Former Minister Criticizes 'Mickey Mouse' Degrees Ahead of University Start

Robert Halfon, the former universities minister under Rishi Sunak, has condemned the term "Mickey Mouse degrees," labeling it an insult to students. This criticism comes in response to Sunak's previous remarks about "rip off" courses and his commitment to limiting student recruitment for underperforming programs. Halfon expressed his disapproval of the phrase, emphasizing that it undermines the hard work of students striving for university admission and success. In an interview with the Telegraph, Halfon stated, "I never liked that phrase and I never used it because I felt that it insulted... those students who work really hard to get into university." He cautioned against using such terminology, arguing that it diminishes the value of the educational experiences of many dedicated students. Despite his concerns about the language used, Halfon acknowledged the importance of focusing on the outcomes for graduates, advocating for a results-oriented approach to higher education. In related news, national figures reveal a rise in A-level top grades, with 27.8% of UK entries awarded an A or A* grade, marking an increase from last year and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The proportion of A* grades has also risen to 9.3%, the highest since their introduction in 2010. However, the overall pass rate has slightly declined to 97.2%, down from 97.3% last year and 97.6% in 2019, indicating a mixed performance in this year's A-level results.