The Augar report pits arts against sciences – and both lose out | Simon Marginson

Cutting fees for arts and humanities degrees would damage Stem subjects too

After days of intensive discussion, the strengths and weaknesses of the Augar report on post-18 education policy and funding are apparent. It is a solid review, refreshingly non-ideological in tone, but undermined by a flawed vision and wishful thinking.

Some of its proposals - and its less attractive one-liners about low-value courses and too many graduates - are likely to seep into policy. But it lacks the momentum of a great reform. It gives but it takes away, handicapped by having to be fiscally neutral.