Students could save £25,000 by taking new two-year degrees

‘This is a game-changer’

STUDENTS could save up to £25,000 under plans for accelerated two-year university degrees.

Graduates currently leave higher education with debts of about £50,000.

But the government proposal would reduce course fees by £5,500 and living costs by another £12,500. There would also be savings on third-year maintenance loans.

Universities will have to offer 45 weeks of lectures each year on the fast-track courses, cutting into the long holidays students normally enjoy. The ‘more intense, condensed teaching’ will also cost £11,125, more than the £9,250 fees allowed at present – but will enable graduates to start earning a year sooner, in addition to reduced outgoings during the course.

Details emerged days after the National Audit Office warned the current tuition fees system bordered on a financial mis-selling scandal as it lets students down so badly. Too many pay for low-quality degrees before taking up jobs with wage packets less than non-graduates while saddled with massive debts.

Universities minister Jo Johnson said he was concerned that students were not getting a fair deal and the system needed to be overhauled.

‘I want to ensure that for those students who want a quicker route into work, that it’s possible across all parts of the country, in all subject areas,’ he told The Sunday Times.

‘This will be of particular benefit to mature students who want to get back into work by doing a different course, who might look with great interest at a shorter programme.

‘There will also be a group of younger people, who want a quicker pace of learning and a faster route into employment, who may think twice about going through a three-year programme.

‘I think employers will take note of that kind of student. It’s a game-changer.’

Fast- track degrees are offered by some universities, mostly in law, journalism and accountancy. But just 2,500 of the 1.5 million students who enrol each year take advantage of them.

Mr Johnson said the ‘ competitiveness of the system’ meant universities would have to offer the shorter courses or risk losing out to rivals when they were introduced across the board.

A consultation on the scheme, which is due to begin in 2019, was unveiled yesterday.

Karl McCormack, a lecturer at Staffordshire University, said of the shorter courses: ‘They offer so much more to students – extra focus and constant learning.’

Professor Les Ebdon, of Fair Access to Higher Education, added that shorter degrees would benefit disadvantaged and mature students.