TERTIARY EDUCATION NEEDS A RADICAL REFORM

In Britain Today there is a debate about the value and credibility of A Level examinations which are usually taken at age 18 and which act as an entry standard for a University first Degree in a British University. There is also controversy about students having to fund their University education with some £28,000 fees for a 3 year course plus living costs and social expenditure.. Universities are continuously asking for more funding.
Employers are raising their standards for recruitment - demanding a 2.1 degree. The poor student who has attained a 2.2 does not get a chance even though there are only a few % marks between a 2.1 and 2.2 degree.
Clearly, there is a need for some more radical thinking about A Levels and the criteria for recruitment policies. Here are some of the improvements which can be made to the present system -

• University entry should be based on a new BCE qualification - British Certificate of Education - to replace the current GCSE examinations.It will be taken at age 16. There should be 8 subjects included in the curriculum including English, Mathematics and a Foreign Language. An overall  % score of 6 x 50% of six major subjects + 2 x 40% of vocational subjects  must be obtained in order to gain entry into the Y1 and Y2 University Degree course which will be studied at school at the old sixth form stage.

• A Level examinations should be eliminated

• Selection for a new styled University Degree should be based on attainment level of results in the BCE plus test results for Emotional Intelligence ( as defined by Henley Business School )  and Psychological Profiling. This combination of factors will give a better level of judgement about a student's potential rather than relying on IQ or Examination results only.

Whilst still at school from aged 16 - 18, the student will study for Year 1 and Year 2 of the chosen degree course. After successful completion of Y1 and Y2 the student will leave school and enter University to complete the degree - 1 more year for a BA Degree for example. Higher Degrees will remain basically the same - 2 more years for a Masters Degree and 3 years for a PhD Degree.
The length of time for professional degrees such as medicine will be reduced by 2 years due to the abolition of A levels.

As a result of these changes -

• The cost of University Education academic fees for students will be reduced by an average of £18,000.
• Living costs of the student will be reduced by 2 years of costs.
• The levels of financial contributions from parents will be drastically reduced.
• This will help young people to save their deposits for a house earlier than previously
• Students can enter the workforce earlier and thereby contribute to taxation revenues and GDP in the United Kingdom.
• University costs will be reduced and hence the demands on state funding.
• Workplace recruitment will be based on a broader range of factors - ensuring that the right person fits the right slot in the Company or Institution.
• There should be no extra costs for the schools.
• The overhead costs of the University should be reduced.

The overall impact on University structures, staffing levels and funding will be dramatic. The Top Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester should gain due to increased student demand for Year 3 Degree studies.Students will gain because there will be more places at these Universities. The minor Universities might also gain if student demand increases but they must be prepared to restructure, offer more vocational and professional courses and perhaps reduce staff numbers - who can be re-employed in schools for Y1 and Y2 Degree studies.

It is no longer justified for students or Universities to claim that the Social life at University is so important. One year post school is enough for them to experience the social life. Once they have started earning, they can enjoy as much social life as they can afford.

So, why cannot we think more radically about the future of Tertiary Education In Britain Today ?
I do not claim to have all the right answers but we must start the debate outside the box and more widely.

The Business World, Recruitment Agencies, Government and Educationalists need a radical approach to Tertiary Education in order to satisfy the ambitions of the many for the benefit of the many and to improve the prosperity of Britain in future decades.

.