ON COURSE FOR 2-YEAR DEGREES
MP calls for uni revolution
BORIS Johnson expressed “grave concerns” over jailed British mum Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe – as he tried to secure her release in Iran following his gaffe that played into the hands of her captors. The Foreign Secretary met his Iranian opposite number in Tehran, Mohammad Javad PLANS to make two-year degrees for all subjects, leaving students up to £25,000 better off, are being drafted.
Cutting the length of a typical degree from three years to two will lead to lower costs, and mean graduates can start work sooner.
Universities Minister Jo Johnson said: “For too long we have been stuck in a pattern of traditional three Zarif, to plea for Nazanin’s freedom on humanitarian grounds. Sources said they had a “frank” two-hour exchange.
She is serving five years for plotting to overthrow the Tehran government, after being arrested in 2016 on a visit with her baby daughter Gabriella.
She denies the charges but could have her sentence increased by five years in court today, after Johnson falsely told MPs she had been in Iran to years of study regardless of subject. We need the sector to seize the opportunity these courses represent.”
He is launching a consultation today to see how this could best work.
Only 2,500 of 1.5 million students who enrol each year are on fast-track degrees, mostly in law, accountancy and journalism. They pay 20 per cent more a year but Mr Johnson said it train journalists. Her husband, Richard, said he was on tenterhooks”over the visit. “I’m certainly hopeful but I’m trying not to be expectant,” he added.
It is understood Mr Ratcliffe has not accompanied Mr Johnson after being advised it may not help.
Mr Johnson will attempt to visit his wife and meet the head of the Iranian judiciary. He said: “I will stress my grave concerns.” works out £5,500 cheaper in tuition. Plus students would not need a maintenance loan for their third year.
They also work sooner, earning on average £19,000 in their first year.
Lecturer Karl McCormack of Staffordshire University said: “They offer so much more to students – extra focus and constant learning.”