Another topical debate: Is A University Education Worth It?

[Grizzley Dell]

As for college fees, I do think the less well off should have a chance at further education if they want it, but the degree should be a useful one. If you want a free course, it has to be for something that we as a country are short of, not yet another 'Media expert'. Choose a free or subsidised (grant not loan) course or pay for it.

 

Another interesting concept, grants based on the true value of the course being studied.

 

 

yeah thats a good idea. i mean what use is a degree in surfing as appose to a degree in a science for instants

[jpayne]

As I understand it the repayments only start after graduation and the person earns over 21000 per year. This is intrest free loans until you earn 41k per year when it becomes a 3 percent charge. this system is similar to what Australia and several other countries have had for a decade or so. not saying its good or bad just saying.

I have 3 degrees, bachelor of business, BA in Design and a BA in Architecture I also have a diploma in Draughting...10 years at university. I owe over 60K in tuition fees, in Australia these debts grow by a CPI rate sometimes this has amounted to more than I have paid off in that year. I will most likely never pay the debt off. Has it been worth it?

Judging by my pre-degree class mates, incomes and paths in life, yes! My training has allowed me to have travelled the world, worked in many places, and earnt substantially better than most of them, and the best is yet to come as oportunities grow the older I get.

I dont believe the fee increase should affect the poorer members of society or block their access to education, unless they get into education debt for useless degrees with no possible decent income stream. However I believe society benefits from an educated workforce, better engineers, lawyers, doctors etc contributing taxes and expertice and making opportunity for others. I dont mind the debt, would prefer not to have it, its also only a small contribution to my education the state having paid the majority of it, I pay for some as I get the biggest benefit, the state pays for some because it also gets a tangible benefit.

 

Cheers,

 

JP

[cozmic]

hi all apart from a couple of years college I learnt my trade and gained my qualifications (tree surgeon) on the job. My wife however attended university and gained a bachelors degree, a post graduate degree and a masters degree over a period and is now employed in local government the point i,m trying to make is that although I am classed as a professional my wife earns about 11k a year more than I can and I earn fairly good salary.

So as long as students study a subject they are likely to persue and pass theyre courses they can earn good pay which more than offsets the rise in student fees

[mk1super]

How i see it is it should be means tested im all for people bettering themselfs, but theres alot at uni already better off from the get go simply because of the background they come from. I think it would be a great shame if those who didnt have such a great start in life were done out of the oppertunitey to better themselfs. If uni hadnt been so expensive i may well have went for it myself but back then wasnt really an option, but hey-ho cant grumble

[deltamal]

Reading some of the previous posts, it seems to me that a lot of degree courses and EMA training used to be covered by 5 year apprenticeships with day release to a local college offered by most companies in bygone years, a lot were "student apprentices" full time at college or uni, working at the factory between terms, I did a 5 year engineering apprenticeship in tool and mouldmaking, always been in work, it's a sad fact that loss of government grants and greater competition from abroad has stopped a lot of companies from taking lads on, Iv'e put two through apprenticeships, one toolmaking, one to degree level in engineering and am reaping the benefits of their training as they are with wages and skills, perhaps more government apprentice funding to companies would help, practical skills (which we are short of) instead of media and surfing degrees, most of the skilled men I employ are approaching retirement, with replacements for them hard to find....