PM Takes Swipe at ‘Rip-Off’ Uni Degrees
Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan are cracking down on dodgy uni courses that leave students drowning in debt with poor job prospects. The government aims to protect both young people and taxpayers from paying for courses that fail to deliver.
Stop the Student Dropouts and Dead-End Degrees
The Office for Students (OfS) will now cap student numbers on courses with high dropout rates and low graduate earnings. Nearly 30% of grads don’t land skilled jobs or further study 15 months after graduating, and one in five would have been better off skipping university altogether, according to independent research.
Foundation year fees will be slashed from £9,250 to £5,760. These extra years prep students for tough courses like medicine but are often misused for subjects like business where they’re unnecessary.
Better Info, Better Choices for Students
The OfS will also step up efforts to give students clear data on course quality and salary prospects, helping them pick paths that lead to real jobs—be it uni degrees, apprenticeships, or technical qualifications.
Government & Experts Back Tough New Rules
Rishi Sunak said: “Too many young people are sold a false dream — poor-quality courses paid for by taxpayers, without decent jobs at the end. We’re cracking down on rip-off courses while boosting skills and apprenticeships to help young people and grow the economy.”
Gillian Keegan added: “Students and taxpayers expect value for money. Poor-quality courses won’t be tolerated. Our measures ensure students gain skills for great jobs, supporting the Prime Minister’s economic growth plan.”
Philip Augar, education expert: “This sends a strong signal for universities to stop recruiting students into courses that don’t benefit them.”
Edward Peck, nottingham/" title="Nottingham" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Nottingham Trent Uni: “Aligning foundation year fees with access courses helps students. Improved quality controls using graduate salaries will raise standards.”
Baroness Alison Wolf: “Foundation year growth was unjustified. Fee alignment will better link further and higher education.”
More Choices & Apprenticeships on the Rise
The government is expanding apprenticeships, T Levels, and Institutes of Technology. From autumn, a new digital platform will let people easily find training, apprenticeships, and skills courses all in one place. Employers will also face a simpler system to take on apprentices.
Anthony Impey, Be The Business chief: “Small firms are time-poor. These changes will open up apprenticeships and boost productivity.”
FD Works accountancy firm: “Apprentices have been vital to our growth. The government’s improvements make the system better for small businesses like ours.”
Jane Gratton, British Chambers of Commerce: “Apprenticeships cut skills shortages, but the process was tricky. It’s great to see bureaucracy slash and awareness raised to help match people with real jobs.”
The government’s fresh measures are set to shake up higher education and open new doors, giving students real chances to succeed without breaking the bank.
