Is university really worth it?

It's something that has been debated a lot in recent years with the rise of equivalents such as apprenticeships. Is the university education still valuable and relevant?

Yes: of course it is relevant

University was historically a rich person's, no, man's pathway into esteemed professions such as medicine. Rich people would send their children to universities to become educated and make more money, in order to secure their family's fortune as well as become pioneers in their fields.

Universities only recently made some efforts to include those from middle and working-class backgrounds, recognising that high grades are not always achieved due to financial issues and unforeseen circumstances. It is now much more common for the average person to attend university.

The whole point of university is getting an education, which will lead to better prospects in the job market. This education is arguably invaluable and affords a wealth of experiences with it. Those who move away for university are able to manage themselves and learn life vital skills, as well as discover who they are in unfamiliar settings. It may be challenging but this reflects what working life is like as well as the ability to manage your own time as an adult.

No: not in the modern-day

But now we have alternatives such as apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships that offer university-style qualifications with real-life experience. So the university education that was once seen as the 'be all or end all' is no longer worth the same as it was before.

Plus, university fees were trebled in 2012 to £9,000 a year. They are currently £9,250 per year as of 2024. University used to be free and still is in Scotland. The amount of debt accrued by students is off-putting and has led people to consider other options such as apprenticeship degrees. You get a degree, real experience in the chosen field, and paid at the same time. Others choose to enter the job market and work their way up in companies.

Verdict: should you go to university?

The issue is that it greatly depends on the individual for a number of reasons: money, circumstance, life ambitions. If you want to enter a professional career such as medicine/accounting/law it is best to go to university.

The thing is, the availability of other options other than university reduces its worth as a standard. If it is that important and integral and special, why are there efforts to provide alternatives? Societally, university is still regarded as a basic level of education to achieve if you want to progress in the job market.

Whilst people may shun university for other options, those who run our country and the world are mostly degree-holders. They are from another generation and likely to have come from wealth. University is something that everyone should have the option to attend and not be hindered due to financial issues. But people still struggle with this because there aren't always sufficient loans and grants available.

University is a privilege because it gives you an education that no-one can deny. These credentials will always be yours. I have friends who chose to go to university to pursue their careers, but also those who went because they were confused and hoping to find out what they wanted whilst there. Conversely, some friends didn't go because they didn't want the debt and wanted to start earning straight away. Who will be more successful? It really does depend on the individual rather than just their degree.

People with degrees struggle to get jobs, and so do those without degrees. On the whole, research indicates that degree-holders are statistically likely to make more money over their lifetime. But university degrees are not a guarantee of success.

University and its value really relies on your situation and aspirations for the future. It isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. It's worth it if you want it to be.

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