The Knowledge Academy

Businesses who develop new products, services and processes, generally put themselves ahead of competitors and are in a better position to adapt to any changes in the needs/expectations of their customers. Those companies that fail to innovate, will undoubtedly suffer from poor operational and financial performance. At the same time, lack sustainability for long-term survival. 

Figures from UCAS reveal that more than 353,960 people from across the UK were accepted to start an undergraduate course in 2018. However, life at university isn’t all rosy, as The Department of Education recently announced that students can expect to pay £11,000 for shorter and more intense courses. Once again, the debate surrounding the ‘best value’ degrees continues to resurface, as students consider their options before leaving university with large amounts of debt.

Universities play a fundamental role in the economic and social development of the UK. Businesses and society benefit hugely from a well-educated graduate workforce. Yet despite this, the decision by the government to allow universities to charge up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees from the academic year of 2012-13, perplexed many students and their parents/carers alike. Especially so, when they considered the sizeable amount of debt they would accumulate from completing a degree at the higher tuition rates.

Over a decade ago, internships and placements were a means for students to self-assess how well they were suited to a role or industry, but nowadays, this experience has become highly desirable in the backdrop of a very competitive and turbulent job market, internships and placement scheme completion has become an essential consideration in the recruitment process for new graduates.