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Some big changes are on the way for the UK’s university system – that is, as long as Universities Minister David Willetts has his way. In a recent report Willetts warned that the system needs significant reforms if it is to maintain its quality level. Highest on the list: a “cultural change”, shifting focus from research to teaching and giving students more interaction with teachers.
Willetts’s concerns about the imbalance between research and teaching come at a time when official figures show that university educators devote, on average, about 70% of their time to teaching and 30% to research. But Willetts says these numbers hide troubling trends at older schools. At these universities the split is closer to 60-40 – with more time spent on research than on education. He also claims that undergraduates across the UK “[are] being set less work and [receive] notably less tutor feedback” than students did 50 years ago. While the Minister still sees a place for both research and teaching at universities, he says institutions can’t let a desire for “funding and prestige” lead them to “lopsided” priorities.
Also needed, according to the Universities Minister, is a plan for dealing with a projected surge of new students in the next few decades. Higher birth rates and improving UK educational standards will mean more qualified students will be seeking places in universities – an extra 92,000 by 2033, Willetts expects. The Minister says early warning signs are already being seen, with “thousands of students” unable to register for placement.
Although Willetts’s report doesn’t address international students specifically, it’s not hard to imagine the impact these trends could have. A shift from research to teaching could make the UK’s older and most venerable institutions more attractive, but if it’s not accompanied by expansion in available places then there will be far more competition for the limited spaces.
If you plan to study in the UK, or plan to send your child there, NTK can help you get past these hurdles. Our IB courses can help you succeed in a prestigious international curriculum, while our IGCSE and GCE courses are designed to put you in the best position for the UK entrance exams. And our Academic Planning specialists are ready to help you chart a course for your future. Contact us today to get your education on the right path!
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