At an event hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute, which describes itself as the only independent think tank for higher education, speakers were arguing that degrees today can do more for graduates and local communities.
Speaking to Sebastian Stanwell-wise, co-produce of Off the Page, the podcast of Exeposé, Conservative peer Baroness Cash was critical of the way that our higher education prepares students for work after university. ”Without the skills or motivation, the best degree in the world won’t make a difference”, she said. On work experience, her advice was to ”get anything you can”, emphasising the importance of this for broadening your world view.
Baroness Cash also suggested that universities need to do more for their local communities. She described a system of ”skills mapping” to see what skills and qualifications are necessary in an area. This idea comes as a suggestion to reduce the over-saturated graduate market, particularly in some humanities and creative subjects.
Universities need to do more for local communities
Artificial Intelligence is also a prominent topic discussed, where evidence has suggested grade inflation at some UK institutions, which was linked to students relying too heavily on the technology for their exams. Panellists highlighted the impact of AI use by students in universities, saying that the issue needs to be ”addressed properly”. A study presented by the panel demonstrated a correlation between a greater reliance on edtech with a higher decline in standards of teaching.
Separately, at an event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice, Dr Tony Sewell CBE, chair of the educational charity Generating Genius, went even further in an event, saying that ”half of universities need to be cut”. Dr Tony Sewell favours vocational courses and other education routes. These comments came as he discussed the long-term financial implications, likely with reference to those who are on Plan 5 student loans, which began in England from 2023.
AI use by students in universities needs to be ”addressed properly”
Baroness Cash: ”Without the skills or motivation, the best degree in the world won’t make a difference to your future”
At an event hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute, which describes itself as the only independent think tank for higher education, speakers were arguing that degrees today can do more for graduates and local communities.
Speaking to Sebastian Stanwell-wise, co-produce of Off the Page, the podcast of Exeposé, Conservative peer Baroness Cash was critical of the way that our higher education prepares students for work after university. ”Without the skills or motivation, the best degree in the world won’t make a difference”, she said. On work experience, her advice was to ”get anything you can”, emphasising the importance of this for broadening your world view.
Baroness Cash also suggested that universities need to do more for their local communities. She described a system of ”skills mapping” to see what skills and qualifications are necessary in an area. This idea comes as a suggestion to reduce the over-saturated graduate market, particularly in some humanities and creative subjects.
Artificial Intelligence is also a prominent topic discussed, where evidence has suggested grade inflation at some UK institutions, which was linked to students relying too heavily on the technology for their exams. Panellists highlighted the impact of AI use by students in universities, saying that the issue needs to be ”addressed properly”. A study presented by the panel demonstrated a correlation between a greater reliance on edtech with a higher decline in standards of teaching.
Separately, at an event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice, Dr Tony Sewell CBE, chair of the educational charity Generating Genius, went even further in an event, saying that ”half of universities need to be cut”. Dr Tony Sewell favours vocational courses and other education routes. These comments came as he discussed the long-term financial implications, likely with reference to those who are on Plan 5 student loans, which began in England from 2023.
Orlando McKillop
An Editor’s Note on Exeposé at the Conservative Party Conference 2026
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