Is University Worth The Cost? | Good Morning Britain

Summary

In this discussion, the value of a university education is debated in light of new research showing UK businesses favoring job candidates with skills over degrees. University student Evie Crossland argues for the coming-of-age experience and networking opportunities, while Kevin Osei, who switched courses and now runs a charity, highlights the importance of alternative paths like apprenticeships and gap years. Both agree on the necessity of skills and experiences beyond the academic degree, but differ on the role of university in providing those.

Takeaways

• 📚 New research indicates that UK businesses are increasingly valuing job candidates with practical skills over those with a university degree.
• 🎓 The debate is whether the emphasis on university education should shift towards alternative pathways like apprenticeships.
• 👨‍🎓 Kevin Osei, a university graduate, shares his experience of changing courses and ultimately pursuing a career in charity work rather than banking and finance.
• 🔄 Kevin highlights the importance of exploring various opportunities outside of traditional university education, such as apprenticeships and gap years.
• 👩‍🎓 Evie Crossland argues that university offers a coming-of-age experience and a chance to explore different fields beyond the academic degree.
• 🤔 The discussion raises concerns about the value of a university degree in the job market and the potential for a two-tier system favoring those with access to higher education.
• 💼 There is a noted gap between the skills taught at university and the skills employers are looking for, suggesting a need for more practical, employability-focused education.
• 🧳 The benefits of a university education extend beyond academics, including networking opportunities and personal development.
• 💰 The financial burden of university education, including student loans and debt, is a significant concern for many graduates.
• 📉 Despite obtaining degrees, a significant number of graduates feel unprepared and lack confidence in entering the workforce.
• 📊 A Twitter poll shows a majority (78%) believe that university education is worth the cost, while a minority (22%) do not.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of discussion is whether a university education is still as valuable as it once was, considering that UK businesses are prioritizing job candidates with skills over those with degrees, and the potential benefits of alternative pathways like apprenticeships.

What was Kevin's initial academic path at university?

Kevin initially studied accounting and finance with the intention of going into the banking and finance industry.

Why did Kevin change his major from accounting and finance to politics and international relations?

Kevin changed his major after realizing he did not enjoy the banking and finance route and failed his first year twice. He then switched to politics and international relations.

What is Kevin currently working on full-time after graduating?

Kevin is currently working on his charity full-time, which supports and mentors young people.

What does Evie believe university offers besides an academic degree?

Evie believes that university offers a variety of different avenues and opportunities to dabble in different fields, as well as being a place for networking and personal growth.

What is the concern about the potential two-tier system in education as discussed by Kevin?

The concern is that by de-emphasizing the importance of a university education, a two-tier system may be created where only the wealthy or those with certain backgrounds are more likely to attend university and access certain jobs.

What is the statistic mentioned by Kevin regarding young people's confidence in entering the workforce after graduating?

Kevin mentions that 45% of young people do not feel confident entering the workforce after graduating.

What percentage of recruiters feel that recent graduates lack the necessary skills for employment?

80% of recruiters feel that recent graduates do not have the skills they need to land a role in their job of interest.

What is Evie's perspective on the importance of using university opportunities to prepare for various career paths?

Evie believes that it is crucial to use the opportunities university offers to gain skills and experiences that allow for choice and exploration of different fields upon graduation.

What is the Twitter poll question and what were the results?

The Twitter poll asked if university is worth the cost. The results showed that 78% of respondents believed it was worth the cost, while 22% did not.

What is the financial concern raised by the participants regarding university education?

The financial concern raised is the significant debt students may incur from university education and the uncertainty of being able to earn enough to repay it, especially for middle-income earners.