Rishi’s ‘rip-off degrees’ are getting the chop, and so are arts students

Emily Bird

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Rishi Sunak has unveiled a plan to clamp down on so-called “rip-off degrees”, the effects of which could render the UK a deflated, artless nation dependent on AI.

Rishi Sunak took to LinkedIn to announce the plan, suggesting that “One in five graduates would be better-off financially if they had never gone to university”. He claims that his intention is to “protect students and taxpayers against courses that don’t lead to good jobs” just 15 months after graduation.

Boris Johnson sold the idea of simplified politics in his 2016 Brexit campaign, and clearly, that legacy is still present. We’ve entered into a time in politics where issues can only have yes or no answers, where decisions have become binary issues with little nuance or consideration for consequence. We hear migrants bad, Brits good. Arts bad, STEM good. How about lies bad, truth good for a change?

Money, money, money

The main issue with Sunak’s bold statement is his implication that “good” jobs exclusively mean “well-paid” jobs. Typically, “well-paid” jobs are not jobs in the arts.

This announcement comes soon after Sunak’s plan to invest in AI development and STEM subjects in education. The short time frame on which they are basing this progress shows an utter disconnect from reality, especially in the current job market. Such unrealistic fantasies favour Oxbridge and STEM graduates, leaving the rest of us feeling underachieved and undervalued.

“Critical thinking is fundamental in how we deal with both history and the future.”

One of the main skills I learnt from my arts degree was how to think critically; how to listen to counter-arguments, and have an informed debate on social and political issues. The UK is steeped in architectural, linguistic and cultural history, ripe for critical analysis (of course, not all is to be celebrated, but it does undeniably form a large part of modern UK culture).

Critical thinking, while not as profitable, is fundamental in how we deal with both history and the future. Casting this skill into the shadows in place of STEM subjects could have detrimental consequences for future generations.

‘Rip-off degrees’ are not ‘good’ enough

During an interview with the education minister, Robert Halfon, the man responsible for implementing the proposed changes, I found myself unsurprised, yet again, at the lack of a clear definition for these so-called “rip-off” degrees. When challenged on the topic, Mr Halfon simply skirted around the issue, describing “courses that lead to poor quality outcomes”. In other words, those that lead to jobs with poor pay.

“surely well-educated cabinet members are familiar with a broader range of adjectives this one”

We hear buzzwords such as “good skilled roles”, “good outcome” and “good jobs” in response to the changes but the government is shying away from what these mean. Perhaps we’re asking a little too much, but surely well-educated cabinet members are familiar with a broader range of adjectives this one, given that this change will affect students from working-class backgrounds.

If ‘rip-off degrees’ get the axe, who will pay the price?

“It’s amazing what education investment can do.”

Of course, it is students who bear the brunt of the government’s socioeconomic failures in recent years. Tuition fees have been on the rise due to the rising pressures of inflation, yet our European neighbours seem to be able to keep costs low and accessible. It’s amazing what education investment can do.

Implementing a cap on so-called “Micky Mouse” degrees will most certainly spark pushback from lecturers, teachers and students alike. If Rishi wanted to avoid strike action – which we know he detests since his failed war on public worker unions – this was not the way to go. Unless we see an attempt to improve the job market and show some respect to the arts, the UK may become a rather mundane and deflated AI nation.

Rishi Sunak’s promise of “integrity” and “professionalism” may look promising after the low bar set by Johnson, but after a lifetime of economic crisis and undervaluing of “rip-off degrees” and skills, trust is something our generation often struggles to feel.

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Photo by Zalfa Imani on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.