Students 'short-changed' by universities – Expert

The Telegraph 05 October 2013

Students in Britain are receiving a “less demanding” experience than those in other European countries, raising serious questions over university standards, it is claimed. Workload is believed to be around a quarter less than the average recommended by the higher education watchdog, writes Graeme Paton for The Telegraph.

Bahram Bekhradnia, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said the average undergraduate in the UK receives just 14 hours a week in “contact time” and has a total workload of less than 30 hours when private study is factored in. Addressing the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference in London on Tuesday, he warned of a “big discrepancy” between universities, with some providing far less work than others in the same subject.

Vice-chancellors should be “seriously concerned about the question of standards”, he said. “There's ample evidence now that universities don't stretch their students enough."
Full report on The Telegraph site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.