Nick BarlowThe PM calling a degree a "rip off" because it doesn't lead to a high-paying job - and this framing being uncritically adopted by the press - is the UK showing it's a country that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66216005
Jonathan@nickbwalking having worked in the university sector for many years, one thing is definitely true, institutions are very good at proposing new modules and programmes and marketing them but very poor at turning them off if they don’t recruit or students don’t progress. These are very expensive to keep on the books and often have poor outcomes. Part of the problem is removing any programme is seen as contentious by staff and students. You can’t run a business like that.
rob@Yell0wbag @nickbwalking you've hit on a big issue there. Are universities businesses? (They're being run like businesses nowadays, but, IMO, where they're being run badly, that is one of the reasons.
@robparsons @nickbwalking I think they are hybrids between businesses and state-run institutions but unintentionally. Past governments have edged towards a business model but haven't let go of state controls over funding and numbers. Students are also split over this. They don't like thinking that unis are businesses but are quick to quote consumer legislation & seek legal advice to get compensation if they think they're not getting value for money.
@robparsons @nickbwalking of course the other issue is overseas students are full fee paying so are treated as business income. Universities also run their own small businesses and / or engage in offering commercial services such as consulting. The majority of income is student led but some science / engineering institutions spin out companies and there is pressure to increase income streams.
@Yell0wbag @nickbwalking overseas students - big issue, but illustrative of the fact that universities are not businesses. If they were, they'd take in the overseas students and dump the rest. Businesses don't cross subsidise unless they intend to profit in the future from the part that is currently being subsidised.
@robparsons @nickbwalking that's exactly the level of discussion I sat through many times - increasing overseas at the expense of home.