No-win situation universities find themselves in is a predictable consequence of the marketisation of degrees

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A student is suing Anglia Ruskin University for ‘Mickey Mouse’ degree that hasn’t helped her career (Getty)

So, another ex-student is suing a university because their degree has not led to the well-paid job that they expected.

This illustrates the absurd no-win situation that universities now find themselves in, which is causing utter despair among lecturers who are trying to maintain academic standards in a regime which is undermining them.

If universities award more first-class and 2:1 degrees, they are condemned for “grade inflation” and devaluing the worth of degrees.

If universities do not award more first and 2:1s, they are condemned for not providing students with a good education and “value for money”, and are then vulnerable to legal action.

This whole situation is a lamentable, yet predictable consequence of the “marketisation” of universities and the transformation of students into fee-paying customers.

Too many students now expect a first or a 2:1 in exchange for paying £9,000 – even when they have failed to attend classes or done any of the reading recommended by their lecturers. Instead, students expect to be spoon-fed and taught to the test, without having to think for themselves or ever pick up a book.

Pete Dorey
Bath

We will miss Ken Dodd

It was sad to hear of the death of the comedy genius and legend that was Ken Dodd. Unlike modern comedians, he could hold an audience enthralled for hours. He was the king of innuendo, but didn’t once need to use swear words to get a laugh.

John Hudson
Derby

You made the wrong argument, Vince Cable

Vince Cable is, of course, right. Nostalgic petty nationalism was one of the themes against Europe. Sadly, he chose to make his case via a topic which will not enamour him.

He would have done better to dwell on the Government’s own economic reports, which only confirm what most economists worldwide have been saying for the past nine months. Brexit will damage Britain and Europe or, he could have emphasised that leaving the EU will lose free trade agreements with more than 60 countries.

The country is now being run by a group of zealots who intend to push their own agenda regardless of the consequences. They gained power by means of a referendum campaign riddled with false information and downright lies.

M Wydall
Stratford

Let’s not be at the mercy of the US

If, after we leave the EU, we have to deal with the US, I hope we have the backbone to maintain our food standards.

A spokesman for the Department of International Trade is adamant that we will maintain the standards that have been honed over decades. The trouble is when we are forced to trade with countries like the US whose standards are lower than ours.

Our relationship with the EU, albeit begrudgingly, raised our standards in the work place, food hygiene, transportation, in fact throughout our whole life cycle.

Keith Poole
Basingstoke

The Salisbury attack has me thinking about Britain’s health

As we look for the source of the nerve agent in Salisbury, we would surely do well to consider that air pollution, climate change and the stress of trying to work at a superfast pace could cause a rise in cancer cases, drug addiction and the 40 per cent increase in mental health cases.

Only recently, chief medical officer and Professor Dame Sally Davies warned: “The NHS must take a lead on tackling a cocktail of pollutants, which are contributing to chronic sickness across the country. Aren’t the likes of Facebook a mind-destroying pollutant?”

To ignore the professor’s warning will surely result in Britain becoming a sicker place. Not to mention Brexit.

Allan Ramsay
Radcliffe