Degree courses 'not value for money', say third of students

14 May 13
The number of students in England who think their university course is not value for money has almost doubled over the past seven years, a survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute has revealed.

By Richard Johnstone | 15 May 2013

The number of students in England who think their university course is not value for money has almost doubled over the past seven years, a survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute has revealed.


Students graduating

Almost a third of students polled by the think-tank (29%), said their course was poor value for money. The survey, produced by the institute with consumer publication Which?, was the first since the government lifted the cap on undergraduate degree fees in England from £3,225 a year to £9,000 in 2012/13.

By contrast, in 2006 – the last year when fees were capped at £1,000 by the former Labour government – only 16% of students said their course was poor value for money.

Overall, most undergraduates were satisfied with their course, with almost nine out of ten (87%) agreeing that it was good quality.

Responding to the figures, the University and College Union said students expected a better service as a result of the increase in fees, although the universities themselves were not receiving any extra money. The  government’s changes to higher education fundingin England had cut teaching grants in line with higher fees.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said it was not surprising some students ‘expect more bang for their increased buck, following the rise in university fees’.

She added: ‘Frustratingly, despite the hike in fees, universities are not any better off after the government slashed state support for higher education.

‘Staff and universities simply cannot do more for less. If we are to maintain a world-class university system, producing satisfied graduates ready to tackle the challenges of the future, then we have to accept that that costs money. Higher education remains something this country can do well, but it needs proper investment.’



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