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.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 University Education vs. Skills and Apprenticeships

The first paragraph of the script discusses the traditional emphasis on university education and how it's being challenged by the growing recognition of skills over degrees by UK businesses. It features a debate between Evie Crossland, a university student who believes in the value of the university experience for personal growth, and Kevin Osei, who argues that apprenticeships and alternative routes provide more focused skill development. Kevin shares his personal journey of changing courses and failing before finding his passion in charity work, while Evie emphasizes the opportunities for exploration and networking that university provides.

05:02

💼 The Value of University in the Job Market

The second paragraph delves into the practical aspects of university education in relation to employability. It highlights the concerns about the high unemployment rate among graduates and the mismatch between the skills taught at university and those demanded by employers. Kevin points out that many organizations now prefer apprentices due to their practical skills, while Evie discusses the importance of using university opportunities to explore different fields and gain a variety of experiences. The conversation touches on the financial burden of university education and the potential for creating a two-tier system, with a focus on the need to reassess the value and structure of degrees in light of changing employment landscapes.

Keywords

💡A Level

A Level refers to the 'Advanced Level' General Certificate of Education, which is a qualification offered in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for students typically aged 16 to 18. It is a significant stepping stone for students as it often determines their eligibility for university admission. In the script, A Level is mentioned in the context of students receiving their grades, which are crucial for their university prospects.

💡T Level

T Level is a new type of qualification in England that provides students with technical skills and knowledge in specific occupational areas, such as digital, construction, or health and science. It is designed to be equivalent to A Levels and is part of the debate on alternative pathways to university education. The script discusses T Level in the context of the changing landscape of education and employment.

💡B-Tech

B-Tech, or Bachelor of Technology, is an undergraduate degree focused on technology and applied sciences. It is mentioned in the script to highlight the variety of educational qualifications students can pursue, and how these may be perceived differently by employers compared to traditional degrees.

💡University Education

University education typically refers to academic study at higher education institutions that leads to a degree. The script questions the emphasis on university education, suggesting that it may not be the best path for all students, given the changing priorities of employers who are seeking specific skills over degrees.

💡Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are structured programs combining on-the-job training with theoretical learning, allowing individuals to gain practical skills and qualifications in a profession. The script suggests that apprenticeships may be more beneficial for some students as they provide a focused skill set and direct industry experience.

💡Skills

Skills in this context refer to the abilities and knowledge that an individual possesses to perform specific tasks or jobs. The script discusses how UK businesses are prioritizing candidates with relevant skills over those with degrees, indicating a shift in the job market towards practical competencies.

💡Employability

Employability encompasses the set of qualities and capabilities that make a person more likely to secure and maintain employment. The script touches on the concern that university graduates may lack certain employability skills, which are essential for securing jobs in their field of interest.

💡Gap Year

A gap year is a year taken by students between high school and university or between academic stages to travel, work, or pursue other interests. The script mentions gap years as a valuable option for students to gain experience and clarity about their future direction, although it also acknowledges the financial barriers for some.

💡Soft Skills

Soft skills are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. The script points out that universities may not sufficiently teach these skills, which are increasingly sought after by employers and are crucial for job success.

💡Networking

Networking refers to the development of professional relationships and connections. The script highlights the networking opportunities available at university, which can be beneficial for students' future careers, regardless of the specific institution they attend.

💡Student Debt

Student debt is the money owed by students who have taken out loans to pay for their education. The script discusses the financial implications of university education, with some individuals questioning whether the benefits outweigh the potential debt burden.

Highlights

Thousands of A-level, T-level, and B-tech students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are receiving their grades, which may determine university placements.

UK businesses are prioritizing job candidates with skills over graduates with degrees, indicating a shift in the value of education versus practical skills.

The debate raises the question of whether the emphasis on university education should be reduced in favor of apprenticeships and skill development.

Kevin Osei, a university graduate, discusses his experience of changing courses and failing, suggesting that university isn't always the best path.

Evie Crossland argues that university is a coming-of-age experience that offers more than just academic learning.

Kevin emphasizes the importance of alternative paths like apprenticeships and gap years for skill development and self-discovery.

Evie points out that university offers opportunities to explore different fields and gain diverse experiences.

Kevin discusses the value of networking and the development of employability skills at university.

Evie acknowledges the uncertainty of employment post-graduation but emphasizes the importance of utilizing university opportunities.

Kevin highlights the disconnect between university education and the skills demanded by employers.

Both participants agree that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education and career paths.

Kevin expresses concern about creating a two-tier system where only the wealthy can access university education.

The discussion touches on the high unemployment rate among graduates and the challenges of finding employment post-graduation.

Evie acknowledges the financial burden of university education and the uncertainty of recouping the investment.

The conversation suggests that the value of a university degree may be diminishing in the job market.

The Twitter poll shows a majority认为 university education is worth the cost, reflecting ongoing debate on the value of higher education.

Transcripts

now thousands of a level T level and

b-tech students in England Wales and

Northern Ireland will be receiving their

grades this morning for some these

results will determine their place at

University but new researchers found

that UK businesses are prioritizing job

candidates with skills rather than

graduates with a degree that's happening

an increasing number of cases so is it

time to stop emphasizing the importance

of a university education and focus on

things like apprenticeships instead

joining us now is University student

Evie Crossland who says University is a

coming-of-age experience and Kevin osei

who says those who do apprenticeships

are more skilled and focused uh let's

come to you first uh Kevin on this

you've got a degree yourself at

University yes yes I I do uh so I was at

University of five years right from 2017

to 2022

um and I started off studying

accountable and finance used to want to

go down the banking and finance route uh

of course that I didn't actually enjoy

or want to actually show felt like I had

to do to go down that industry yeah I

ended up failing my first year of

University then I repeated the year on

the same course okay and failed again

right and then when I saw the second

time I changed courses to politics and

international relations but at that

point I realized that I don't actually

want to go down the bank route anymore

right for me at that point I didn't want

to go to university anymore but for me

what was driving me was making my

parents proud and watching someone and

Dad I love you both but um so yeah I

ended up doing politics and

international relations graduated last

year over T1 and since then I've been

working on my charity full-time which

supports so so yeah so you're charity

mentors young people yeah you're

speaking to young people all the time

but yeah why why is it that you say that

apprenticeships give them more Focus

because you know even at University okay

you might not be out there some of them

do actually go and do a year out I did a

year out in my uni so you will get some

experience yeah but why would you be

more focused in an apprenticeship rather

than perhaps when you're at University

yeah I mean for me right it's not

necessarily just the apprenticeship is

the fact that there are a load of

different other avenues that young

people can go down other than University

so for example when you leave sixth form

or college you can take a gap year which

for a lot of young people is really

really valuable it gives them that

chance to figure out what it is that

they want everyone can afford that

though when I think a gap year what's

you know what is it like now with you

know with young people when I think a

gap year I mean at my school or you know

it was it was the wealthier families

that were able to go to get you know I'm

gonna go traveling across Europe I can't

afford to do that yeah certainly taking

Gap year to travel it's more so to get

some experience right you know whether

that's working part-time in retail or

wherever it might be taking some time to

maybe investing yourself for example uh

educational courses online courses to

build your skills because you know

that's one thing that employers look for

nowadays I think it's clear to say that

you know University degrees don't hold

as much value as they once did okay yeah

let's do it well so you're making the

point that you know there are other

avenues don't automatically go down that

road easy for you at University you

wanted to go to why do you think it is

important well I think I want to preface

just by saying that it is not a

one-size-fits-all situation and you know

for me personally I knew that I didn't

want to just leave sixth form and go

straight into employment I wanted to go

down the academic route always and I

think that what university really offers

is even though you're pursuing an

academic degree you can still have those

variety of different Avenues of

different fields for example

um I do an English and Philosophy degree

yeah I'm also so a part of the business

and consultancy groups at my University

so it's a university really does offer

those opportunities to also dabble in

different fields this notion that you

know you're only pursuing your degree

and that's it I think is false you can

have those opportunities irrespectively

that's absolutely right isn't it because

you know I I felt my first year at Uni

and what I realized is that when you go

to university you get like 15 hours a

week timetable yeah that's where you

need to beat your lectures what are you

going to do with the rest of your time

and I think my first year like a lot of

people probably parted too much went out

too much but then I realized actually I

can do what I got involved in societies

I actually started DJing and you do

start to really live a life I think and

become more of a rounded person with

lots of experiences it really is just

about being proactive at University it's

about you know taking the ball by the

horns and thinking no I'm not just going

to pursue you know University just for

the degree to come up with the two on

the first whatever I'm going to pursue

it because I want to network it's one of

the best networking places irrespective

of what university you go to do they're

always going to use I mean granted you

know the Russell groups and the Oxbridge

they will you know those networking

opportunities are going to be you know

there in Greater quantities but

nonetheless you can still take those

opportunities at University respective

you're in your final year though

doing what you're doing what you're

doing are you worried though that

there's no guarantee of a job at the end

of it or do you or are you confident

that you know what I know exactly where

I can go and where they go no I'm not

I'm not there is not there is not that

I'm never going to have that certainty

of yes I want to pursue this and I will

definitely get this but I don't think

that's what matters because what matters

is using those opportunities the

university has to offer and using them

as using as many as I possibly can so

that you know I'm in the position that

when I leave University

I can explore different fields or I can

reject a certain field because you know

I realize that's maybe something I don't

want to do it's about gaining those

skills throughout University so that

you're in the position where you can

choose it's about Choice when you leave

well Kevin from your point of view then

when you know Evie's talking about it

there is almost like a transition phase

isn't it the opportunities it gives you

it's not just about the academic side of

things but there are a lot of other

things that go alongside that yeah isn't

that don't you miss that if you yeah so

I mean I think what we're talking about

is University let's talk about when it

comes to trying to access employment in

the field you want to get into now

there's a stat around how 45 of young

people don't feel confident entering the

workforce after graduating and around 80

of recruiters feel like recent graduates

don't have the skills that they need to

be able to you know land a role in their

job of interest and I think that's

really important to understand that

University for many students including

myself though I was a part of societies

They Don't Really teach you the skills

that you need those core employability

and soft skills that employers look for

and for for in terms of the work that I

do working with a lot of organizations

and corporates a lot of them are now

demanding for more apprentices applying

for for opportunities because actually

they're realizing that degrees aren't as

valuable as they once were I do worry

though you know we were saying it's not

fair that you know if you think about

the degrees such as you know medicine a

law degree you know you have to go to

university to become a lawyer to become

a doctor to become an engineer these

days and I worry that we might create a

two-tier system here by saying well

actually for some of you don't worry

about going to University because we

know that the wealthy of us the the

middle class families those that are

siblings have been to University we were

more likely to go to university what we

should be doing is saying exactly the

opposite to everyone else who thinks

that University is not for them that we

are going to help you get through

University and get some of the most

important jobs in this country yeah but

then you know after graduating from

University I mean the unemploymentary

amongst graduates is really really high

and it keeps progressing and progressing

and there's a reasonable behind you know

people are graduating and still not able

to access employment that's part of the

reason why I started the work that I do

I had a lot of friends who graduated and

were struggling to get jobs and you know

it's much more than getting a degree

that's not enough yeah maybe we need to

look at the degrees themselves they're

getting it's interesting lots of people

getting in touch Paul says I left uni

with massive debts back in 2000 I

enjoyed every minute earned a great

degree made friends the cost financially

mentally and sometimes physically was

still worth it because a lot of people

who say no it's not worth it are talking

about the costs and even if you

obviously it's a significant cost isn't

it yeah that's the issue yeah you're

confident you'll be able to earn that

back afterwards yes I am I it's one of

those things where

that does cross my mind a lot um I will

be left with a lot of debt at the end of

this it will the thing is I don't also

know what salary I'll be on that is the

thing I don't know what salary I'll be

earning how much I will have to pay back

that is still so open-ended you know if

I'm a high income earner you know

really that those problems are less for

me

um if I'm a low-income earner those

problems also are less of a problem

because I wouldn't have to pay them back

but it is going to hit those middle

income earners you know it's going to

really be a problem for the people that

are earning you know over 25k about 38k

years so yes it is something but I just

know that those opportunities I must

grasped I've got a feeling you're going

to grasp the movie uh Evie thanks for

joining us and Kevin thank you we're

running a Twitter poll we asked you is

University worth for cost let's take a

look at the results 78 of you said it is

worth the cost to get into the

university 22 percent of you said it

wasn't worth it thanks to all of you who

voted thank you both to you thank you