Value for money is a pressing issue for me – and anyone thinking about university.
Tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year, expensive accommodation and lost wages are only some of the costs to consider.
Moreover, the emphasis has shifted from teaching to independent study and research. I find this a lazy attitude as universities should take an active role in their students' learning, especially when the costs are so high.
I will apply to university next year. My choice of university primarily depends on the courses they offer, since it will be easier to succeed if I enjoy the subject.
The course should be engaging, challenging and flexible. There must also be an adequate complaint system in place that compensates me if I feel short-changed. Many students are experiencing this, as shown by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator receiving record numbers of complaints last year.
Fees are a secondary concern for me, as getting a degree will probably get me better jobs and higher wages. Graduates, according to the Office for National Statistics, will earn on average £12,000 more a year than non-graduates. But a degree does not guarantee a job, and I may in five years' time be unemployed and weighed down by £27,000 in debts. Then, I might not be so dismissive of the fees.
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