[UYChuH]

I'm doing my PhD in a Russell group British university. In one of our big group meetings someone asked about what was being done to encourage students to take theoretical CS courses, because after first year (when they're forced to take one) almost no students took them.

When someone suggested we "go ask the students" the Profs and Lecturers shot it down saying "they'd only lie". I did go ask some of the undergrads and the reasons almost universally that the prof who taught it in first year was a harsh marker, bad lecturer, and that it wasn't worth losing the credit points in years two onward when they could get a better grade elsewhere and come out with a better degree at the end of it.

The staff don't trust the students and the students want to make sure they get their money's worth; even if it means missing on some important stuff.