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23 février 2012

One-in-four university degree courses axed 'to save cash'

http://www.andrewhaslen.co.uk/graphics/imageTwo1295956979.jpgBy Graeme Paton, Education Editor. More than a quarter of degree courses have been axed in just six years as universities increasingly abandon serious academic disciplines to save money, according to research. Universities said the reduction would have devastating consequences for higher education in England. Growing numbers of universities are dropping standalone courses in subjects such as science, foreign languages and the humanities because of a squeeze on budgets, it was revealed.
Leading academics warned that the higher education system was “going backwards” as universities prioritised profit-making subjects with a short-term surge in applications over traditional disciplines.
Sir Richard Roberts, the Nobel prize-winning scientist, said British universities were increasingly seen as “technical colleges” specialising in a narrow range of areas instead of providing a “broad and balanced education” to encourage innovation.
It is feared that the decline will accelerate in coming years as the cap on student tuition fees almost triples to £9,000 a year – forcing institutions to prioritise the cheapest subjects.
The study by the University and College Union showed that the overall number of full-time undergraduate courses in Britain dropped by 27 per cent between 2006 and 2012 – from 70,052 to 51,116. In England – where students are facing the biggest rise in tuition fees – the number of degree subjects has fallen by almost a third. By comparison, in Scotland, where student tuition is free, courses are down by just three per cent. Researchers warned of academic deserts in some areas as whole regions of England fail to offer standalone courses in some subjects such as French and German.
Writing in the UCU study, Sir Richard said: “One of the hallmarks of a British education in my earlier years was the very breadth of subject matter that could be studied and that our policies are now seeking to restrict.
“While this may make economic sense, it is almost guaranteed to lead to the deterioration of the human mind and its opportunities for innovation.”
As part of the report, the UCU analysed the effect on “principal” degree courses covering the social sciences, arts and humanities and the so-called “STEM” subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths. The study reported a 14 per cent drop overall in these subjects, although the decline was quickest in the STEM subjects which are traditionally among the most expensive to offer. It comes despite repeated Government attempts to safeguard the subjects, which are seen as vital to Britain’s economic competitiveness.
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: “While successive governments have been dreaming up new ways to increase the cost of going to university, the range of subjects available to students has fallen massively.
“As student numbers have continued to rise, choice has fallen across almost all disciplines, including STEM subjects.
“The UK’s global academic reputation is built on the broad range of subjects available and on the freedom of academics to push at the boundaries and create new areas of study. This report shows that, while government rhetoric is all about students as consumers, the curriculum has actually narrowed significantly.”
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "There are more students studying than ever before. Our reforms are freeing up places at the institutions where students wish to study and bringing higher education into more local communities.
“Student choice is becoming more meaningful and no one should be put off as a result financial concerns.”
But Donald Braben, honorary professor in life sciences at University College London, said: “I fear we are going backwards. Universities exist to challenge what we think we know and offer well-argued and coherent alternatives. They are unique in these respects.
“However, if we limit their scope and oblige them to concentrate on short-term practical problems, their advice might be indistinguishable from that provided by other sources.
“Meanwhile, the big problems would continue unresolved.”
*Billions of pounds of foreign investment could be lost as tough immigration rules put thousands of international foreign students off studying in Britain. Research published yesterday showed global investment in British universities stood at £7.9bn in 2008/9 and is forecast to grow to almost £17bn by 2025.
But the position is under threat by new visa restrictions, including more rigorous language requirements and restrictions on post-study employment, which risks pushing students from countries such as China and India to other English-speaking nations including the US and Australia. The study – by Graham Able, chief executive of the Alpha Plus schools’ group, and Fraser White, executive chairman of Dulwich College International, an off-shoot of the south London private school – said the “future loss of potential business to the UK economy if we do not attract Asian students to the UK could be enormous”.

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