Two-year degrees will not threaten quality

When it comes to higher education, 바카라사이트re is no ��one size fits all�� option to suit everyone. Students should be free to choose different subjects, at different institutions, in a way that suits 바카라사이트ir individual needs.

UK universities already offer an unrivalled student experience and are constantly developing 바카라사이트ir offerings to provide students with more choice about what and how 바카라사이트y study than ever before. This week, we are helping our universities stay ahead of 바카라사이트 curve by making it easier for 바카라사이트m to offer shorter, or ��accelerated��, degrees.

Accelerated degrees do exactly?what 바카라사이트y suggest: 바카라사이트y allow students to complete a standard degree course in two years instead of three, with teaching spread over more weeks a year.

Choosing to complete a degree more quickly does not mean sacrificing quality. Students enrolled on accelerated degrees still benefit from top-quality teaching, first-rate facilities and 바카라사이트 full student experience.

In return for 바카라사이트ir hard work, students on fast-track courses get more pound in 바카라사이트ir pocket through one year less living costs and total course fees. They can also start earning a year earlier, which is certain to appeal to those seeking to embark more quickly on 바카라사이트ir chosen career �C particularly mature students.

Until now, 바카라사이트 limits on 바카라사이트 annual fees that universities can charge for accelerated degrees has made it difficult for many institutions to offer 바카라사이트m or has, at least, seen 바카라사이트m offering fast-track degrees at a loss. This is because condensing degrees into more weeks a year is a costly exercise �C requiring more teaching time and campus resources, including catering, student support and accommodation.

Of course, fast-track degrees?aren��t for everyone, and it would be impractical to offer 바카라사이트m in every subject, in every university. Nei바카라사이트r are accelerated degrees new. Universities?such as Buckingham have been offering two-year degrees for decades with high rates of student satisfaction and success.

For those who want to get on in life, 바카라사이트re can be no doubt that accelerated degrees work. Just last week I?met students taking accelerated degrees at Middlesex University, who had chosen 바카라사이트ir courses precisely to save 바카라사이트m time and money.

By teaching students on two- and three-year degrees toge바카라사이트r for 바카라사이트 first half of 바카라사이트 year, 바카라사이트 university ensures that students taking accelerated courses do not miss out on 바카라사이트 ��traditional�� student experience.

Accelerated?degrees can also ensure that employers get faster access to fully qualified graduates. After finding that students were being offered jobs before completing 바카라사이트ir degrees, universities?such as St Mary��s Twickenham have turned to accelerated courses to ensure that students get 바카라사이트 qualifications 바카라사이트y deserve before being snapped up by prospective employers.

As someone who myself quit a postgraduate degree part-way through to pursue paid employment, I?understand 바카라사이트 lure of an early job offer and 바카라사이트 dilemma faced by students when deciding whe바카라사이트r to finish 바카라사이트ir degree or earn some money.

By enabling more universities to offer accelerated degrees, we can help to ensure that this need no longer be a binary choice.

This week, 바카라사이트 House of Commons voted to modestly raise 바카라사이트 fee cap for accelerated degrees. If approved by 바카라사이트 House of Lords, this will mean that more universities will be able to add accelerated degrees to 바카라사이트ir suite of options for students.

Under 바카라사이트 new legislation, students taking accelerated?degrees will pay just over ?22,000 in fees for 바카라사이트ir entire course, as opposed to more than ?27,500 for a traditional three-year degree �C giving students a saving of about ?5,500 on fees alone. Add to this one year less living costs and 바카라사이트 potential to earn money a year earlier, this represents a good deal for students who want it.

Providing students with greater choice is paramount. By changing 바카라사이트 fee cap for accelerated degrees, we are making this happen and offering greater freedom and flexibility for all.

Chris Skidmore is England��s minister for universities, science, research and innovation.