Starmer is right, we need to give up on the cult of a university education for all

Labour leader Keir Starmer came under fire for his recent reverse ferret on abolishing university tuition fees. Some see it as an inability to stick to a pledge, while others view it as  a further betrayal of the policies of Jeremy Corbyn. From an egalitarian perspective, Starmer’s decision is absolutely correct. Abolishing fees would cost over […]

Universities follow perverse incentive models out of touch with the labour market

The days tick by to the summer ritual of the announcement of A-level results. Yet panic is already spreading among those wanting to start university in the autumn. The number of applicants has risen by 5 per cent this year, according to the university admissions service (UCAS). In addition, many universities are cutting back the […]

Universities have sown their own demise with blended learning and short courses

The start of autumn has seen the start of the university term for students since time immemorial. This time round of course, the ritual of hauling luggage round the country to the halls of residence has not quite been on the same scale as usual. Some universities, including members of the prestigious Russell Group, are […]