Looking at everything that graduates are facing at the moment, many are asking the question: Is it really worth going to university?

Reading recent news about graduates, people about to start uni must be a little worried about their prospects.
Recent coverage reads like a charter of misery for graduates:

• New stats from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) revealed there are 83 people applying for every graduate job.

• When redundancies come, guess who is first in the firing line? Yeah, graduates. One in ten businesses plan to get rid of young workers first says a Ethical Skills & Training Survey.

• Many graduate employers are now considering hiring people without degrees! 71% of small businesses have started, or expect to start considering school leavers for roles that usually go to university graduates according to research from talent agency SHL.

• Massive debts mean that four in ten graduates are putting their life on hold. Many put off starting a family and getting married because of student debt according to price comparison site uSwitch.

With huge competition for jobs, spiralling debt and new jobs looking to go to those without a degree it is possibly worth considering is going to university is the right thing to do.

1. Mary White - July 1, 2011 at 2:46 pm

   I am just graduating and am really worried about all this. I am in debt already and there are no jobs. It's really bad if companies will offer jobs to kids after GCSE – why do we bother going to uni if people without a uni degree will get given jobs while we struggle?

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2. Phillip Anyetei - August 10, 2011 at 7:08 pm

   People say to me that entering higher education is a sacrifice. "Suffer now and enjoy later". That saying is over-rated. Some of them are lucky to secure jobs whereas others are still struggling throughout even 3 years. I wanted to go to university to better myself and improve my career prospects. I even considered of entering self – employment which I believe is a reasonable option. However its about finding the right people who are willing to help me reach my potential. More importantly who is willing to have access to your service, who is willing to buy my service, invest in my company etc. Looks like I am sitting duck :'(!!!

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3. Owen Glendour - August 11, 2011 at 9:01 am

   I am not sure who says that: "entering higher education is a sacrifice. "Suffer now and enjoy later"". It was the best time of my life. Meeting new friends, new experiences, developing social skills and I guess learning about life. Before I went to university I had no idea what profession I wanted to pursue (which might be why I studied for a geography degree), three years at university introduced me to what was out there.

   There are so many opportunities above and beyond your degree subject to get involved with such as clubs, societies enterprise and exchange programes that add experience, enhance personal development and open new doors and opportunities. For that alone university is worth the investment.

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4. Phillip Anyetei - February 3, 2012 at 2:45 am

   I meant education is a sacrifice in financial terms rather than social as we have live as poor students and for me getting a part-time was difficult. However, obtaining a university degree is worth it in the long run along with the baggage of skills and knowledge which'll expand throughout our lives!

   Reply