Is going to university still commensurate?

Wednesday 13 August 2025 10:15
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Wednesday 13 August 2025 10:16

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When A-Level students are preparing to open their results, now is the time to ask again: Is the university even commensurate again? We put two head to head experts in this week’s debate

Yes: The title is the most certain route to success, because it makes so many options open

Yes. If you want to become a pharmacist, teacher, nurse, architect, doctor, engineer or civil servant, you usually need a degree. Actually, because a few of us want our children to be taught by people who do not have formal education since the age of 18. Research from all over the world shows that patients are safer in hospitals where nurses have titles.

On average, graduates produce more and tend not to be unemployed, even in the depth of the recession. They are more likely to choose, involved in charity and even live longer.

Does that mean everyone must go to university immediately after finishing school? No. Even the most powerful supporters of our world -class university, like me, do not think 100 percent of young people must immediately get a degree. Some people have enough formal education at the age of 18 and some want to see the world while others need time to decide what they want to do next.

There is more than one route to a successful and satisfying career. But the title remains the most certain route towards success, because it makes so many options open. In addition, the path considered by people as an alternative for higher education is often nothing like that.

Title internships, for example, are only different routes for the same purpose: university level qualifications that allow you to continue to live.

So for everyone to get their test results, I say it is done well to get this far and good luck with the next stage. Choose your own route carefully and take what is said by all university skeptics with a little salt!

Nick Hillman is the Director of the Institute of Higher Education Policy

No: three years from the world of work, squeezing debt, not commensurate with many careers

The university is no longer a gold ticket like before, and young people know it. At Young Professionals, we have worked with more than 500,000 students throughout Britain and more than before, they told us that they did not want to go to university. We are constantly listening to ambitious 16-18 years old children tell us that they want to miss three years of college, debt £ 50,000+ and instead began to build their career now.

The reality is that the university is no longer the only one or even the best route towards success for many people. Entrepreneurs are increasingly open to employ directly from schools, offering degree interns, paid training programs and fast route routes are skilled roles. This pathway allows young people to get from the first day, get a headstart about practical experience and progress quickly, while also providing direct access to the industrial network. In our experience, this role often pays more than postgraduate salaries in a few years, without the burden of student loans.

This generation has grown with more access to information than those in front of them, and they have weighed profits for investment and concluded that three years out of the workforce, squeezing debt, not commensurate with many careers.

That does not mean that the university has no place; Some students may really like to learn traditional ways. But for more and more industries, practical experience, adaptability and soft skills more than a bachelor’s degree.

I took the route that was not orthodox to start my business at the age of 17, and I believe that we must celebrate and expand this alternative route, do not hold fast to the outdated ideas that the university is the only way to progress.

Daniel Miller is a young professional CEO

Decision

When the results of the day rolled again, as well as the annual media debate asking: Are the universities even commensurate again? And AM City no exception.

In the corner, Mr. Hillman took the university skepticism with desires, with the case proposed not only for the economic benefits of a bachelor’s degree, but also a civilian. The argument is that the title internship is under the same umbrella as university qualifications, however, feels more technical. As described by Mr. Miller, there is an important difference, there is no student debt, which is very important to assess the university’s grades.

So let’s value. According to the new report, led by David Willetts, young graduates are re -established around £ 50 per month in payment of student loans. However, most importantly, they also produce an average of £ 5,000 more than non-group.

With research showing higher education also leads to better physical and mental health, even though three years VK and a little sleep, it feels very valuable.