UK universities told to provide two year degrees to help recovery

Universities in the United Kingdom have been told today by the government that they must offer more "fast-track" degrees to students and move away from the tradition of three-year-courses in a bid to reduce budgets and boost economy.

Speaking today, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said that he wanted to see more students taking degrees that last only two years. He also said next year's higher education budget would be cut. He also said that with Britain recovering from the longest recession recorded, more graduates were needed in fields like science and engineering. To aid the recovery more graduates should have work-related degrees, he added. The announcement has led teaching unions to state that these cuts will only result in job losses and the creation of a two-tiered education system that would, over-all, benefit the privileged. In return the government responded by saying that the changes would provide more degree graduates able to help with the economic recovery and also cut spending costs. Mandelson said, "The economic situation is extremely challenging. Across the public sector we are all facing difficult choices. We will want some shift away from full-time, three-year places and towards a wider variety of provision." Next year's higher education cuts mean that 7.3 billion pounds will be available, a reduction of 533 million pounds; universities were warned to stay within limits for new students. David Lammy, the Higher Education Minister, said that universities must also play their part in aiding the recovery and easing pressure on public finances. However, representing 120,000 academics, the University and College Union raised the concern that these changes would mean an increase in class sizes and force job cuts as well as damaging the universities themselves. Sally Hunt, the UCU General Secretary said, "It is a real Christmas kick in the teeth for staff and students. You cannot make these kinds of cuts and expect no consequences." Adding their concerns the National Union of Students worried that these shorter degrees would be providing higher education "on the cheap". Wes Streeting, the NUS president, said, "The scheme must not be about forcing poorer students to choose courses that are not right for them."