Rishi Sunak wants to scrap your ‘low-value’ university degree

Creative art graduates – including those pursuing subjects such as fine art, drama, music, and design – face above-average unemployment rates, have a low earning potential, and are the least likely to pay back their student loans in full.

This means each art graduate potentially costs taxpayers 30 percent more than a student undergoing an engineering degree – which is bad news for the government.

This isn’t the first time Rishi Sunak has expressed his disdain for some of the most enjoyable courses taught at universities. In early 2022, Sunak announced plans to disallow students pursuing ‘Mickey Mouse degrees’ from acquiring student loans.

‘University is great and it makes a fantastic option for young people, but it’s not the only option. What we do know is that there are university degrees that are letting young people down,’ he said.

While the statistics speak for themselves, it’s unfair that a government could exert its power to prevent individuals from pursuing studies they feel most passionate about.

Not to mention, not everyone was born to be an accountant, architect, or doctor.

Hands up who took a ‘low value degree’ & wouldn’t be where you are without it. Hands up who thinks EVERY young person should have the opportunity to do the same. Hands up who thinks higher education shouldn’t be reduced to ‘produces high earners’. https://t.co/YordjtB6N4

— Arts Emergency (@ArtsEmergency) July 17, 2023

Labour Party representatives have pointed out that apprenticeships have fallen in popularity under Conservative leadership.

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, called the announcement ‘laughable’, for this reason.

‘Why on earth should parents and young people believe they’ll create training opportunities now, after 14 years of failing to deliver opportunities for young people and the skills needed to grow our economy?’ she said.

Only time will tell if this unfortunate change will come into effect. Like many, we’ll be eagerly awaiting the election results coming this summer.