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While there is a need to ensure that students are not cheated or misled, the Competition and Markets Authority and the reaction to its statements are removing the ability of lecturers to alter degree content to reflect changes in subject areas (¡°CMA tells universities to improve treatment of students¡±, 22 July). The result is that degree content has to be specified clearly a year before a student joins and has to be in place for the three or four years of the degree. As the specification includes final-year content, this is five years to delivery. There needs to be a balance between providing accurate information for choices to be made and providing the best, most relevant content to students at the point of delivery. Education is not a pre-packaged product, bought off the shelf, despite this government¡¯s wishes and the statements of the CMA. Education needs to be real, relevant and contemporary to benefit students. Allowing change is essential for motivating students and lecturers. Bring it back.

Geoff Thwaites
Via timeshighereducation.com

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