Universities facing threat of cuts in student places (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton universities facing threat of cuts in student places
12:02pm Monday 3rd October 2011 in Southampton
University of Southampton graduates
HUNDREDS of places are to be stripped from Southampton’s universities, according to a new study.
It is claimed that Southampton University will lose between 100 and 150 places from 2012, and Southampton Solent between 200 and 250, if the Government’s proposed changes to university funding are carried out.
Similar reductions are expected in future years.
The Government insisted its system would be “student-led”, allowing students to secure funding to study at the institution of their choice.
But the Labour Party said the Government had “made the wrong choice” when it set out plans, currently subject to a consultation, for a fee shake-up.
Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said: “For the last few weeks, students have been fighting to get places at these universities.
“Next year, they won’t have the chance, if thousands of places are taken away from local universities. The government is so determined to force down fees, without worrying about the quality of education.
“This is not good news for Southampton students.”
The expected drop in numbers at the two universities is a result of the Government setting aside 20,000 places to universities charging fees of less than £7,500 a year.
Both Southampton universities have set their fees at above this amount, so would be unable to bid for the pot of 20,000 places, which will be created by reducing the core allocations currently given to universities, unless they drop their own fees.
Both universities declined to comment on the study, claiming it was “premature”.
Average fees from September 2012 are currently £8,161.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: “Our reforms put students at the heart of the system.
“Universities will be able to recruit an unlimited number of high achieving students next year. Our proposals will give more students a better chance of going to the university of their choice.”
Comments(3)
Huffter
says...
6:22pm Mon 3 Oct 11
eurogordi wrote:And in twenty years time the government will be complaining that we haven't got people with the necessary skills.... and dishing out work permits to all and sundry from overseas.
Too many people have gone to university during the last ten years, and too many graduates now find themselves working in non-graduate jobs or are unemployed. Reducing numbers is actually a good thing and will hopefully balance out the labour market in the next 10-20 years.
eurogordi
says...
7:06pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Huffter wrote:Going to university doesn't always mean skills you know. When it comes to professionals such as doctors, vets, teachers etc., then a university education is no problem at all.
eurogordi wrote:And in twenty years time the government will be complaining that we haven't got people with the necessary skills.... and dishing out work permits to all and sundry from overseas.
Too many people have gone to university during the last ten years, and too many graduates now find themselves working in non-graduate jobs or are unemployed. Reducing numbers is actually a good thing and will hopefully balance out the labour market in the next 10-20 years.
It's all those who study one of the many other seemingly worthless degrees, that are not linked to definite careers or where there are just not enough job opportunities.
The skills shortage is already here in jobs that don't need a degree. But get a degree and people expect to earn much more than these jobs pay ... so we import other people who will do these jobs without any preconceived ideas.
eurogordi says...
1:46pm Mon 3 Oct 11