No rise in student numbers and standards need not suffer

Letters to the Editor should be sent to Design Week, 50 Poland Street, London W1V 4AX. Fax: 0171-734 1770. e-mail Design-week@centaur.co.uk

Having read the article Courses “under pressure” as student numbers rise (DW 15 August), I would like to make the following factual corrections.

Colleges and universities have had their student numbers capped in all disciplines, including art and design, for four years. We are subject to financial penalties if we exceed these numbers, therefore there is no increase.

The perceived increase is a direct result of of UCAS and Art & Design Admissions Registry merging, so the numbers are being counted as “new” by UCAS, but have been in existence for many years.

To say that “more graduates” definitely means a lowering of standards is scandalous and based on nothing more than personal prejudice. Education constantly finds efficiency gains and adopts and adapts new practices to ensure quality. I, and my fellow academics, resent the implication that our solution to problems is to lower our standards.

Georgina Follett

Head of design

Duncan of Jordanstone College

Dundee DD1 4HT

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