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slapntickle
Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 270
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:13 am Post subject: UK universities slip down international rankings |
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If you work at a British university, I'm sure the following report will come as no surprise:
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-29429466 |
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Dedicated
Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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The UK is second only to the US in terms of the number of top-rated universities. However, there is increased competition facing UK universities from higher education institutions in emerging economies across the world, particularly Asia-Pacific institutions.
There are 24 Asian universities in the top 200 this year compared to 20 last year.
The UK has to match competitors. Without increased investment and less regulation, the UK's best universities might lose their place as world leaders. |
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slapntickle
Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 270
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Dedicated wrote: |
The UK has to match competitors. Without increased investment and less regulation, the UK's best universities might lose their place as world leaders. |
"Might lose their place?" Don't you mean "will"? The best British universities have been around for centuries and therefore have had a traditional advantage over the so-called emerging economies. Nevertheless, within a few decades these economies have started to overtake the UK and the trend suggests nothing will change. The fact is that a British education doesn't cut the mustard in today's world like it used to. Students vote with their feet, and many are deciding that a tertiary education in another part of the world is cheaper and a damned sight better. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 10:35 am Post subject: |
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Might be wrong here, but many emerging economies don't have the same reputation of reliability and trustworthiness as a UK university enjoys. Rightly or wrongly, I think the notion that you can't just bribe your tutors or uni admin staff to get high marks and qualify will continue to draw to the UK overseas students who are interested in getting a solid education with a degree that matters. At least, that is the view I have influenced by the workings of the tertiary sectors I've worked in elsewhere.
No pace for complacency, but I don't think UK unis are in too much danger. |
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Dedicated
Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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I totally agree with Sasha.
slapntickle wrote:
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students vote with their feet, and many are deciding that a tertiary education in another part of the world is cheaper and a damned sight better |
So where are all the students going exactly? Where is " a damned sight better"?
According to the 2012-2013 ukcisa statistics, there are almost half a million overseas students studying in the UK., despite the stricter visa regulations. 71% of full time postgraduates and 49% of full time research degrees are being done by overseas students in the UK. They presumably realize the value of a UK degree having invested about 3.9 billion pounds in fees and 6.3 billion in living costs. |
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slapntickle
Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 270
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Dedicated
Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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The Independent article attributes the 25% slump in EU undergraduate students to the fact that students from EU countries are on an equal footing with UK students and have to pay fees with no entitlement to loans. University courses in most of the EU are cheaper than in the UK, but nowhere does it say their quality is better - just cheaper.
There has been a dramatic fall in enrolments from India and Pakistan as a result of 700 bogus colleges being closed and visa regulations tightened up.
' Many international students feel unwelcome in the UK as a result of the Government's hostile and overzealous immigration policies".
However, this slump has been offset by a huge rise from China. Overall, the number of international students enrolling on undergraduate courses is still rising partially offsetting the decline in EU recruitment.
London has just topped a survey measuring attractiveness for innovation and business, which means the ability to attract the best and the brightest from all over the world. London has more universities in the global top 20 than any other city in the world. Quality education is not cheap. |
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slapntickle
Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 270
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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Dedicated wrote: |
Quality education is not cheap. |
True, but is it quality? That's what students are asking themselves. Actually, a lot of my Master's students don't seem too bothered about quality. All they seem concerned about is the fact that they can graduate in just one year - it's two in the US - and get that piece of paper which will help them secure a job and a high salary. If we're really honest about this, many international students that are graduating from our universities have questionable skills upon graduation. What is more their English is atrocious too. It seems to me that all universities and students really care about today is money. Many of these students who are not bright enough or rich enough to attend a university ranked in the top 10 are merely purchasing a degree . . . and British universities are quite happy to 'sell' shoddy products to these 'consumers'. If this isn't bogus, I don't know what is. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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The US is a cheaper place to live in. |
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