Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data

Rishi Sunak to Replace 'Mickey Mouse' Degrees with 100,000 Apprenticeships Annually, Affecting 1 in 8 Students

May 29, 2024, 06:31 AM

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has pledged to shut down certain university courses deemed to have poor job prospects and high drop-out rates, often referred to as 'Mickey Mouse' degrees. This initiative aims to redirect funding from these courses to create 100,000 new apprenticeships annually. The plan, which will be part of the Conservative Party's election manifesto, has sparked a range of reactions. Supporters argue that it will provide more practical training and job opportunities for young people, while critics highlight the Conservative Party's past failures to adequately support apprenticeship programs. Education Minister Damien Hinds defended the plan, stating that some courses offer poor value. However, Vivienne Stern from Universities UK countered that focusing solely on earnings as a measure of value is misguided. The proposal has also faced criticism for being an election gimmick, with opponents noting the decline in apprenticeship starts from 500,000 in 2015 to 337,000 in 2023. One in eight university degree places would be affected, and one in three graduates end up in non-graduate jobs.