Greater focus on careers needed, student juries declare

Universities should be putting a greater emphasis on career opportunities, five student juries have stated.

Organised by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, along with Minister for Students, Baroness Delyth Morgan, the student juries were asked to give their views on higher education.

The students remarked that better identification and support of work placements was needed from universities, and postgraduate opportunities should be more clearly highlighted.

Furthermore, the juries declared that the application process for financial support is too complex and access to improved, quality student accommodation on and around the university campus should be provided.

Baroness Morgan explained why the forum was necessary, saying: 'Higher-education policy needs to reflect the reality for today's students.

'We need to hear students' views so that we can help improve the university experience for them and future learners.'

John Denham, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced at the start of this month that a £21m mentoring initiative is to be launched that will see 5,500 university students give support to school and college pupils around the country.