13th January 2009, 07:31 PM
Sadly haven't been following this thread from the beginning. I have heard bits and pieces from colleagues that applications for some archaeology departments are down this year...sometimes by quite a large figure.
Evidence from other "Arts degrees" is along the same lines. There are just not enough jobs at the other end that will effectively reimburse the large student debts to attract as many people. When the clearing is announced in the summer it'll be interesting to see how many places in archaeology degrees haven't been filled...I'll have my eyes peeled. No undergrads = large drop in dept funding from drop in fees (some depts get 80% funding from undergrad fees). Then there really will be knock on effects in the skilled workers market in a few years time.
In that case the market may not be being flooded by new graduates in a few years time. If there is an across the board slump in applicatants this year, then in 3-4 years companies may be straining to find enough archaeologists for backed-up excavations. Longer term may be more fruitful for those that can hang on or wish to come back...as Monty says, positive thoughts!
Evidence from other "Arts degrees" is along the same lines. There are just not enough jobs at the other end that will effectively reimburse the large student debts to attract as many people. When the clearing is announced in the summer it'll be interesting to see how many places in archaeology degrees haven't been filled...I'll have my eyes peeled. No undergrads = large drop in dept funding from drop in fees (some depts get 80% funding from undergrad fees). Then there really will be knock on effects in the skilled workers market in a few years time.
In that case the market may not be being flooded by new graduates in a few years time. If there is an across the board slump in applicatants this year, then in 3-4 years companies may be straining to find enough archaeologists for backed-up excavations. Longer term may be more fruitful for those that can hang on or wish to come back...as Monty says, positive thoughts!