According to a BBC report, more than 10% of UK A level students will be definitely put off going to university because of the cost of tuition fees.
The debts involved in the maximum annual fees of the future (£9k a year) are just too much for some.
Plus, many don’t have the confidence that getting a job will be easy even if they do have a degree. They know that higher education will improve their job prospects overall, but that doesn’t mean that graduates can just walk into employment when they leave uni any more.
Is uni right for you? Or is doing something else better? Lets explore options to help you decide.
Firstly, Maybe Don’t Let the Cost Put You Off
The important thing to do is to make sure that going to uni is what you really need or want to do. The money issue is going to be unavoidable for most students but you may not even want to worry about it for now.
After all, students in the US have been leaving college with massive debts for decades; it’s just a new system for us. It’s not ideal, but it might be the only way you can get where you want to be in life.
But if going to university is something you are undecided about, there are lots of other options and now we will provide a run down of some of the most popular things to do.
Lower Your Expectations
You could look at unis that offer lower tuition fees and knock out your first choices if they charge the maximum.
Private unis and The Open University may be worth looking at as they have set their fees lower. The BPP group and the OU, for example, are projecting charging £5,000 a year for full-time courses. Remember that you have to weigh up the value of a degree and a uni before making this decision. Saving money on fees is one thing; lowering your long-term career prospects is not such a good idea. Where you study and what you study matters.
We recently write an article about the pros and cons of online degrees which you should check out. One of the benefits of studying at The Open University is you can live at home rather than attending a university that is miles away. This might not lower your fees, but living with your parents could lower your living costs and reduce your debts overall making it one of the best ways to save money as a student.
Think Outside the Box
If the cost of uni is putting you off you could defray your expenses and get cheaper tuition by studying part-time.
If you can work as well, this will help you borrow less and contribute to your costs on an immediate rather than a deferred basis. Again, think hard about doing this – you could lose out on the social elements of college life and it’ll take you longer to get through uni.
You could also try for scholarships and financial aid packages. You may be eligible for additional help with your fees and costs so do make sure to check this out. If you don’t qualify on a financial basis, look at scholarships and bursaries – someone has to win them!
Study Abroad
Just under half of the students participating here would think about studying abroad if that was cheaper. A lot of European universities and colleges charge way less than UK institutions and run accredited and highly respected courses in English. These numbers are likely to rise rather than fall if UK students start voting with their passports and take their money to other countries.
Apprenticeships
Are you open to doing something different? Some students (two-thirds according to this report) said that they would look at alternatives to degrees like apprenticeships. This may suit you better if your chosen career offers this option. Popular industries where higher apprenticeships are available include accounting, banking, construction, engineering, marketing and media.
Gap Year
We’re massive fans of gap years, and believe it’s something everyone should consider. Taking time out to travel, explore the world, do fun things like tours, scuba diving or volunteering can provide you with the best memories of your life. Maybe if you really aren’t sure uni is right for you at the moment, taking time out to go backpacking and assess what’s right for you going forward can be the perfect option. If you are worried about financing a trip view our tips how to save money for travel.
Start Working
Keen to start earning money or get on the career ladder? There are lots of jobs which don’t require a uni degree, and some are really high paying. If you lack experience you could consider internships, traineeships entry-level jobs. For something fun, apply to work at a summer camp in the US.
There are lots of jobs abroad available, or even online jobs for students which provide flexibility to work from anywhere. Teaching English abroad is another popular avenue to explore, you can live abroad, integrate into other cultures and get a high salary in places like Asia and the Middle East.
Start Your Own Business
You could also try to be an entrepreneur, think of an idea and start your own business. There are so many benefits of being your own boss, and although making a start can be difficult, so many people start and operate successful businesses every year.
Hopefully our guide has given you some suggestions for things you can do in life other than going to uni. Only you can really make this decision, just make sure you consider all options carefully and make the right choice for you.