You might assume because we’re called Not Going To Uni that we hate universities and students. Nothing could be further from the truth. We’re just really concerned that university is often pushed as the only option by schools, when we know that so many other exciting alternatives exist.
Every year we hear countless stories in the media about rising and falling university numbers, the escalating cost of tuition fees and the number of graduates struggling to find work. On the other hand we hear of graduates who have been able to land great careers off the back of their studies and qualifications.
This makes it difficult to decide whether university is a good fit for us. We want the qualifications but we don’t want the debt. We want the social experience but we don’t want to move away from home. And are there other ways to get a degree without going to university? These are the kinds of dilemmas which make going to university such a big decision.
If you need some help in making your mind up, here’s a no-nonsense look at going to university.
How Do I Get Into University?
Universities want the best possible candidates to take up the places on the courses they offer, so they look at your qualifications when they are making their decision. Of course, comparing different qualifications is sometimes like comparing apples and oranges, and so each qualification is awarded a set number of points according to their level and the grades you get in them.
These points are called UCAS points, as they are allocated by the University and Colleges Admissions Service. When you apply to university, you do it through UCAS. You will be asked to list your qualifications, certificates and other awards (including their final or projected grades) so that your UCAS points can be tallied.
Your application then goes off to your chosen universities who, if you’re successful, will make you a conditional offer – guaranteeing you a place on your chosen course, so long as you pass your A Levels, NVQs or BTECs at the required level and thus obtain the required number of UCAS points.
If you don’t, you can always apply through clearing, a service which matches up students who didn’t quite meet the course or institution requirements with available courses at other (or the same) institutions.
What Are The Benefits Of A University Education?
Going to university gives you a chance to experience a diverse cultural and social scene, meeting people from all walks of life and developing your social skills. Of course for most people, the more important benefit of going to university is that higher education qualifications can increase your prospects and earning potential for the future, hopefully leading to a more rewarding career. According to government research, graduates earn substantially more than people with fewer or lower-level qualifications like A Levels. Over a lifetime, the figures suggest that a graduate will earn almost £150,000 more over their lifetime than someone without a university education.
What Are The Disadvantages?
To be realistic, there are as many reasons not to go to university as there are to go. It all depends on what you hope to get out of your studies and what the qualifications might mean to you in the long term. First and foremost, a university education is expensive, and the cost of studying for degree has increased significantly in recent years. You can get grants and loans to help you pay for the course upfront, but you will have to pay it back after your studies are done. For example, some research puts the overall cost of getting a degree at around £52,000. This is a real debt that has to be paid back, and the money is taken from your earnings at a rate proportionate to your pay until the debt is repaid. These repayments start only when you start earning over £21,000, and current interest rates mean that you’d be paying £30 a month. Provided you get a graduate-level job this should all work out, but with one in five graduates unemployed, this is by no means guaranteed. However, if you should never find yourself earning above the £21,000 threshold, your debt would be written off after 30 years – but then if you never start earning a decent wage, that would invalidate all the hard work you put into obtaining your degree somewhat, wouldn’t it? Other things to consider are the prospect of moving away from home and being out of the jobs market for at least three years (for most honours degree). And, of course, committing to at least another three years of academic study is a big decision.
What else is there to consider?
Not all university education is the same. For example, sponsored degrees are a way of getting your studies paid and earning a wage by working for the sponsoring company along the way. Think of them as a kind of apprenticeship but with a degree course instead of a work-based qualification like an NVQ. This means graduating with a degree, three years’ experience in your chosen field and (potentially) no debt whatsoever. Your employment prospects may also be brighter, as you may find yourself snapped up by your sponsor who has invested in your training. Remember that a degree isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to qualifications, and there’s certainly no shame in admitting defeat and dropping out of university if you find it’s just not right for you. After all, Mark Zuckerberg – creator of social networking behemoth Facebook - decided that a university degree wasn’t going to be of great benefit to him, dropping out to work on his social networking project instead. Not going to university is definitely the right option for some people, and there are plenty of other options out there to satisfy everyone. There are apprenticeships, distance learning courses, foundation degrees and countless other options, including just getting a job and getting some experience under your belt.
Where can I find out more?
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk – our site gives advice on all of the university options and hints and tips on making the most your uni experience. www.ucas.ac.uk – this is the hub for all university applications and a great place to start to explore all of the varied courses that are on offer. www.prospects.ac.uk – information website which lists the sorts of degrees you’ll need to advance in a range of different careers.
