Memorandum 6
Submission from the School of Pharmacy
and Chemistry, Liverpool John Moores University
Most university students chose their disciplines
when they were 17 years of age or even younger. They had very
little experience of life and almost no concept of a career. The
selection of a programme of study for most is not based on ambition
or future goals. A small proportion subsequently discover a career
pathway for which their degree subject does not qualify them.
Nowhere is this more the case than it is for careers that require
a professionally recognised degree qualification such as pharmacy.
It is already difficult for a graduate to undertake a second degree
but under the new funding proposals it will be unrealistic for
all but the extremely affluent.
I am an admissions tutor for a pharmacy degree.
I receive enquiries from graduates who believe that they have
found a new vocation, almost daily. I am now in the position of
having to explain to such graduates that such a career aspiration
is probably outside their grasp.
My principal concerns of principle are two-fold.
Firstly, graduates undertaking a second degree
to qualify as pharmacists are generally very able and are certainly
very dedicated to their chosen profession. I believe that graduates
augment the quality of the profession and its practice very substantially.
It is common practice in North America, for example, where I believe
the standard of pharmacy practice is extremely high, for pharmacy
students to be graduates. Surely we should recognise, applaud
and support graduates who want to take their studies into new
arenas. My experience with graduate entrants has been universally
positive. Mature students are generally far more committed to
their studies and their maturity is a great asset when they are
set alongside the younger members of their cohorts. I believe
that it would be in everyone's interest to at least maintain the
status quo.
Secondly, I believe that it is uncivilised and
immoral to introduce a scheme which, to all practical purposes,
binds the decision of a minor to be life-binding contract. Adults
should not be held responsible for decisions they made as children
in this way.
December 2007
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