To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage universities to offer multi-disciplinary courses. [HL2459]

Multi-disciplinary courses have a key role to play in higher education. One of the strengths of English higher education is that institutions are autonomous, so it is for universities to decide which courses they teach. However, we want students and employers to have a say in what higher education programmes provide and we want universities to respond to their needs. We made clear in our framework for the future of higher education, Higher Ambitions, that we expect businesses to play a role in the design of higher education programmes. Higher Ambitions also commits to providing improved information for students and their families. This will help students to choose the course and institution that is right for them.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will examine how multi-disciplinary courses such as those in United States and Scottish universities could be introduced more widely in English universities. [HL2460]

Ultimately it is up to English universities, as autonomous institutions, to decide on the nature of their degree courses. However, the Government's framework for the future of higher education, Higher Ambitions, makes clear that we want both students and employers to engage with universities to ensure that courses are meeting their needs, including, where appropriate, by the provision of multi-disciplinary courses of study. Improved information for students about courses will help them to make informed decisions regarding the type of higher education course they wish to study.