Have British universities lost their wider purpose? | Universities

Simon Jenkins claims that college students at college face an “tutorial expertise that has virtually nothing to do with actual life” (As 1000’s extra youngsters scramble for college locations, I’ve to ask – why?, 14 August).I’d invite him to affix my journalism periods on the College of Northampton, the place he would want to complete the day with a radio or TV bundle plus social media content material, in addition to his written piece for the paper and on-line. As we speak’s scholar journalists want to supply much more various content material than when he was an editor.His concept of cramming all that studying into two years is nonsense. Most college students want a yr to learn to handle their lives and research. And, extra importantly, a two-year diploma would imply instructing all yr round, and solely very privileged college students have the luxurious of not working within the holidays (in addition to in termtime) to pay the payments.Universities have modified rather a lot because the days of the individuals who touch upon them in Westminster or Fleet Road. In some methods, they’re of their ivory towers and we lecturers function in the actual world.Adrian WarnerSenior lecturer in multimedia sports activities journalism, College of Northampton A lot of Simon Jenkins’ article struck chords. I went to school once I was 27, didn’t pay something, and it modified my life. I hated secondary faculty within the Sixties and couldn’t wait to depart, which I did at 17 with no A-levels. I used to be bored and simply wished to depart house and be unbiased. So I educated as a nurse within the paid, apprentice-type course that pertained. It was then that I realised my potential, so I went again to varsity.These days, my route by way of additional schooling and college as an grownup can be prohibitively costly for many individuals, whereas I had an undergraduate grant from the native authority, adopted by a analysis scholarship. And I realised that greater schooling shouldn’t be about incomes the next wage, however studying a couple of wider world, even when you don’t find yourself on the vacation spot you supposed.Maybe each citizen ought to have a voucher to make use of for a college alternative at a time they select and the age that fits them – anyplace between leaving faculty and getting into retirement. That may keep away from the teenage scramble and contribute to wider entry to greater schooling for these who search it.Jude AndersonCardiff Simon Jenkins makes pertinent factors concerning the altering nature of British universities. I lectured at considered one of Scotland’s historical universities for twenty-four years till I resigned in 2000 due to falling tutorial requirements.The ultimate straw was being requested to show tutorial teams of 20 college students (once I was an undergraduate within the late Sixties, the tutorial dimension was 4). Fast growth of scholar numbers from 1997 onwards hoovered up the much less ready center class, however did little to draw the gifted working class.The award of first- and higher second-class levels to take care of institutional attractiveness has elevated concurrently scholar talents and instructing high quality have fallen. British universities at the moment are business diploma factories, with no imaginative and prescient or wider goal apart from survival in a market.Dr Nick WilliamsAuchenblae, Aberdeenshire I do agree with Simon Jenkins in regards to the emphasis on college programs on this nation. Once I left faculty in 1960, college was an possibility just for the only a few, even for grammar faculty pupils like me. Nonetheless, I started work as a trainee librarian and studied through day-release and night lessons, all paid for by the native authority, to finish my degree-level qualification. I used to be incomes on the identical time and gaining hands-on expertise.Once I wished to return to work after elevating a household I took an Open College diploma, gaining pals and many expertise in addition to a level to replace my skilled {qualifications} – once more, paid for by part-time work.I now have issues for my eldest grandson, who desires, very sensibly, to take an apprenticeship, as I hear that corporations are reducing again on staff and aren’t typically taking a look at taking up apprentices.Jean AustinCrawley, West Sussex Have an opinion on something you’ve learn within the Guardian right now? Please e-mail us your letter and will probably be thought-about for publication in our letters part.