Basic skills in drawing, presentation and research among design students are deteriorating because of the rapid expansion in higher education, according to the Royal Society of Arts.
The RSA says increased student numbers have led to a decrease in contact time between students and tutors while budget constraints have resulted in fewer part-time tutors with experience of industry. There has also been a decrease in the level of practical work in disciplines like glassware and jewellery.
The society says that while top students continue to produce excellent work, standards among the bulk of middle ground students are "deteriorating".
The findings are based on observations of juries assessing work submitted for the 1995/96 RSA Student Design Awards. The scheme this year attracted nearly 3,000 student designers in over 100 design colleges and universities.
In its report, Signs of Strain, the RSA says the quality of work in some of the 22 categories covered by its competition - including animation, multimedia and packaging - continues to improve. Entries in the graphics, medical products and equipment, domestic products and fashion fabrics categories showed a "welcome improvement" over last year.
Judges however expressed continued "dissatisfaction" with home furnishings and fashion. In the case of furniture, entries were so disappointing that the RSA has suspended the category for a year.