In her latest blog, our Principal, Andrea Freeman sheds light on how self-funded degrees might focus higher education for the better.
“The telegraph recently reported that there may be a change in the way degrees are being funded, courses with low success of graduate employment and high dropout rates face having their funding pulled. Now, I am not going to discuss the intricacies of the policy, but I would like to shed some light on the self-funded side of higher education.
As the Principal of a self-funded higher education establishment, I know all too well the challenges that students of today face when deciding what to do once they leave school. Whilst Career guidance has improved exponentially over the years, it is so difficult to truly understand the impact of committing to a 3-year degree at the tender age of 18, not to mention having a debt of at least £30,000 before you even begin earning.
Whilst university is still very much the typical journey for many students in the UK, having other options is never a bad thing and as an outstanding alternative to university, we pride ourselves on bridging that gap. Year on year we have students who have embarked upon the road of university, only to discover that the high fees, empty timetables and now with online lectures becoming a permanent feature is just not worth the commitment. Not to mention the graduate unemployment at the end.
It makes sense to think that by narrowing the offering from universities, will hopefully lead to a system where students have a far more focused approach to their future education. The world of work has changed beyond recognition since I took my seat as Principal of Oxford Media & Business School in 2007 and we are now preparing our students for jobs that weren’t in existence just a few years ago. The rise of social media, digital marketing and virtual business presentations have offered more opportunity for us to diversify our course and what we are offering our students to fully equip them for a successful career in any sector. Having the ability to adapt our course and be agile in our approach is a big factor to why our graduates are without fail in employment within months of graduating.
So, whilst self-funded courses may sound a little scary, it does lend itself to a higher quality of education, a more focused course within an establishment that is able to be nurturing and targeted with its approach. Therefore, this new system might create a space where students who know university is not for them, are able to access a more vocational route into the world of work! Which we are more than happy to celebrate here at Oxford Media & Business School.
Do you know of someone who is struggling to make university work for them? Contact us today to find out more about studying The Professional Business Diploma and see what doors it might open for you (just a hint…none close!).”
Oxford Media & Business School offers a 12-month Professional Business Diploma for ambitious students who want to start their career within 3 terms rather than 3 years. For students who are looking for a practical and positive Gap Year in Oxford and for university graduates who want to add these skills to their academic qualification.