In his writings, the Conservative philosopher Michael Oakeshott emphasized the importance of finding meaning in the profound experiences of humanity. He believed that higher education should provide students with the tools to lead more meaningful lives. However, Rishi Sunak’s proposal to crack down on “low-value degrees” based solely on post-graduation earnings undermines this philosophy. Sunak’s derogatory language towards academics and his focus on job prospects disregards the multitude of benefits that a degree can offer beyond immediate employment.
Furthermore, Sunak’s rhetoric is disingenuous as it primarily aims to reduce the government’s liability for student debt write-offs. The proposed caps on courses and possible closures are part of an effort to limit the burden on the Treasury and the failing fees-based model of higher education. Unfortunately, these plans would disproportionately impact less prestigious institutions in poorer regions, which are attended by a higher proportion of minority ethnic and less well-off students. This approach is regressive and perpetuates existing inequalities.
Moreover, the government’s narrow definition of value places additional pressure on departments specializing in the creative arts, which have already suffered from funding cuts. This crude ranking of academic subjects based on economic return undermines the public good delivered by creative graduates and contradicts the government’s goals of fostering a creative and innovative economy.
It is crucial to recognize that it is the government’s responsibility, not lecturers on campuses, to create a labor market that provides high-quality, well-paid jobs for graduates. While Sunak suggests a focus on apprenticeships as an alternative, previous Conservative administrations have not effectively addressed this issue. In the meantime, Sunak would benefit from reading Oakeshott’s The Idea of a University to gain a deeper understanding of the value and purpose of higher education.
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