Universities criticised for offering ‘half-baked’ unaccredited degree courses

'It’s alarming that young people may not be given the full information about potential courses'

Prospective university students are being 'deceived by unaccredited degree courses', it has been suggested (PA)

Universities have been criticised for offering “half-baked” degree courses which are not professionally accredited and make it harder for students to eventually get a job.

Students are paying thousands of pounds in tuition fees for identically titled degree courses to those endorsed by professional bodies – but which do not make clear that they are unaccredited.

These students may have to take costly additional qualifications before they can get jobs as a result of the unclear marketing, Lee Waters, a member of the Welsh assembly, has warned.

In a letter to education secretary Damian Hinds, Mr Waters wrote: “As A-level results day approaches, I’m worried that some students have signed up for university courses that are not what they seem.

“A degree that is not accredited may look the same to a 17-year-old and their parents, and they certainly cost the same, but a degree that isn't professionally recognised may require students to take additional qualifications before they can get jobs.”

A BSc building surveying degree at the University of Reading, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building, but a degree of the same name at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David’s is unaccredited.

The letter, which was also sent to Kirsty Williams, the Welsh education secretary, said: “This is deception by omission. The accredited course will give students a head start when it comes to getting a job in their chosen industry.

“Universities running degree courses that are not recognised by professional bodies think they are covering themselves by saying their course will ‘help a student prepare for a career’ in their field.

“But this is deeply misleading. Certainly, courses can help you ‘prepare’ for a career, but there are clear advantages to accredited courses.”

“It’s alarming that young people may not be given the full information about potential courses, whether this be from teaching staff, career advisors or universities themselves,” he added.

A Universities UK (UUK) spokesperson said: “Universities are continuing to improve the information to students about courses to ensure that their experience matches their expectations.

“There is also a range of official data and information out there for prospective students, including information about whether a course is accredited or not.”

Professor Julie Lydon, chair of Universities Wales, said: “Professional accreditation is not a measure of degree quality or a requirement for awarding a degree.

“Welsh universities’ degree courses are subject to robust, internationally-recognised, quality arrangements and our universities take seriously their obligations under consumer law and provide clear, accurate information to prospective students.

“This includes information on the widely-used official UK website for comparing higher education, Unistats, where course information prominently and unambiguously states whether the course is accredited by a professional body or not.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The accreditation status of a course should always be clear and institutions are not permitted to claim that courses are accredited when they are not.

“We have asked HEFCW to consider these issues and they have advised that the information provided by HE institutions is generally appropriate and in line with their legal requirements.

“Prospective students already have access to a range of information, including the accreditation status of courses, via UCAS, Unistats, university websites as well as prospectuses and promotional material, including information on student satisfaction and employability related to their intended course.

“We also welcome the progress our institutions are making towards Small Business Charter accreditation and will continue to encourage industry accreditation.

“The education secretary will fully respond to Lee Waters’ letter in due course.”