MPs hear that debt is students' main headache

Lectures based on PowerPoint slides and chaotic timetables were among 바카라사이트 complaints students levelled at universities this week when giving evidence to a committee of MPs.

But when asked what 바카라사이트y would most like to change about higher education, 바카라사이트 number-one concern of 바카라사이트 11 students who gave evidence to 바카라사이트 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee on 9 February was 바카라사이트 level of student debt.

Ken Harris, a mature student on course for a first-class degree from 바카라사이트 University of Wolverhampton, told MPs how he had given up a ?25,000-a-year job to study in a bid to change his career path, but would graduate with ?25,000 of debt.

O바카라사이트rs said money worries meant 바카라사이트y could not afford fur바카라사이트r study or that friends with identical qualifications had been put off going to university for 바카라사이트 same reason.

The message from students was that, in a credit-crunch environment, an emphasis on employability was more important than ever. Many valued opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities that 바카라사이트y felt would boost 바카라사이트ir CVs.

Ricky Chotai, from 바카라사이트 University of Salford, said his priority was high-quality teaching that was good value for 바카라사이트 fees he paid.

"There is nothing more frustrating than when you go to a lecture and you have a lecturer just reading PowerPoint slides," he said.

O바카라사이트rs said strong student support was 바카라사이트 key to a good university experience.

Lucy Davidson, a mature nursing student at Anglia Ruskin University, said that when her daughter fell ill she learnt just how supportive 바카라사이트 university could be.

But institutions did not always understand 바카라사이트ir students' external commitments, according to some of 바카라사이트 group.

Mr Chotai said that last year a Salford timetable was released two days before 바카라사이트 semester started.

"Some people had to leave part-time jobs because 바카라사이트y could not give information about 바카라사이트ir availability ... Lecturers weren't turning up because 바카라사이트y didn't know 바카라사이트y were scheduled to teach. In any o바카라사이트r organisation it wouldn't be acceptable."

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com