The truth about uni applications – students still want places

With the current rates of youth unemployment it’s no surprise that many school leavers aren’t in a rush to try their luck in the job market. Unfortunately, even after three years of study, many still won’t be able to secure a job easily. I think we need to radically re-think how we enable young people with and without degrees to find their path into a meaningful career, so that they can contribute to the country’s economic growth sooner rather than later. Making meaningful career advice a core part of our education system is one way we could give all young people a better chance of realising their full potential. So it’s a real shame that the government has scrapped all ring-fenced funding for it in schools.

Welcome Hollie.

It is time to question whether school/college leavers should go straight to university. Often, those who work for a year or two are often far more mature and motivated, have a better idea of what they want to achieve and how best to use their time at university. If they have managed to save some money before going into higher education, this can reduce the debt they graduate with.

I feel that funds for universities could be better used by better funding a smaller number of places, and giving these to applicants who can demonstrate motivation and a reasonable ability. Far too many are dropping out of university courses. Some courses have so many students that there is little opportunity for lecturers to get to know their students and be able to deliver the individual support that they need and deserve.

As far as I’m concerned – ANY decrease in Student Numbers is wrong. We need our young ones to be as well educated as possible and as many as possible to degree standard for the future of the country.. Labour proved that the reason for the tiny numbers of graduates during the last Tory Era was due to lack of opportunity to study not – as was often alleged by the Tories (as now) – lack of ability.

Education should be free of cost to the student – including any maintenance allowance.- as it used to be.

High quality education costs – and should not be restricted only to those that can pay.- The private sector should pay. £12,000 a year (with living costs) per year is too much to be faced by the poor and vulnerable – our Education System is now one of the the most expensive in the Western World…

When I was a student my tuition fees and maintenance allowance were paid by an electronics company – as I was one of a very small number to be chosen to be supported – this included “on the job” training. But it was emphasised that they expected some of us to move to other companies. Now companies simply poach trained personnel from other countries. They need to pay for indigenous students education.

The new system is in effect a graduate tax, only repayable when earnings are over £21,000 pa.

I don’t like it – I think a University Education should be provided out of general taxation, but the revised arrangements although resulting in large levels of loan, do mean manageable repayments.

I was astonished when as a student it was explained to me that University education was, at the time, free, with no compulsion to stay in the UK, pay taxes in the UK or repay any of the cost if I left. I was born overseas to UK parents, “immigrating” when I was 10 years old. I have come to value very highly the excellent education I received in the UK, but I certainly don’t regard it as my right to receive it – if the country has overspent so badly and can’t afford it then I understand – even really good things have to be paid for and if the money’s gone, it’s gone.