Graduate News & Advice

Students must go abroad for a degree

Milkround News, 20 August 2010
 

More students may look to study abroad as the number of places at UK universities this summer does not meet demand.

Up to 200,000 youngsters could miss out on a university place in Britain, and head to Europe or Asia to study for a degree.

As more than one in four A Level students were gaining at least one A grade and the pass rate hit a record 97.6 percent, Higher Education Minister David Willetts said "sorry" as he revealed there will not be a place for all those who want to got to university.

He added: "It has always been a competitive process but for them we've got the widest possible range of alternative options, including, of course, studying at Open University, studying at an FE college, going into work with an apprenticeship. All those options are available as well. I think it is great that young people aim high, but it is competitive and sadly not every person who applies will get a place.'

He also attacked the current system of top-up fees, saying "Ministers must introduce a fair, progressive and sustainable alternative that supports rather than penalises students."

The NUS were critial of the government, claiming the cap on university places and cuts to education and training budgets were making life tough for young people.

NUS President Aaron Porter said: “With youth unemployment pushing one million, savage education funding cuts and arbitrary limits on places, the Government is at risk of imposing poverty of opportunity on a generation of young people facing a very uncertain future.”

“Rather than belittling the achievements of those who have worked hard to achieve their results and aspire to better themselves and their life chances, Ministers should make it clear what on earth they expect them to do and how exactly they are going to help them when the door is being repeatedly slammed in their face as a result of Government cuts and restrictions."

"For Ministers to decry poverty of opportunity while presiding over this current crisis is cheap talk, but to stand by and do nothing as young people are left to sink or swim is a dereliction of duty. Abandoning this generation of young people would cause permanent scars to individuals and their families, society and the economy."

Do you think it's fair that up to 200,000 could miss out on a university place? Leave your comments below.