The UK government is taking aim at university degrees that fail to deliver value for money, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announcing tough new measures to crack down on so-called 'rip-off' courses.
Protecting Students from Poor Returns
Under the proposed reforms, universities in England could face restrictions on recruiting students for courses that consistently show poor employment outcomes or low earnings potential for graduates. The move comes amid growing concerns about student debt and the value of certain degrees in the jobs market.
Key Measures Include:
- Minimum thresholds for graduate employment rates
- Earnings benchmarks for different subject areas
- Stronger powers for the Office for Students to intervene
- Potential caps on student numbers for underperforming courses
Phillipson emphasised that while UK universities are world-leading institutions, 'students deserve to know their investment will pay off'. The reforms aim to ensure taxpayers' money and students' time are well spent.
Sector Response
University leaders have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the focus on quality but others warning against oversimplifying the value of education. The Russell Group cautioned that graduate earnings vary by region and shouldn't be the sole measure of a course's worth.
The proposals follow similar moves by the previous Conservative government, suggesting cross-party concern about the issue. Implementation is expected to begin in the 2025-26 academic year.
