New Month Old Post: First Posted 29th November 2018
Two items in the recent press about Higher Education:
1. Universities are awarding too many first class degrees. The think-tank Reform argues that universities risk losing their credibility due to “rocketing grade inflation”. Apparently, 26% of U.K. students now get first-class degrees and one university awards them to over 40% of students. Similarly the proportion of 2:1 degrees, nationally, is now nearly 50%. The think-tank suggests the number of first-class degrees should be capped at 10%, 2:1 and 2:2 degrees at 40% each, with the lowest 10% getting a third. (Guardian; BBC).
2. Universities are making too many unconditional offers. Ucas reports that a third of 18-year-old university applicants received some form of unconditional offer last year, made up of true unconditional offers, and conditional offers which became unconditional when an applicant makes that university a firm choice. Some institutions are also offering students four-figure bursaries. (Guardian).
The reports highlight massive increases in the numbers: a doubling of high grades over ten years, and an almost thirty-fold increase in unconditional offers over five years.
Well, when I graduated in 1980, out of the 70 people who started the course, just 2 got firsts, less than 3%, and that was an exceptional year. Some years there weren’t any. And it was completely unknown for universities to make unconditional offers to 18-year-olds yet to take their ‘A’ levels; it might not even have been allowed.
Isn’t it simply a case of commercial organisations providing the service their customers want? In almost any other sector it would be singled out for praise. Perhaps if universities had not been turned into competing businesses in the first place, these things would not be happening.
I graduated in the early 60s. Of my honors degree class two out of 70+ students got firsts. A handful got thirds, the rest between upper and lower seconds. I've been very impressed recently hearing about new graduates with firsts, but now I'm having second thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThere were few universities then, too, massive competition to get in. That was when the government picked up the cost of tuition -- they could afford it, fewer graduates.
Different now.
It used to be a minority that attended university. Now the numbers are huge.
ReplyDeleteMany students do not complete the first year. Those who graduate in anything non-vocational, and even many vocational graduates feel they have to do a post-graduate degree if ever their job applications are to make it to the provisional interview pile.
Graduates who do manage to find jobs will never repay their loans until they reach a specified salary level.
No wonder so many young people are looking to other countries for their futures.
I think one in our group of 20 got a 1st back in 1973. It seems like you've just got to be there to get one now.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to University so don't really understand the way it works. I've long thought the way everyone is almost forced to go to University and vocational careers are treated as second class choices.
ReplyDeleteOurs are cash cows milking overseas students. To note, I've seen my boarders put a lot of time and effort in their studies, even though they are rarely required to make physical appearances.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of dumbing down in higher education these days. When I became the first member of my known family to go to a university*, only around 13% of my generation got that opportunity. I think that far too many average school leavers are now led up the proverbial garden path and saddled with debt. Universities appear to actively encourage this process as they vie to get bums on seats.
ReplyDelete* My brother Paul went to Liverpool Polytechnic and my father Philip went to St John's teacher training college in York.
It is another way to grab money from the innocent. A carrot dangled in front of the young with aspirations towards a well paid job. Unfortunately................ jobs are thin on the ground and practicality is forgotten. Three grandchildren up in London because they think the streets are paved in gold. Who is to tell them it is a myth, only the strongest survive.
ReplyDeleteHad a long conversation about honours degrees just a couple of days ago - in NZ one is only invited to participate in honours courses after a year or two at Uni and it requires an extra year of study, papers in philosophy of science/research, and commitment to advancement of a body of knowledge.
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