Is going to university really worth it? British prime minister Rishi Sunak says that too many courses do not lead to good jobs. But some insist that finding a job is not the point of studying.
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Britain starts crackdown on 'rip-off' degrees
Is going to university really worth it? British prime minister Rishi Sunak says that too many courses do not lead to good jobs. But some insist that finding a job is not the point of studying.
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What's happening?
Rita is worried as she opens the letter. Here it is: the latest billA printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services. Can also mean a draft of a suggested new law presented to lawmakers for discussion. for the three years she spent studying golf management at university. How much does she still owe for her student loanMoney that students can borrow to pay for university. ?
She can hardly bear to look - but there it is: £24,561.83. Will she ever be able to pay it back from her job at a call centreAn office in which large numbers of people answer phones, often to answer customers' problems for large businesses. ?
This Monday, British leader Rishi Sunak said that there are too many people in Rita's position. They are being "sold a false dream of going to university", he said. But they end up on courses which do not give them the skills to find a well-paid job.
From now on, a new group will look at the future pay of students on each course.
If many do not get a good job, the course will not be allowed to have as many students.
But not everyone thinks this is the right thing to do. Writer Suzanne Moore points out that most people's jobs have nothing do with what they studied.
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"We do not know what skills will be needed in the next few years," she argues. "The thrillFeeling of excitement. of learning lasts a lifetime and there is no price that can be put on that."
Before 1998, it was free to go to university in the UK. In the last 20 years, the price of a year at university has been rising.
Sunak argues that more focus should be put on other options - such as apprenticeshipsWhen someone learns the skills they need whilst working and being paid. or training courses.
Is going to university really worth it?
Yes! Going to university is not just about getting a job. It is also about meeting new people and learning to think in new ways.
No! It costs a lot of money to go to university today. Many people are leaving university with lots of debtWhen you have borrowed money and need to pay it back. - but they might not get a job that will help them to pay back the money.
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Keywords
bill - A printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services. Can also mean a draft of a suggested new law presented to lawmakers for discussion.
Student loan - Money that students can borrow to pay for university.
Call centre - An office in which large numbers of people answer phones, often to answer customers' problems for large businesses.
Thrill - Feeling of excitement.
Apprenticeships - When someone learns the skills they need whilst working and being paid.
Debt - When you have borrowed money and need to pay it back.
Britain starts crackdown on ‘rip-off’ degrees
Degree fee: The majority of university courses in the UK cost £9,250 a year for tuition. Glossary
bill - A printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services. Can also mean a draft of a suggested new law presented to lawmakers for discussion.
Student loan - Money that students can borrow to pay for university.
Call centre - An office in which large numbers of people answer phones, often to answer customers' problems for large businesses.
Thrill - Feeling of excitement.
Apprenticeships - When someone learns the skills they need whilst working and being paid.
Debt - When you have borrowed money and need to pay it back.