Leaked policy outlines new university funding strategy

A leaked Government document has suggested that extra university funding in the future may be ploughed into courses that have seen significant employer input.

The Financial Times reports that some courses that are designed by employers or receive a large amount of co-operation from industry will see a larger chunk of investment.

According to the paper, the document stated: 'We expect the great majority of this growth to be in provision that is developed with employer input - either foundation degrees [two-year vocational degrees co-designed by employers] or employer co-funded places.'

Universities that have worked with or are committed to working with businesses will see the initial concentration of the cash injection, the document also noted.

This proposed initiative could be one way in which the government is attempting to tackle the lack of skills demonstrated by graduates.

It was suggested by Dan Hawes in other news today that skills such as teamworking, customer service and commercial awareness are missing in many degree holders.