UK must produce more high quality science graduates for economic growth
House of Lords report focuses on education pipeline and degree quality
The House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee report on Higher Education in STEM subjects recommends immediate action to ensure more young people study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects in higher education.
The report highlights the need for quality benchmarking in higher education and commends the role of professional bodies. The Committee also recommended that the Science Council develops an accreditation system for HE STEM courses which identifies the core skills sets required of STEM graduates.
Diana Garnham, CEO of the Science Council said “We welcome the publication of the Committee’s report, which acknowledged a number of the issues raised in our submission. I am particularly pleased that the Committee acknowledge and supports degree course accreditation by professional bodies as a mark of quality and transferability. Accreditation of science degrees will give both students and employers the assurance that the degree is a ‘proper’ science degree and the course covers the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies for employment in science based occupations”.
The Committee also drew on the Science for Careers Expert Group Action Plan and its recommendations relating to work experience for STEM graduates.
Diana Garnham said “High quality work placements are a valuable means of increasing graduates’ workplace–related skills and providing them with an accurate picture of a career in science so that they can make more informed career decisions. The Science Council has a number of projects in partnership with Member Bodies, and with employers, schools and colleges that aim to raise awareness of the breadth of qualification pathways and career opportunities in science”