by Helen Chandler

Last updated at 11:57, Friday, 05 February 2010

It is expected that around 200,000 prospective undergraduates will miss out on university places this summer, thanks to cuts to higher education funding in England.

While some will undoubtedly see this as an opportunity to complain, it is in fact the perfect chance for us to review the university system.

Once upon a time degrees meant something, but as more and more people began getting them, the value of having one began to decrease.

And with the average student debt now rising to around £20,000, graduates will wonder what on earth they are paying out their money for.

Surely this spiralling cost could be stopped if the numbers attending were stripped back to the most intelligent few, creating more jobs for those who do graduate, and more respect for what they have achieved.

It is not necessary for 50 per cent of school-leavers to spend a further three or more years in academic study, nor is it economically viable.

Some would be far better off in vocational studies, where at least they would be qualified for something, rather than unemployed and over qualified for nothing.

Hopefully the proposed cuts will force some down this route. A university education does not need to be available for everyone.

First published at 11:23, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk