1 Caller 1

University education should remain free so that everyone can benefit from
it.
The cost of university education nowadays is greater than its value.
She attributes her success in her career to her university education.
In her experience, going to university was a mistake which she regrets.

2 Caller 2

University gives intelligent people the opportunity to prove their worth above
others.
University is only suitable for intelligent people, as only they can engage fully
in debates.
University provides opportunities to delve deeply into a subject with peers
and experts.
University gives you excellent study skills which will help you in your
career.

3 Caller 3

Apprenticeships and college courses should be valued as highly as university

degrees.
University provides little in the way of practical skills and financial
security.
Young people choose university because apprenticeships are no longer
available.
Attending university would have allowed him to progress further in his
career.

4 Caller 4

A university education improves your career chances and broadens your

horizons.
In many parts of the world, a degree is a necessary pre-requisite in finding a
decent jo
University gives you the chance to meet interesting people who might offer
you a jo
University allows young people to leave their home towns, but live in a safe
environment.

5 Caller 5

University is only available to the privileged, and that is unfair to poorer

members of society.
Too many people are going to university these days -not everyone can be a
professional.
University education has given us politicians and inventors who have made
this country great.
The insight that professionals developed when they were at university affects
the whole society.
Score: 0/0
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Radio presenter:
This is Duncan Braithwaite with the Ethics Hour. So, university fees have risen
again, and many people assume that this will mean a drop in student numbers.
But surprisingly, some might say, applicant numbers are in fact rising - an ever-
increasing number of school-leavers is valuing the importance of a university
education. That means that a huge proportion of young people will start their
professional lives in debts mounting to twenty or thirty thousand pounds, which
begs the question, is a university education really worth it? Were inviting you to
call in and give us your views. And we have our first caller on the line now.
Debbie Rush - what are your views on a university education?
Caller1
Well, I got a degree back when university education was free, and I have to say
that, although I had a great time and all that, I dont think it benefitted me in my
career in the slightest, I mean so few of us actually end up in a job that utilises
the facts that we pick up in education, and in hindsight, I think I dont
think I would have well I wouldnt recommend university to a young person as a
great way to start off in life these days - it will get them into too much debt and it
just isnt worth the the investment. I mean, its great. Dont get me wrong, I had
a wonderful time and I learned all sorts of life lessons, and I made lots of
mistakes, and I learned from it, and I wouldnt trade that experience in for the
world, but in the long run, I dont think that it really benefits you, career-wise
that is.
Presenter
Thank you, Debbie, for your thoughts. I have to say, Ive heard a number of my
own friends voicing similar views. Lets listen to caller 2 - thats Josie Crane.
Josie?
Caller 2
Well, I also studied a few years ago, and granted, I didnt have to fork out the sort
of money that students these days have to, but I would never suggest that
someone someone who is intelligent and has the aptitude for university study -
I would never recommend that they stay away, because because university
offers so much. I mean, its not just about the lectures and the seminars and the
study skills, its also about meeting like-minded people - not just students, but
people who are real authorities on the subject, and having debates and
discussions late into the night and really exploring something that interests you.
Its the only chance you ever get to do that. Once you start a career, that there
are no more opportunities for that sort of thing, unless you can make it happen.
So yes, higher education gets my vote every time.
Presenter
Positive words from Josie there. Lets hear from caller 3, Paul Weston. Paul?
Caller 3
Well, I dont know about university, but I left school at 16, got an apprenticeship
with a local building firm, and picked up some skills along the way, and then,
when I was. When I was in my early twenties, I did a course, a part-time course at
the local techie, you know. And I paid for it myself, out of my earnings. And I
never got into debt like the kids do nowadays, and I bought my own house when I
was 23. And I tell you, I see some kids who have been to university, and done
postgraduates courses too, got MScs and PhDs coming out of their their ears,
but get them to wire a plug and they havent a clue. I think you learn just as
much and you get a lot more more nous from from just getting on with it. I
mean universitys supposed to prepare you for life, innit? But nothing prepares
you more than just getting a job and doing it.
Presenter
An interesting response from Paul Weston there. Caller 4, er - Amanda Prior -
whats your opinion on the subject?
Caller 4
Well, I understand what people are saying, about how university doesnt always
give you the useful facts that you need in everyday life, or the skills for a
particular jo But it well, I think it opens up opportunities. Not just in jobs,
because, whether you like it or not, some jobs just are only open to graduates,
and HR departments who get a huge pile of application forms for a job, well
theyre not even going to give someone a look-in if they dont have a degree, if
if thats their pre-requisite, I mean. But its not just that. I think university
opens up the world to you, because, you you stop thinking like a member of
your little neighbourhood, or your corner of your town or city, and you become
more worldly, and you meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and they
influence you, and I think they just make you a more fully-rounded person. And
some people say, well, your university of life gives you as good an education as
any real university - but I dont think it does, actually.
Presenter
Thank you, Amand And I think we have time for just one caller before we play
some musi Caller 5, thats Ralph Jordan. What would you like to say?
Caller 5
Well, personally I dont know what everyone is talking about here. Education isnt
just about getting a job, university isnt a job training workshop. Uni...
We have, we are privileged to have, in this country, and in other countries too of
course, a long and rich academic culture, and this culture has brought us
a wealth of great minds - not just - Im not just talking about the famous inventors
and politicians among the university alumni, the ones they like to boast about on
their prospectuses, but also the managers, the teachers, judges, lawyers,
executives, everyday people, but everyday people who have been able to use their
experience and learning and understanding to the benefit of others. And to ask
the question is it worth it? Well, that seems to just demean the whole process
really, if you understand me. And if you cant see the value of a university
education, then maybe you shouldnt be going anyway.
Presenter
Thank you Ralph. Well, its already turning into a fascinating debate. Well hear
more views on this topic, after this.