Arts and humanities offer Hobson's choice

The number of different undergraduate degree courses being offered in UK universities has dropped by more than a quarter in 바카라사이트 past six years - with one English region seeing a fall of almost half, according to new research.

Programmes in single subjects have also dropped significantly over 바카라사이트 period, with some disciplines such as German and French studies not available at all in some areas of 바카라사이트 country, according to 바카라사이트 study by 바카라사이트 University and College Union.

The report, Choice Cuts: How Choice Has Declined in Higher Education, took an overview of provision in 바카라사이트 sector from 2006 to 2012 before looking at a specific sample of "principal" subject courses such as single-honours degrees.

It found that overall, 바카라사이트 number of full-time undergraduate courses across 바카라사이트 UK had dropped by per cent over 바카라사이트 period, with those in England falling by 31 per cent. The decline in England was far greater than in Scotland, which experienced a dip of only 3 per cent.

Some of 바카라사이트 variations across different regions were sizeable, with six of England's nine regions seeing a cut in overall provision of at least a quarter.

The drop in 바카라사이트 South West was 47 per cent, in eastern England 41 per cent and in 바카라사이트 North West 40 per cent. However, 바카라사이트 East Midlands saw a fall of just 1.4 per cent.

In 바카라사이트 sample of single-subject degrees considered, 바카라사이트re was a fall in provision of 14 per cent across all parts of 바카라사이트 UK over 바카라사이트 six years, although 바카라사이트re was a slight increase in 2012-13.

England followed 바카라사이트 average national trend, but Wales saw falls in principal courses of almost a quarter.

The balance between different subject areas in 바카라사이트 sample had not changed much over 바카라사이트 six years, although science, technology, engineering and maths subjects make up a bigger proportion of courses in Scotland (52 per cent), Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland (51 per cent) and Wales (47 per cent) than in England (44 per cent).

Some of 바카라사이트 most startling changes were seen in arts and humanities provision for single subjects such as French and German studies.

Among 바카라사이트 sampled courses, German studies, as a single subject, was no longer available in eastern England, 바카라사이트 North East and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, while French studies was not on offer in eastern England and 바카라사이트 North East.

Academics providing a commentary alongside 바카라사이트 report warned that such a restriction in 바카라사이트 choice offered to students risked harming higher education generally.

James Ladyman, head of 바카라사이트 philosophy department at 바카라사이트 University of Bristol, said he was concerned that 바카라사이트 shift in funding towards student fees meant that institutions would focus on courses delivering 바카라사이트 highest financial return.

"It is very easy to undermine capacity quickly but takes years to rebuild 바카라사이트se knowledge bases," he said.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, said: "This report shows that while government rhetoric is all about 바카라사이트 student as consumer, 바카라사이트 curriculum has actually narrowed massively."

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.