University courses which are failing to secure graduate employment are to be "named and shamed" under government proposals to give students a clearer choice of degree and to curb the cost of tuition fees.
This measure, forming part of the government's white paper on higher education released on Tuesday, promises to give more power to students to ensure that they get their money's worth after the confirmation that tuition fees will rise to ??9,000 from 2012 onwards. This announcement, released in a week which has seen graduate news dominated by research confirming that competition for jobs is at an all time high, has received mixed reactions.
It is widely recognised as the most radical shake-up of the higher education system in decades. The infamous white paper is expected to contain measures to allow highly ranked universities to offer places to students achieving at least AAB at A-level in a bid to see institutions grow. Further information tells us that those universities remaining outside the ??9,000 tuition fee bracket may also be offered the opportunity to increase their numbers. While such proposals, which seem to see the government encouraging institutions to lower their fees and widen their calibre of applicants, demonstrate an attempt to reduce future graduate unemployment, the government is once again facing headlines containing the term "U-turn". Melanie Addis, a current student at Royal Holloway University, says: 2The government has dug their own graves within the financial crisis capping university tuition ??9,000, so they now get universities to compete for a certain number of students in the hope that they will limit the fees to attract the students...These reforms are ridiculous."
The contents of the white paper has also been criticised by Labour and the National Union of Students who fear that the quality of courses may suffer and the changes could leave students open to "market chaos" in the higher education sector. Aaron Porter, NUS president said: "Ministers are at risk of creating stability for the perceived best but complete chaos for the rest."
Universities minister, David Willetts, has proposed that courses which are failing to bring current graduates' success will be abandoned. He further claims that universities will be forced to publish more information about employment in order to "transform" the amount of information student's are given. Talking to BBC Breakfast Willetts said: "There are some courses that are far better at preparing young people for the world of work than others...Yes, all that information should be out there,and we are insisting for the first time that it should be available for prospective students."
While many students are praising this attempt by the government to ensure that the next generation of graduates are not still competing 80 people per one job, they have many questions for the universities minister. Matt Saegert, University of Southampton, talking to the National Student Newspaper said: "How [will you] make sure the quality of teaching is up to scratch?" Chantal Gold, Plymouth University, similarly questions: "Why couldn't the Government have released the white paper earlier so that politicians could have made a more informed decision when they voted on higher fees?"
The student population has spoken and now only time will tell the government's next move in its bid to save future graduates from widespread unemployment.
Elise, GRB Journalist
