Off the top of my head I can think of Scotland (if you're Scottish, hooray for Scottish MPs voting on English and Welsh tuition fees they then cop out of) and Finland. Furthermore, if you don't have people doing degrees in subjects where a degree is *required* rather than optional due to costs, this costs the country more in a lack of capable scientists, teachers, engineers etc. The opportunity cost of cutting the number of people studying hard degrees is fewer educators for the next generation, loss of technical businesses in Britain, and a loss in international research position. Britain has a small percentage of the world's population but produces a much greater percentage of research.
( Labmonkey last thought about having another coffee on, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 10:37, 2 replies)

Oops, forgot about Scotland, didn't know about Finland
I reckon if we dumped all the bullshit degree courses (tourism, surf science etc..) and ploughed the money into the ones that matter (engineering, sciences, medicine etc..) then we could create a very useful generation of graduates.

Unfortunately, we've become blinded and apparently believe that quantity is more important than quality so it doesn't matter *what* your degree is for, it just matters that you have one. Thus, all the crappy degrees that are almost given away on cereal boxes are sucking the funding out of ones that might do some good. Recent graduates I know personally make me sick, they have little or no interest in the subjects they chose.

I've no problem paying for a degree for someone who makes a positive contribution to the public sector or community, indeed, I believe that every graduate who can should get their fees paid for working in the public sector, a chunk paid off per month or quarter, whatever. If they choose to work in the private sector then they can pay their own fees or persuade their employer to pay them. Either way, it's a win for the taxpayer.

Rant at least clarified I hope.
(ceeej, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 20:48, closed)

Wales doesn't have tuition fees
but you have to be living in Wales and at a Welsh Uni. Check your facts.
(TheFlyingOnion. looking forward to, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 9:48, closed)