The University System is Broken: Here's How to Fix It | IEA Podcast

Higher education is in crisis, and Peter Ainsworth, Author of the new IEA Publication 'Shares in Students', has a radical solution. In this podcast, he explains how universities are financially struggling, with graduates earning less and carrying massive debt. His proposal? Tie university funding directly to student employment outcomes. Ainsworth argues that the current system incentivises student recruitment, not student success. By redirecting loan repayments back to universities based on graduate earnings, institutions would be motivated to provide education that genuinely improves career prospects. He suggests removing bureaucratic regulations and allowing universities more flexibility in pricing. Drawing inspiration from medieval apprenticeship models, Ainsworth believes these reforms could transform the UK's higher education sector. With potential changes in the US system and declining international student numbers, he sees an opportunity for Britain to become the world's leading university destination by aligning educational and economic interests. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit economicaffairs.co.uk/subscribe