One in three say going to university is a waste of time and money
It has traditionally been seen as the best route to a well-paid and successful career. But now nearly a third of people think a university education is a waste of time and money.
Researchers found the public has become increasingly sceptical about the cost associated with gaining a degree.
In a poll, 31 per cent agreed university education was not worth the time and money.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The figure has leapt from 18 per cent in 2018.
There has also been a fall in the number of parents of children aged 11 to 17 who said it was likely they will apply to university or already have.
The figure was 65 per cent a decade ago but is now 59 per cent, said the Policy Institute at King’s College London after quizzing 3,600 Britons. The study also found that more than three-quarters of people want more opportunities for apprenticeships.
Nearly half (48 per cent) said they would prefer their child to study these courses while 40 per cent said they would prefer them to do a degree.
The survey comes as universities grapple with a funding crisis as annual tuition fees have been frozen for domestic students while the number of overseas candidates falls.
Vice chancellors want ministers to increase fees for home students which have been fixed at £9,250 since 2017.
Professor Bobby Duffy, of the Policy Institute, said there were ‘clear tensions’ around perceived value for money.
He added: “People are more likely to disagree than agree that degrees are good value compared to a decade ago.
“This is based on some knowledge, as the public are pretty accurate in how much debt a student typically runs up.”
Universities UK said: “Vocational training and degrees are complementary.”
He added many university courses are linked to the needs of employers, such as to careers in health and teaching.
A Department for Education spokesman said the Office for Students has been refocused to “prioritise the financial stability of higher education and deliver better quality and outcomes for students”.
