Fears Scottish universities will lose their 4-year degrees

Michael Russell said he was not “wedded” to the idea of either a four-year or three-year degree, adding that students should be allowed to chose.

His comments came after university principals called for traditional four-year degrees to be maintained as they represent the “gold standard” of learning.

The debate was ignited last week after Dundee University said it would become the first Scottish institution to develop a three-year honours degree, which will be available to both Scottish students and those from the rest of the UK.

Addressing the annual Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference in St Andrews, Mr Russell spoke of the relative merits of both three- and four-year courses.

But he said “flexibility” should be built into the system to allow students to study for a shorter period than the traditional Scottish honours degree.

He said: “The four-year degree is more common around the world, but I’m not wedded to a four-year degree or a three-year degree. I want flexibility for learner journeys.

“Dundee is experimenting with a number of options. I think we should be flexible. I have met students who want to do their degrees in two years, I have met those who want to do it in five years. We should be flexible about it – if students want to do it in three years, let them.” His comments came after university principals spoke up in favour of four-year degrees at Tuesday’s meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s education committee. Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, principal of Edinburgh University, said four-year degrees were the “gold standard,” adding that the English system was “impoverished” by comparison.

Alastair Sim, head of Universities Scotland, added: “We are utterly wedded to the four-year degree. We see it as a real benefit for Scotland and for learners.”

Although some students already enter the second year of a four-year degree course if they have the appropriate qualifications, Dundee is the first to design a dedicated three-year degree.

The first tranche of three-year honours programmes will be launched in art and design and life sciences for entry in September 2012, with the intention to expand the range to include all appropriate degree programmes in future years.

While those with the appropriate A-levels can already go straight into second year at Scottish universities, Dundee said its new three-year programmes would also be available to Scottish students who had gained the necessary Advanced Highers.

While outlining plans to allow universities to charge tuition fees last year, Mr Russell said no consideration would be given to changing the structure of Scotland’s four-year degree.

However, his position seems to have softened since Dundee’s decision to introduce its new three-year course.

Dr Tony Axon, of the University and College Union (UCU), said: “I’m surprised Mike Russell has said this because in the past he’s said he would protect the four-year honours degree.

“We see it as the cornerstone of education in Scotland and we would be concerned about any threat to that. It offers a broader education as well as a depth because students are able to study more than just the subject they are majoring in.

“There’s certainly the possibility other universities will look to follow Dundee, but the four-year degree already allows for direct entry into second year, so we don’t really see the need for it.”

But Robin Parker, president of the National Union of Students in Scotland, said: “In most of Europe, a flexible four-year degree is the norm – as is free education.

“Reducing the amount of time students need to get a degree could help reduce student debt and save the Scottish Government money. In some circumstances, it could also go some way towards improving access to education by helping students from non-traditional backgrounds get into university.”

The issue of three-year degrees has been raised as a result of tuition fees being introduced in Scotland for students from elsewhere in the UK. Earlier this week, it emerged students in Scotland will pay an average of £6,841 a year for degrees, although Edinburgh and St Andrews – which account for more than 40 per cent of students from the rest of the UK – will charge the maximum of £9,000.

Claire Baker MSP, Labour’s higher education spokeswoman, said: “The four-year degree has served Scotland’s universities well for centuries, gives our graduates a competitive advantage and should be protected. But we should open up new routes of study to encourage more part-time and mature students.”

During yesterday’s speech, Mr Russell said discussions had taken place with the European Commission over the introduction of a so-called “service charge” for EU students studying in Scotland.

At present, both Scottish students and those from mainland Europe are exempt from fees, but the Scottish Government wants to introduce a mechanism that will see EU students pay something towards their degrees.