You will be leaving Sixth Form soon; you will have to decide whether to take up a place at University or join the world of work.
If you're lucky, your chosen career path is clear: you wish to be a doctor or engineer so you need to go to Uni. But if you're like most students, the next few years are a blank canvas. You're left wondering whether investing three or four years at University is likely to pay the dividends you are looking for:

  • being able to build social and professional networks
  • delaying your entry into the workforce
  • earning more - even for entry-level positions
  • not earning enough to offset the cost of higher education or the extra years you spent in school

As you can see by these pros and cons, a university education isn't all upsides. Before you make your decision, take the time to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of going to university. This blog post sets out to give you some of the questions you should be asking yourself.

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Should I Go To University?

Despite what society tells us, University isn't for everyone. Choosing not to go to University when you're 18 does not mean that the opportunity is gone forever. It may be more complicated to enrol at uni as a mature student when you have a full-time job and a mortgage to pay. But the opportunity to go back into education to earn a degree is always there.

That said, many would argue that the university experience is best if you follow the majority of your peers, enrolling straight from college or sixth form. However, the big question is not 'what should I do?' but 'what do I want to do?'. Let us help you make up your mind about going to University without getting caught up in societal pressure or family expectations.

A female student wearing a brown jumper sits at a table in a library with an open laptop computer in front of her, looking doubtful.
Is university the right choice for you? Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

The Pros Of Going To University

There is a lot to be said about going to university. Chief among them is the chance to ease into your adult life and obligations. At university, you get to test your autonomy while still somewhat sheltered from real-world obligations. There are more reasons for being a university student.

The Chance to Specialise

If you have a love for history, you dream of a career as a barrister or you are a budding Stephen Hawking, University is an ideal place to encounter great thinkers.

Learning from lecturers and tutors who are as passionate about your field as you are is intensely rewarding. Being knowledgeable about a particular subject is something you can be proud of; it can help you stand out against the rest. But it can also put you in a lonely place if you have no one to share this amazing thing with.

Why else are there like-minded groups to meet, follow and share with on social media?! There is no better feeling than talking about something we love in great company. What's more, mixing with like-minded people can open you up to more lessons about the subject you are already set on. A stint at university could be the answer to just that for you.

Your professors and fellow students will navigate all areas of your subject with you. They'll provide study tips and reading lists, and keep you abreast of new developments in your chosen subject. It is no wonder that most graduates look back on their university days as the most mentally stimulating of their life.

Moreover, most postgraduate students agree that their time at university is when they advanced their knowledge the most. That's when they took in vast amounts of new information and data over the course of three to four years. It also helped them build the professional and social skills that serve them in their working lives.

University is a Good Investment

Despite the high fees many Universities in the UK can charge, tertiary education pays dividends. The Office for National Statistics studies shows that graduates are more likely to be employed than those with a lower level of education. To underscore that point, people aged 21 to 30 without a university degree have consistently higher unemployment rates. Graduates also have the lion’s share of skilled jobs.

The choice of university is relevant as well: graduates from top universities earn higher salaries than those from other institutions. You should be aware, though, that the rewards for university study are likely to come later. On average, university undergraduates aged 21 earn a lower gross annual wage than students who opt for apprenticeships. That's because newly graduated university students will have just entered the labour market while their apprenticeship peers have three years of experience.

It all levels out in time, though. Those with apprenticeships earn less than graduates from age 25 onward. According to Labour Force Survey figures, over a 40-year working lifetime, a graduate will earn £415,320 more than those who have not studied for a degree. Net life-cycle earnings are increased by 28 per cent for male graduates, and by 53 per cent for female graduates.

Meet New People

University offers the chance to encounter people of all ages and from different backgrounds. This can broaden your horizons and enlighten you on different habits, customs and ways of thinking. University offers the unique opportunity to meet people from other countries and to immerse yourself in their culture and traditions.

Four people in hiking gear and wearing backpacks stand next to a mountain peak, laughing and embracing each other.
You could find yourself making a large group of new friends. Photo by Felix Rostig on Unsplash

Living in a dorm means you'll likely share your accommodation building with hundreds of students. Five or six of you will probably live in the same block and share cooking facilities and social spaces. Even if you enter a house share, you'll find yourself surrounded by an eclectic mixture of personalities all living under one roof.

This means that any time you use the kitchen or want to hang out in the TV room, you can get to know your housemates. You might form close bonds thanks to all being thrown into the same situation. You just wait until you become a part of such a family and go around meeting each other's parents and siblings.

University friends are often friends for life because you are at a more mature stage when you forge those bonds. You will appreciate others for who they are, whether they are like you or completely different. Some people also, through sharing similar interests and experiences, meet their life partners at university. So be prepared to see your life change for the good if you head off to uni.

The value of Independence and Trust

University can boost your confidence in your own abilities, especially if you opt for an institution far from your hometown. Tasks like cooking, cleaning and shopping are great teachers of skills like time management and budgeting. No matter how many tins of baked beans you pack for your first semester, you'll eventually run out. Especially if you embrace student life and come home from clubbing at 2 am to raid the cupboards.

University living forces you to learn how to fend for yourself. No student has an endless budget to eat out so you'll often find yourself learning the basics of cooking, while also showing more of an interest in household tasks. Perhaps you and your flat-mates might even establish a cleaning rota. Or maybe one of you will take on the 'parenting role' and love to cook for your friends?

Moving away from home for the first time also teaches you to establish your own limits. You'll suddenly see the wisdom of curfews, visits which are or aren’t allowed to your home, etc.. Being independent encourages you to be responsible with your freedom.

One of the greatest things about living away from home but still being surrounded by people you rely on teaches you to look out for them, too. Learning to be independent also means being charitable and kind, and remembering to be mindful of your peers in the absence of the family unit.

Finding New Interests

University offers such a wide range of activities, opportunities and incentives that you will be hard-pressed to keep your choice of extra-curricular activities to a minimum. You might hone your writing skills by joining the editorial staff of the student newspaper or signing up for a film club or equal opportunities group. At university, you will find a range of student-driven entertainment like poetry readings in cafes, or groups to visit nearby attractions with.

You can also find a heap of paid student jobs like bartending, food serving or assisting at your local bookshop. These may not be jobs for life but they certainly give you an insight into the life of work. They will also teach you time management and other aspects of the business you are interested in.

Getting a job can be a harmless way of meeting new people, having fun and earning some much-needed cash to fund your new lifestyle provided it does not interfere with your learning. University is as much about discovering yourself and others as it is about obtaining a degree. Make the most of this unique opportunity and aim to have fun while you learn.

University Can Teach You About Entrepreneurship

The Quality Assurance Agency report for UK Higher Education Providers highlights the important role good Universities can play. Not just in creating experts in specialist fields, but also in instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in students. After all, if students invest time and money in education, they should develop the skills needed to make the most of their degrees. For instance, being aware of your capacity to manage and exploit your intellectual assets allows you to consider self-employment or establishing a start-up business.

When you sign up for University, don't forget to check out all the resources available to students in terms of careers. You may even consider setting up a home tutoring business after graduation. Most universities offer career advice and counselling which can be invaluable to helping you set your professional goals at a very crucial time in your life.

A Positive Outlook

Opting for a University education seems to have positive effects on one’s mental and physical well-being, too. A study commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has found that graduates are less likely to suffer from depression, obesity or an addiction to smoking. They are also more likely to vote, play a greater role in their children's education and enjoy a higher sense of well-being.

A study carried out in the USA has found that graduates with a bachelor’s degree have a life expectancy of almost nine years longer than those who have not obtained a high school diploma. Graduates also tend to be more integrated into their respective communities. They get involved in volunteering and other pursuits which are beneficial to society at large.

You may have heard stories about students missing home or abusing their newfound freedom but that's just surface noise. Remember that the majority of university students thrive whilst studying for their degree and planning their next step towards achieving their life goals. And if you choose a positive mental attitude, you'll also adopt a positive mental attitude.

Another great tip for taking care of your well-being at university is to attend mindfulness or meditation classes. These can help relieve any stress or negative feelings. With much more emphasis on the importance of student mental health these days, it won't be hard to find a suitable escape from the world of books.

The Cons Of Starting University

After all of those positive benefits, it is hard to imagine that there's anything bad about starting university. However, we are not denying that university isn't always the best option. Here are some points to consider which might not offer the same positive outlook on attending university.

A person wearing a blue button-down shirt sits at a table with a white surface, counting coins into three stacks.
University is expensive - can you afford it? Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Irrelevance to Your Future Career

If your chosen job does not require university training, a three- or four-year stint at University may be a waste of time. Not just precious time for gaining suitable experience, but also money, which we'll talk about in a moment.

Your dream job may not require a degree or be helped by having a supporting relevant degree. In such cases, it isn't worth setting aside all that time and money just because your friends did. Your mates will have their own reasons for attending university, probably to do with getting where they want to be in life. It is important for you to make an independent decision about your situation and your future.

Recruiters won't be impressed with your degree if it has nothing to do with the work you're applying for. So you could end up being in the same category as those heading straight into employment with only A Levels under the belt. Actually, you'd be worse off because of the time and money you spent. You may find yourself having to supplement your income with home tutoring or other part-time work.

Gaining a degree doesn't necessarily make you employable but making wise choices does. Prospective employers want to see that you understand the business world. Two years of being an intern or junior could give you quicker entry into some professions than a university degree.

The Expense

The thought of graduating with £2,7000 of student debt can discourage many from pursuing tertiary education. BBC News recently reported that the rise in fees had led to a 17 per cent drop in UK undergraduate enrolment. The case is especially grim for part-time students, who are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, to begin with. They may find the fees simply too high.

Another point to consider is whether gaining this expensive qualification will yield the expected rewards and pay itself off in future. For example, if the profession you want to be in pays poorly, is the cost worth it if you'll be paying off your debt over a long period to come? You'll have to start paying back your loan when you hit a specific income threshold, so be sure that your lifestyle will support this following on from university.

Conclusion: Is It Worth Going To University?

Clearly, there are more pros to going to university than there are cons, but it is also evident that every reason for or against enrolling is completely personal to you. There may be opportunities to make new friends but you might have social anxiety and find this too much to handle. You might find the initial expense horrifying but wind up being a successful entrepreneur owning a multi-million-pound business and easily paying your debt off.

You have so many factors to consider and only YOU can decide what is best for you. Of course, you should solicit feedback from family, career advisors and teachers. But do not allow yourself to settle on a decision that you aren't 100% comfortable with. It is normal to feel nervous when starting a new chapter, whether it is to move away for your degree or to start your career.

Only you can know when you have made the best decision for you. You should embrace only the educational activities and initiatives that will serve you well. I hope that you have found this blog post useful, and possibly provided some food for thought in your decision whether to go to University.

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Jon

As an Englishman in Paris, I enjoy growing my knowledge of other languages and cultures. I'm interested in History, Economics, and Sociology and believe in the importance of continuous learning.