22nd June 2010, 09:41 AM
"Why on earth did we get rid of the Polytechnics? (Changing the names and aspirations to those of universities)"
We didn't get rid of polytechnics as such, we got rid of the artificial divide creating a two teir system. Of the 20 top universities, 12 are now post -1994 universities. Only one of the whole group of 100+ has kept the 'polytechnic' in their name. They didn't only offer technical vocational courses, but research based degrees as well. I would agree that we need far fewer students, fewer courses and fewer departments, though I would hate to see parental income being used to ration education. Some universities in the states have an income blind admission policy, so they decide if you're good enough, and then they work out how much to charge you. We also need more distance learning and modular degrees, though the Open Univeristy and places like Leicester does this pretty well.
We didn't get rid of polytechnics as such, we got rid of the artificial divide creating a two teir system. Of the 20 top universities, 12 are now post -1994 universities. Only one of the whole group of 100+ has kept the 'polytechnic' in their name. They didn't only offer technical vocational courses, but research based degrees as well. I would agree that we need far fewer students, fewer courses and fewer departments, though I would hate to see parental income being used to ration education. Some universities in the states have an income blind admission policy, so they decide if you're good enough, and then they work out how much to charge you. We also need more distance learning and modular degrees, though the Open Univeristy and places like Leicester does this pretty well.