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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Student work rates 'vary widely' | Student work rates 'vary widely' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The work put in by students in England varies greatly between both subjects and institutions - bringing the value of a degree into doubt, a report says. | The work put in by students in England varies greatly between both subjects and institutions - bringing the value of a degree into doubt, a report says. |
| Those studying medicine at the University of East Anglia worked for 45 hours a week - compared with 29 hours at Queen Mary's in London. | Those studying medicine at the University of East Anglia worked for 45 hours a week - compared with 29 hours at Queen Mary's in London. |
| The survey of more than 15,000 undergraduates was commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute. | The survey of more than 15,000 undergraduates was commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute. |
| Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, welcomed the report. | Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, welcomed the report. |
| It also states that some institutions award many more first-class and upper second class degrees than others. | It also states that some institutions award many more first-class and upper second class degrees than others. |
| READ THE REPORT Experience of university students report [327KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| "Explanations for this might be that the students concerned are more able, or else that they work harder," it says. | "Explanations for this might be that the students concerned are more able, or else that they work harder," it says. |
| "On the basis of these data, neither of these explanations appears to provide a complete answer. | "On the basis of these data, neither of these explanations appears to provide a complete answer. |
| "The report does not prove that the degree classification system is flawed, but it certainly raises questions that need to be addressed." | "The report does not prove that the degree classification system is flawed, but it certainly raises questions that need to be addressed." |
| Students reported an average of nearly 14 hours of scheduled teaching a week - and claimed to attend 92% of these. | Students reported an average of nearly 14 hours of scheduled teaching a week - and claimed to attend 92% of these. |
| Private study | Private study |
| This varied from around 22 hours for those studying medicine to around eight for students of history or philosophy. | This varied from around 22 hours for those studying medicine to around eight for students of history or philosophy. |
| Private study was also taken into account. Architecture and law required the most, at around 17 hours a week. | Private study was also taken into account. Architecture and law required the most, at around 17 hours a week. |
| Scoring least well - and also low down on the hours of scheduled teaching - was mass communications. | Scoring least well - and also low down on the hours of scheduled teaching - was mass communications. |
| The total number of hours put in, for both scheduled and private study was 20 per week. | The total number of hours put in, for both scheduled and private study was 20 per week. |
| Students were also asked how satisfied they were with the amount of teaching they received. Those with low levels of teaching were most likely to be dissatisfied. | Students were also asked how satisfied they were with the amount of teaching they received. Those with low levels of teaching were most likely to be dissatisfied. |
| Overseas students - who pay higher tuition fees than British students and those from other EU countries - were more likely to say their university experiences did not represent value for money. | Overseas students - who pay higher tuition fees than British students and those from other EU countries - were more likely to say their university experiences did not represent value for money. |
| Universities UK president Drummond Bone said: "There is no national curriculum in higher education, and so we should not be surprised that different courses at different institutions involve different use of facilities, contact hours and so on." | Universities UK president Drummond Bone said: "There is no national curriculum in higher education, and so we should not be surprised that different courses at different institutions involve different use of facilities, contact hours and so on." |
| Both students and staff want smaller class sizes Sally HuntUniversity and College Union | Both students and staff want smaller class sizes Sally HuntUniversity and College Union |
| He added that the number of teaching hours was not an indicator of the quality of education. | He added that the number of teaching hours was not an indicator of the quality of education. |
| But he said that the variation in degree classes raised some "interesting questions". | But he said that the variation in degree classes raised some "interesting questions". |
| The University and College Union said the survey reflected the pressure academics were under to commit time to research and administrative duties. | The University and College Union said the survey reflected the pressure academics were under to commit time to research and administrative duties. |
| "Our members complain of ever-increasing bureaucracy and this combined with rising student numbers puts enormous pressure on staff, particularly now that students are paying for their studies," said joint general-secretary Sally Hunt. | "Our members complain of ever-increasing bureaucracy and this combined with rising student numbers puts enormous pressure on staff, particularly now that students are paying for their studies," said joint general-secretary Sally Hunt. |
| She added: "Both students and staff want smaller class sizes, which comes as little surprise when one considers the student-staff ratio is now higher in universities than in our schools." | She added: "Both students and staff want smaller class sizes, which comes as little surprise when one considers the student-staff ratio is now higher in universities than in our schools." |