8th December 2005, 01:12 PM
I don't know what the threshold for repayment is with the new top-up fees, but in the old system it used to be start when you earned more than 10,000 p.a., which is barly more than minimum wage anyway. I guess they'll have to increase that for people that are being charged top-up fees.
I would be surprised if the rises in pay were directly related to student debts of new graduates. If that was the case how much do the recent pay rises actually help if you are in 13-15.000 debts from your studies already? Sounds like this may be just an inflation issue?
Another point which occurs to me is that top-up fees may also lead to a decrease in Master's students, i.e. a decrease in specialists (environmental, finds analysis etc) with a degree. Many people used to take out career development loans to do an MA, but already with high debts will people be willing to increase their debs even further?
Master courses are also the big money making scheme for many departments. A drop in master's students can therefore also lead to less chash for a uni department, which in turn means fewer facilities/ wages/ infrastructure leading to poorer standards.
I know a few people back from my time as an undegraduate who would have liked to go into field archaeology, but had to take up summer jobs during university holidays instead. As a result they didn't get the field experience they woud have needed to be succesful on the job market. I think top-up fees will make it even harded for students to gain the relevant experience in the field to be able to join the circus after they graduate.
I think the reason for a lack of interest or 'apathy' by the new generation of archaeologists in the issues hat are frequently discussed in thi forum has to be sought in the fact that few students come into contact with commercial field archaeology during their time at uni. Some, like me, were lucky to work for units during my summer holidays and be paid, but only because I had previous experience. Many others, however, are perhaps not even aware where to look for excavation experience or can't get a job with a unit in the first place. Therefore, many people will probably be shocked to learn what the commercial world looks like, because they didn't expect what is coming their way. What people see of archaeology in lectur are mainly pritty pictures of prepared sites, plans and artefacts, but rarely do they see diggers with cold hand and feet being chased by mechanical excavators in December on a muddy field in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe universities should work harded to ensure that courses with a practical component contain work placements with units?
Would units have time, the will and resources to do such placements on a large scale is another question...?
Over to you...
I would be surprised if the rises in pay were directly related to student debts of new graduates. If that was the case how much do the recent pay rises actually help if you are in 13-15.000 debts from your studies already? Sounds like this may be just an inflation issue?
Another point which occurs to me is that top-up fees may also lead to a decrease in Master's students, i.e. a decrease in specialists (environmental, finds analysis etc) with a degree. Many people used to take out career development loans to do an MA, but already with high debts will people be willing to increase their debs even further?
Master courses are also the big money making scheme for many departments. A drop in master's students can therefore also lead to less chash for a uni department, which in turn means fewer facilities/ wages/ infrastructure leading to poorer standards.
I know a few people back from my time as an undegraduate who would have liked to go into field archaeology, but had to take up summer jobs during university holidays instead. As a result they didn't get the field experience they woud have needed to be succesful on the job market. I think top-up fees will make it even harded for students to gain the relevant experience in the field to be able to join the circus after they graduate.
I think the reason for a lack of interest or 'apathy' by the new generation of archaeologists in the issues hat are frequently discussed in thi forum has to be sought in the fact that few students come into contact with commercial field archaeology during their time at uni. Some, like me, were lucky to work for units during my summer holidays and be paid, but only because I had previous experience. Many others, however, are perhaps not even aware where to look for excavation experience or can't get a job with a unit in the first place. Therefore, many people will probably be shocked to learn what the commercial world looks like, because they didn't expect what is coming their way. What people see of archaeology in lectur are mainly pritty pictures of prepared sites, plans and artefacts, but rarely do they see diggers with cold hand and feet being chased by mechanical excavators in December on a muddy field in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe universities should work harded to ensure that courses with a practical component contain work placements with units?
Would units have time, the will and resources to do such placements on a large scale is another question...?
Over to you...