The Conservatives have reiterated their pledge to cut “dead-end” university courses, planning instead to double the number of apprenticeships.
In a statement, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would cut university entrants by 100,000, using the money saved to fund the same number of additional apprenticeships, as part of wider reforms to the education system.
The Conservatives have previously said that cutting 100,000 university entrants would save the Government £3.6 billion.
Before going to university, Badenoch completed an Engineering apprenticeship, and spoke of the need to raise their prestige, saying they are a “fantastic way to learn and get in the workplace”.
To do this, Badenoch said it would be necessary to take money out of the university sector, shifting the use of education spending.
In a BBC interview, shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expanded on Badenoch’s statement, remarking that the Conservatives wish to end funding for “dead-end” university courses.
Trott referenced a 2020 report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies, which found as many as 30% of young people at university have negative returns from their studies. She said that closing 100,000 places would also help to reduce debt.
When asked which courses would close, Trott gave the example of creative arts, for which she said up to 75% of loans are “not paid back”.
Trott acknowledged that cutting university courses may place some universities in further financial difficulties, but said it was an important step to help young people into work.
Badenoch also promised that the Conservatives would cut the interest rate of Plan 2 student loan repayments, which were introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2012 and remained in place until 2023.
Around 5.8 million people are estimated to have taken out such a loan during this period. Interest on them is currently charged at the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus up to 3%. The Conservatives would cap repayments at RPI only.
Badenoch said this measure would make a big difference to young people, many of whom are not clearing any of their student debt despite working.
There were over 650,000 first-degree entrants in 2024/25, a figure which is continuing to rise steadily.
The previous Conservative government under Rishi Sunak also promised to crack down on “rip-off” degrees with poor job prospects and high drop-out rates.
