I am delighted that folk and traditional music now gets the same recognition as the classical genres, and that students are able to pursue it with the same academic rigour.

From what I've seen, most students are already well ensconced in their local music scene before even applying for a degee course.

As for the lack of degree-level qualifications in older generations: I'm sure many of the long-respected stalwarts of the folk scene would have jumped at the chance of studying and playing with some of the best musicians in the country, had such an opportunity been available to them.
Marje