Two year degrees

Two year degrees were to be trialled in 2006 at  five HEFCE funded universities. The universities concerned were Staffordshire, Derby, Leeds Metropolitan, Northampton and the Medway Partnership.

To begin with, the range of subjects offered by these universities was designedly small: Staffordshire, for example, with two- year degrees in five subjects (English, English and Philosophy, Geography, Law and Product Design) provides students seeking the two year option with most choice. It is expected, however, that the list of subjects will grow in 2007-8.

Two-year degrees pilot schemes were designed to offer greater flexibility and to break away from the “traditional” model which could often hinder students. Higher education, it is felt, must become less “supplier driven”, and it is time for greater account to be taken of the needs of different customers. Thus, as well as “compressed” two year honours degrees, provision for shorter summer holidays, an American-style credit system (to allow for breaks from study) and the facility to take a degree from one’s workplace are also included in the proposals.

Two-year degree programes can claim some advantages over the  “normal” three according to the University of Northampton’s website.

This suggests that students should study a two-year degree if they wish to:

• accelerate their careers, getting “one step ahead of the competition”
• reduce their debt, by paying only two years tuition fees
• differentiate themselves from other graduates, thus making a favourable impression on employers
• make up a year (such as a “gap” year taken before starting a degree)
• save a year, thus enabling them to take a year out after graduating “following a dream”

On the face of it, these seem obvious enough. The National Union of Students, however, is unconvinced by the claim that a two year degree will necessarily result in a reduction of a student’s debt, since it will inevitably leave less time available for paid part-time and vacation work.

Two Year Prgrammes
Buckingham University  has good experience in running two-year degrees The academic year at Buckingham for the two year programmes allows classes to continue throughout a twelve-moth academic year, which is split into four terms of ten weeks, each punctuated by short (typically two to three weeks: a little longer at Christmas) vacations. Thus, what would normally be the long summer vacation elsewhere is fully utilised at Buckingham: the lectures and tutorials which students attend during this.

So, do you think that a two-year programme suit your needs better? If so X-Cel would love to hear your views on this: E-mail us at info@courses-careers.com

With thanks to:
Irving Stevens
Senior Lecturer in Law
University of Buckingham

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