Top universities ‘should accept students from vocational courses’

THE COUNTRY’S top universities ought to be taking on students who have opted for vocational subjects at further education, rather than just those who follow a more academic route, the Education Secretary has said.

Damian Hinds said there is a “snobbery” surrounding technical education, and that the likes of Oxford and Cambridge should not shut the door on potential undergraduates who have opted for T-levels rather than Alevels.

In a speech in London, Mr Hinds criticised the attitude that technical courses had been viewed as being “for other people’s children”, with a preference among the middle classes for academic qualifications.

He stressed that a degree is not the only path to a successful career and schools that get pupils on to higher apprenticeships deserve as much praise as those which send youngsters to universities.

Asked if he thought Oxford and Cambridge – among the elite Russell Group of universities – should admit students who have studied T-level subjects such as building services, engineering, childcare and health, Mr Hinds said: “I think it depends on t he courses that they are putting on.

“So, if you are doing modern history or English literature at university then the subjects people would be doing at T-level do not naturally lend themselves to moving on to

those type of undergraduate courses.

But if you are doing a technical content degree – at whatever unis are putting those on – then, yes, T-level students should be under consideration.”