Restrictions under the new system of higher education will be more “draconian” than ever before, says a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University.
“The new system will not only narrow subject choices, it will change the nature of universities as institutions and the quality of student experience,” said John Brissenden, who is also a representative of the University and College Union (UCU).
Bournemouth University will charge students fees of up to £9000 a year from September 2012 in order to compensate for the 80 per cent cut in funding from central government.
“You will see a rapid change toward a two-tier system of elite universities,” said Mr Brissenden.
Though education secretary Michael Gove said these cuts will allow saving of up to £1bn between now and 2014, Mr Bristendom says that “at a time of unprecedented youth unemployment and economic instability, cuts in institutions’ teaching budget will cost the government more money”.
The Higher Education Funding for England (HEFCE) will impose “strict controls” over student admissions and course portfolios, he said.
“Universities will have to tailor their offering according to HEFCE. The senior management team at Bournemouth University is already talking about a ‘dynamic product portfolio’. There will be a core of subject areas and anything outside of that will be a dynamic and changeable area that will follow market demands,” he said.
“The new system is bad news for students individually and for the country as a whole,” he added.
But Elsbeth Caswell, who is also a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, shares a different view. Listen to her below:
[audio:http://www.thebreaker.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/AUDIO-FINAL1.mp3|titles=AUDIO FINAL1]
