changes were arranged under the last year of tory government.

hells_2

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I thought about Bologna too- having known some people at the uni where I work and how many years of effort have gone into dragging the UK into line.

I don't agree that 3 year courses can automatically be condensed into 2 years. Whilst the first year of a degree is often slightly easier, the point is to build up a base of study skills and to bridge the gap from A-Levels.

I'm probably going to go and do a degree next year at the age of 39!!!
For me, cramming it into a 2 year Foundation Degree (them having done away with the HND qualification) is actually better.
How can 15 hours a week be hard work?
I agree, this might sort out the wheat from the chaff. The tutors I've spoken to have been quite encouraging insofar as I'm older and have an incentive to work hard so as to change my career by getting through the degree course quickly, and getting work in my chosen new industry while I'm at it.
The youngsters might not have this same drive. I know I didn't when I was 19, which is why I wasn't arsed about continuing my education.

I'm not taking a degree because I think I need it...it's because it gives me the opportunity to learn all the skills I will need (although it's more a 'refresher' of earlier college education 20 years ago). I will most likely end up self-employed afterwards anyway so the piece of paper won't mean much. Sound daft? No. I have my motives!

nearlynew

The government doesn't want a well-educated population.

ukcarper

It was Possible to go from ONC Electrical/Electronic engineering usually regarded as equivalent to A-levels to Degree level in 6 years part time, that’s one day and evening a week while working the rest of the time so 2 years sounds ok to me.