Face-to-face degrees

SIR – I couldn’t agree more that universities should come clean to students if courses are being delivered online (report, December 7).

Students should get the service they are paying for. They are making a big investment of their time, money and future – and they must see a return on that investment.

Universities need to be honest and transparent about the proportion of online content, as well as course outcomes and job prospects. Students expect to go to university and be learning alongside fellow students, in lecture halls, and able to debate and question their professors.

I believe our universities must meet these expectations, and if they plan to use online learning, they should be upfront in advance of admission.

That’s why, as a Government, we have asked the Office for Students to put “boots on the ground” and investigate universities where there are concerns over face-to-face teaching.

Universities are private institutions, and I would encourage dissatisfied students to take their complaints to their university. If they are unhappy with the response, they can then escalate their concerns to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

Our world-class universities hold a great responsibility in turning out graduates who have skills that will take them on to a long and rewarding career. Students deserve high-quality teaching that offers value for money, sets them up for great success, and enables them to climb the ladder of opportunity.

Robert Halfon MP (Con)

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education

London SW1