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A recent survey by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)of England's top engineering institutions has found that fewer than half had offered any of the extra 10,000 places announced by the Government this summer. The main reasons for this are concerns that there was no funding available to teach them and that the places were still subject to financial penalties for over-recruitment.
The findings come in the light of the announcement by Lord Mandelson that university funding will be targeted at universities and courses that help to address strategic skills gaps.
Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE Chief Executive, said: "A fresh supply of high quality graduates is the lifeblood of our industry and the economy. Concentrating funding on courses and institutions that meet our skills needs has to be a step forward. However, the policy on skills must be consistent. Sending mixed messages on funding and access cannot be helpful."
ACE's survey also found that none of the universities that took part in its survey had cut places on engineering courses, despite demands for reductions in teaching budgets by HEFCE.
-ENDS-
For press information please contact Simon Goldie on 020 7227 1892 or 07905 279328 – sgoldie@acenet.co.uk
Notes for editors
The survey was conducted during September and October. 27 universities were approached including the Russell Group and new universities based on the Times Ranking of engineering universities.
13 universities responded.
To read the full findings please click on this link.
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