As part of his campaign to be the next Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has pledged to phase-out degrees which do not improve students’ earning potential, while instead focusing on vocational degrees.

The Tory leadership hopeful’s plan to phase out low-earning degrees is part of a larger shake-up of post-16 education he hopes to implement, should he become Prime Minister. The plan would also include the introduction of a ‘British Baccalaureate,’ which would require pupils to study maths and english until age 18.

Sunak has said this shake-up of post-16 education would be ‘a significant stride towards parity of esteem between vocational and academic education.’

The earning potential of degrees would be measured based on salary thresholds, drop-out rates, and percent of students in graduate jobs, although there would be exceptions for degrees with ‘high social value,’ such as nursing.

The former Chancellor, who studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at University, is currently 24 points behind favourite Liz Truss in the polls, though both candidates have promised a cabinet position to the other should they win.

In an informal poll conducted on Fab ‘n’ Fresh, a Facebook group popular with University of Birmingham students, Redbrick found that 73% of respondents primarily chose their degree subject because it was what they enjoyed and were interested in. At 9%, employment opportunities was the second most popular reason for choosing a particular subject.

Sunak’s plans have been widely criticised by young people with one recent graduate telling Redbrick, ‘In all honesty, as someone who studied English lit during a pandemic and strikes I have frequently felt as though I have learnt barely anything on my course and wouldn’t say that it has been helpful in finding a job. 

‘However, it’s becoming increasingly hard to find a job without having a degree, and as someone who is going off to do a postgraduate in journalism, and wants to be a journalist, it has been vital for me to get an undergraduate degree. For me, other things during my university experience, such as societies, have helped me get to where I am career wise, although I know I wouldn’t be working towards a masters in journalism without my BA.’

‘I don’t know how you would classify what is a low-earning degree- And I don’t think earning potential is necessarily related to your degree but rather your work experience, interests, and own ambition job desires. I know plenty of people who have studied typically ‘low earning’ degrees who have gone on to do brilliantly well.’

Despite the criticisms of his plans, Sunak has said, ‘Every child deserves a world-class education and, if I become prime minister, I will make it my mission from day one to ensure that’s what they get.’

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