NUS calls for monitoring body

The Council of College and University English (CCUE) fears that the humanities in general are under-represented on the Dearing committee, which might propose reforms without appreciating their potential impact, writes Olga Wojtas.

While Dearing is not investigating individual disciplines, CCUE urges Dearing to sanction resources to boost computer skills for English students. The council's convener David Punter, professor of English at Stirling University, said employers increasingly expected computer skills, but funding for technology in the humanities was hopelessly inadequate.

English language and literature courses attract students from around the world, says the CCUE, currently bringing in Pounds 2.6 million from overseas students. Around 13 per cent of undergraduates from the European Union and overseas take English courses.