Students could be denied places on the university course of their choice under radical proposals to cap the numbers who can study subjects deemed less

Students could be prevented from taking university courses deemed ‘low value’ by the Government

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2021-10-24 02:00:06

Students could be denied places on the university course of their choice under radical proposals to cap the numbers who can study subjects deemed less valuable by the Government, i can reveal.

Fewer places could make entry to certain subjects like the arts more competitive, while some institutions could axe courses altogether.

The Department for Education (DfE) has worked up plans for controls on student numbers and minimum university entry requirements to curb costs and channel students towards courses ministers favour.

The proposals are in two long-awaited consultations on post-18 education, which were expected to be published last month but have been delayed.

The source said the policy could take various forms, from an overall limit on the number of students each university can recruit, to a more radical option where ministers would cap certain subjects or courses deemed “not good value” for graduates.

“You could go into number controls that have really complex metrics looking at quality and value and subject choice, which could really reshape the sector,” they said.