The financial woes plaguing UK universities have been a pressing concern for several years now. However, there's one glaring issue that has largely gone unaddressed: the unequal cost distribution between different degrees. Despite government rhetoric suggesting a market-based system would emerge with varying tuition fees across institutions and courses, this hasn't materialized.
In reality, the majority of universities have adopted a uniform pricing structure for all undergraduate programs, regardless of their prestige or implications for employability. This means that students pursuing arts, humanities, or social sciences degrees – often considered less valuable by policymakers – are subsidizing those studying more lucrative fields like science, engineering, and medicine.
The disparity is striking: degrees in the arts and humanities are significantly cheaper to deliver than those in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This is particularly galling given that students pursuing non-STEM fields often face poorer employability outcomes, which they're forced to subsidize through higher tuition fees.
The situation has been exacerbated by successive governments' push for "STEMification" – a term coined to describe the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. While some politicians have expressed desire to axe certain degree programs that supposedly hinder this goal, it's essential to recognize that these subjects are often more affordable to deliver than their STEM counterparts.
University finances are precarious at best, with both research and undergraduate teaching losing money in the process. The sole reason universities have managed to balance their books is by relying on postgraduate taught degrees targeting overseas students who pay high tuition fees.
It's particularly ironic that this government seeks to tax the income from these very same overseas students – those who, as a result of successive governments' policies, subsidize domestic students through higher tuition fees. The marketization of higher education has proven to be an ideological failure, with universities struggling to adapt to the changing landscape.
The elephant in the senior common room is no longer just the financial struggles faced by universities; it's also the implicit bias towards STEM subjects that comes with it. As policymakers continue to push for this "STEMification," they'd do well to acknowledge the value of arts and humanities degrees – not by reducing funding for them, but by recognizing their inherent worth.
In reality, the majority of universities have adopted a uniform pricing structure for all undergraduate programs, regardless of their prestige or implications for employability. This means that students pursuing arts, humanities, or social sciences degrees – often considered less valuable by policymakers – are subsidizing those studying more lucrative fields like science, engineering, and medicine.
The disparity is striking: degrees in the arts and humanities are significantly cheaper to deliver than those in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This is particularly galling given that students pursuing non-STEM fields often face poorer employability outcomes, which they're forced to subsidize through higher tuition fees.
The situation has been exacerbated by successive governments' push for "STEMification" – a term coined to describe the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. While some politicians have expressed desire to axe certain degree programs that supposedly hinder this goal, it's essential to recognize that these subjects are often more affordable to deliver than their STEM counterparts.
University finances are precarious at best, with both research and undergraduate teaching losing money in the process. The sole reason universities have managed to balance their books is by relying on postgraduate taught degrees targeting overseas students who pay high tuition fees.
It's particularly ironic that this government seeks to tax the income from these very same overseas students – those who, as a result of successive governments' policies, subsidize domestic students through higher tuition fees. The marketization of higher education has proven to be an ideological failure, with universities struggling to adapt to the changing landscape.
The elephant in the senior common room is no longer just the financial struggles faced by universities; it's also the implicit bias towards STEM subjects that comes with it. As policymakers continue to push for this "STEMification," they'd do well to acknowledge the value of arts and humanities degrees – not by reducing funding for them, but by recognizing their inherent worth.
University fees are a mess, man. If you're studying arts or humanities, you're basically subsidizing those who study STEM subjects. It's like, why should people pay more to learn about the meaning of life when they could be learning how to code? 
The government's all about "STEMification" but what about the value of arts and humanities degrees? They deserve some love too... or at least not being seen as a total afterthought. 
I know there's a lot of pressure to get good jobs after uni but surely thats not the only thing that matters 
. And what about the students who want to pursue non-STEM fields because they're passionate about it? Shouldn't their interests be valued too? 
Its time for policymakers to rethink this "STEMification" stuff and give arts degrees some love 
.
. It's just not fair that arts and humanities students are basically subsidizing STEM ones with higher fees... it's like, we're already struggling to pay those already! 
It's not just about what gets degrees and jobs, but also about what makes us human and interesting. We need to recognize that all degrees have worth, not just the ones that make banks happy 
. What do you guys think - am I just being a drama queen or is this an issue we should be talking about? 
! They need to sort out this unequal cost thing ASAP. Arts & humanities students are basically subsidizing STEM geniuses 
. Like, how can they just axe certain degree programs because they're not "practical" enough? It's all about the benjamins 
I'm so fed up with this 
situation in UK universities 
They're all like "STEM is the way forward" 
but what about the arts and humanities? 
Those people are suffering 
Meanwhile, uni finances are like a ticking time bomb 
universities can't just axe degree programs left and right 
They need to be more thoughtful 
And the fact that overseas students are footing the bill for domestic students is just not cool 
vs reality 
instead of just pushing their STEM agenda 
. We need a more balanced approach 
. Arts and humanities degrees are valuable too, you know 
, but let's not forget that they're already taking a huge hit from research funding and whatnot. And then we have to tax their income too? It's just so...meh.
. And let's not forget, students pursuing non-STEM fields often have poorer employability outcomes 
which they're forced to pay for through higher tuition fees 
! Universities are struggling to stay afloat because of unequal cost distribution, yet no one's talking about how ridiculous it is that STEM students get subsidized by arts majors who are basically footing the bill for 'em 
. And don't even get me started on this 'STEMification' nonsense - it's like policymakers think people only care about science and tech, not that there's value in exploring human history, philosophy, or literature (just ask your grandma about the importance of learning cursive 
). Seriously though, can we just have a more balanced approach to higher education? It's time to recognize that all degrees have their worth, not just the ones that pay off with a six-figure salary 
. They're basically saying that arts and humanities degrees aren't worth anything. But what about all the amazing stuff they produce - literature, music, film? Don't those have value too?! 
. If they really want to fix the financial woes at universities, they need to rethink their whole approach 
.
it's so unfair!! 
the thing is tho it shouldnt b like that if we r all uni educated ppl we should be supporting each other not just the STEM folks 
let's give arts degrees some love 
That's just unfair and perpetuates a cycle of inequality 
The only reason universities can scrape by is 'cause of overseas students payin' top dollar, and then the gov's tax them even more? Come on, mate! It's just a big ol' mess, innit? 
. And now the government wants to tax their income? Not cool 
gotta acknowledge the elephant in the room – those STEM degrees are way more expensive to deliver 
and yet they get all the funding 
maybe policymakers just don't get how valuable these subjects really are?