Anthony Finkelstein, President of City St George’s, University of London, has called for a fundamental redesign of the undergraduate degree structure, arguing that the traditional three-year model no longer aligns with the evolving demands of modern higher education.

His proposal comes amid mounting pressure on universities across the United Kingdom to address challenges related to access, financial sustainability, and graduate outcomes raising broader questions about the future direction of the sector.

At the core of his argument is a shift toward a “two-plus-two” model: a streamlined two-year bachelor’s degree, followed by an optional two-year master’s programme. This approach, he suggests, would better reflect contemporary educational needs while offering greater flexibility for students.

Finkelstein challenges the assumption that the current three-year structure is academically optimal, describing it instead as “largely a historical artefact” shaped by past economic and institutional conditions rather than enduring educational principles.

While much of the higher education discourse has focused on participation, funding, and outcomes, Finkelstein highlights a critical gap: insufficient attention to the design and delivery of the undergraduate curriculum itself.

He argues that a two-year degree could deliver comparable academic content more efficiently. Current UK programmes typically provide around 79 weeks of teaching over three years. A redesigned two-year model with approximately 40 teaching weeks per year could match this volume while offering a more continuous and immersive learning experience.

Advances in educational technology, he notes, further strengthen the case for reform by enabling more effective and flexible modes of instruction.

Proponents of accelerated degree structures point to clear benefits:

  • Reduced financial burden for students
  • Earlier entry into the workforce
  • Expanded access to higher education
  • Greater emphasis on applied and experiential learning

For institutions, such a shift could catalyse innovation in teaching methods and programme design, aligning academic delivery more closely with labour market needs.

Finkelstein also situates the proposal within an international context. Degree structures vary widely: four-year undergraduate programmes are standard in the United States, while many European systems follow a three-year bachelor’s plus two-year master’s framework. Scotland, notably, already operates largely on a four-year undergraduate model.

Against this backdrop, a two-plus-two system represents not a reduction in academic rigour, but an alternative configuration of the same overall educational investment.

Source: BusinessDay