Foundation degrees offer ''vision for the future''

Former Education Secretary says important lessons must be learned from success of Fds

The continuing growth of Foundation degrees provides a vision for the future that the higher education community should not ignore.

Estelle Morris, writing in The Guardian, claims that those offering traditional degrees could learn a lot from the diverse entry routes and patterns of provision offered by Fds.

“These degrees have called for new ways of working between higher and further education, and between academia, business and industry,” says the former Education Secretary, now Baroness Morris of Yardley.

“Employers and students are in the driving seat of course design, and strong links between universities and colleges mean it is easy for students to complete an honours degree.”

Baroness Morris acknowledges that the Fd has suffered criticism in the past as it does not sit easy with more traditional university perceptions.

“These degrees came on the scene at a time of growing budgets and the expansion of the post-18 sector,” she adds. “They reflected the 50% higher education participation target and were a response to the comparatively low adult skill level.

“Yet their success may have lessons in these different times. The economy and the country still need more people skilled to a higher level and recession doesn't diminish the argument that social progress can be a consequence of more people having the chance to benefit from a degree-level education.

“The temptation is always to do less when money is scarce, but Lord Mandelson makes a good case for doing things differently. His call for...greater flexibility and a sector that has the ability to respond better to the demands of its students is worth heeding – and subject courses may learn something from their vocational neighbours.

“It isn't just the financial crisis that means we need to rethink, but the consequences for people's lives and the changing demands of employers. It calls for diverse entry routes and patterns of provision across higher education.

“Foundation degrees will never be at the top of the academic tree, but their record of innovation might be a lesson from which others could learn.”