New research indicates that more than 27,000 students have signed up for what are being labelled 'rip-off' or 'Mickey Mouse' university courses over the past four years. The findings, compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA), identify almost 800 degree programmes that are said to offer limited cultural value or poor job prospects.
The Scale of 'Low-Value' Degrees
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests shows a total of 787 such courses have enrolled students since the 2022-23 academic year. The analysis covered undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as short courses. Buckinghamshire New University and Nottingham Trent University were found to have the highest number of these programmes.
The list includes degrees linked to hobbies and niche interests. Examples include five separate degrees in 'esports' – competitive video gaming – and a Master's in 'Outdoor and Experiential Learning' at the University of Cumbria, which offers a specialism in 'bushcraft'. Meanwhile, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London runs a Master's degree exploring the 'traditions of yoga and meditation'.
The 'Woke' Courses Under Scrutiny
Approximately 60 of the identified courses were described by the TPA as having 'woke' themes with few real-world applications. Among them is a now-closed Master's in 'Climate Justice' at Glasgow Caledonian University and a course in 'Race, Education and Decolonial Thought' at Leeds Beckett University.
Even prestigious Russell Group institutions were cited. The University of Nottingham offers a Master's in 'Workplace Health and Wellbeing', while the University of Manchester provides an advanced degree in 'Gender, Sexuality and Culture'. The University of Bristol previously ran a Master's in 'Contemporary Identities'.
A notable example is the free, five-week 'Net Zero Bootcamp' at London South Bank University, backed by the Mayor of London and HM Government. It aims to help professionals 're-energise' their careers alongside sustainability experts.
Political Backlash and Taxpayer Concerns
The report has ignited a fierce political debate over the value of taxpayer-subsidised higher education. Callum McGoldrick, investigations campaign manager at the TPA, argued that the public is 'sick of seeing their hard-earned cash subsidise rip-off degrees that offer little to no return on investment.' He labelled the subjects 'a state-sponsored vanity project' where universities profit while the public foots the bill for loans unlikely to be fully repaid.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticised what she called 'debt trap' degrees that leave students with poor job prospects and substantial debt. She stated that the Conservatives would end such courses and instead focus on doubling apprenticeships to provide genuine choice for school leavers.
The issue of course quality is already on the political agenda. Last year, Labour pledged to clamp down on poor-quality degrees by empowering the Office for Students to limit student numbers on substandard courses. The current government's post-16 education white paper also outlines plans for a crackdown.
Financial Burden and University Defence
The financial implications are significant. Undergraduate tuition fees rose to £9,535 a year in 2025, fully covered by government loans which are written off after 30-40 years if unpaid. Postgraduate loans are capped at £12,858, leaving students to cover any additional costs for Master's degrees that can reach £30,000.
Universities named in the report have defended their programmes. A University of Nottingham spokesman said its workplace health course is largely taken by senior professionals, with half having fees paid by employers, and 'the taxpayer does not contribute'. The University of Cumbria stated its outdoor learning programme is research-informed and ranked in the top 10 for graduate employment.
Similarly, the University of Manchester asserted that gender and sexuality are 'highly suitable for academic study', while Glasgow Caledonian University highlighted its recent award as UK University of the Year for Graduate Jobs.
The term 'Mickey Mouse course' entered the political lexicon during the New Labour era, coined by former universities minister Baroness Hodge to describe degrees with less rigorous content and poorer job prospects. This latest analysis suggests the debate over their funding and value is far from over.
