The survey, organized by the association of graduate recruitment specialists, involved 215 recruitment specialists from the largest British companies. Nearly 60% of respondents believe that the increase in the number of students has led to a decline in educational standards.
The results contradict recently announced plans by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to raise the proportion of university students to 50% of the country's young population by the end of the decade.
53% of the surveyed specialists are convinced that an excessive number of higher education degrees are awarded in Britain. Over the past 40 years, the share of university students has increased from 8% to 43.5%.