Sir, While Antonia Senior might have wasted her time at university troughing ready-meals while wearing her pyjamas, she is mistaken to think of herself as a model humanities student. She sounds more like a stereotype (“If you want to study arts, subsidise a scientist”, Opinion, June 24).
As a very recent graduate who read philosophy, I can safely say I have never even noticed the nutritious sounding “super-noodles” of which Ms Senior writes about so fondly.
I disagree that “anyone can educate themselves in history or English” as the commitment needed these days to complete a degree is immense. Unlike the “good old days” when she was enrolled in university, lectures are stuffed with students stressed by the news that an undergraduate degree depreciates daily. Believe it or not, university students have heard of the recession and they are acutely aware of slimming job markets.
Furthermore, perhaps her sentiments might benefit from some reference to the (significant) aspect of education that precedes A levels. This might be useful when considering why school leavers are choosing business and media studies.
Perhaps they elect these subjects based on factors other than their aspiration to regularly attend pyjama parties?
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Perhaps they have been inspired by a teacher, or maybe they are naive enough to desire more from life than the chance to bow to Asian demands and see their bank accounts billow to a sufficient size for their friendly bank manager to offer them a mortgage.
Alex Court
Ashtead, Surrey