Is there any point in going to university?

There are facts which show that in the last few years, students have come out of university and are unable to get a job in the field in which they studied, even though they have acquired a degree. It can be seen that only students who have emerged from the top universities such as Oxbridge are actually guaranteed to get the job that they hoped for. I interviewed a group of students who believe that university is no longer a necessity in life and in fact it can be a waste of time. The answers below come from one particular student who expresses her opinions on why university might not be for everyone.

Do you have plans to go to university next year?

No, £9000 is just an extortionate amount of money to pay every year! The government claim that they try to help us by offering us student loans, but most people end up having to pay their loan back well into their working life anyway.

So what are your plans for after you have completed your A Levels?

Well there are alternatives to university, which have the same opportunity for growth; for example an apprenticeship scheme at a particular company. These opportunities not only offer you more knowledge in the particular field, but they also provide you with training and experience which is required by most companies.

So are you suggesting that university students are actually at a disadvantage in comparison to people such as yourself?

Not exactly, it depends on the field that you hope to go into. Jobs related to law or medicine usually require a degree, but if, for example, you wanted to go into a finance related job, it would be more beneficial to have an apprenticeship and gain the experience of a working environment. Another advantage is that you could be earning while learning and escape the student loan!

Do you feel that you would miss out of the university “experience”?

I have to admit that yes, I do feel that I would miss out on the independent lifestyle and enjoying life as an 18 year old, as it is all  part of the transition from teenage life to adulthood. I cannot pretend I’m not going to miss it, but for me, there are reasons against university that outweigh this.

Thank you for your valuable insight.

This shows that university may not be for you or me. It is indeed an experience, but is it an experience that is going to be worth your time? Many people would disagree with me, but it’s food for thought for all students who are planning their futures.