Howard, you say read/study more but you clearly have not bothered reading the posts of the one you are criticising - I've used books: you will not find, e.g., "The Northumbrian Bagpipes" or "The Tyne Exiles Lament" in google/on the web. As with Ruth, you are ASSUMING the time I've put in is low.
The folk degree in question is based within the borders of England, but it's likely, sadly, that less than half of what was presented at this year's final recitals was E. trad - there were Scots performing their culture, and English performing largely the culture of other nations. (When members of The Devil's Interval were doing their final recitals, the other year, the percentages were much better as far as E. trads go.) This year, I repeat, the quality/musicianship was good, but NOT the selection.