Badenoch thinks my degree is worthless – I beg to differ

At this year’s Conservative conference, Kemi Badenoch reaffirmed Rishi Sunak’s position that, should they get back into power, she'll be coming after the “Mickey Mouse” degrees. First on the chopping block are anthropology, sociology and media studies, cut down with a scythe sharpened by a need for proper degrees and apprenticeships that can churn out graduates far better prepared for neo-liberal dronery. I mean, “goofy degrees” was right there, guys.

- AMELIA JACOBS

I am the proud owner of a joint honours degree in sociology and anthropology (cue a scoff from a Tory MP limbering up for a shuffle across the benches). So, I feel rather inclined to rush to the defence of my beloved -ologies, and to my fellow dossy degree holders. Our degrees have been called “debt traps”, said to ill-prepare graduates for work and condemn them to poor salary prospects. But a point I think is being overlooked here is the fact that some might like to learn things other than how to be a city slicker. Quick disclaimer: despite being in full-time employment, I’ve been in an overdraft more often than I’ve been out of one this year. Do with that what you will.

I need to be told that my degree was a “waste of time” and “low value” about as much as I need a hole in the head. It’s so incredibly unhelpful to devalue passion and make people feel as though they’ve got themselves into debt for nothing. It feels like another example of climbing the proverbial ladder, then pulling it straight up after you. Why should learning simply for learning's sake be a privilege no longer afforded? Surely, we deserve the full scope of choice just as much as the generations before us.