Should I discourage my kids from going to Uni?

wintersunshine

More and more Unis are saying they are going to charge £9k per year for tution fees. Graduates are likely to end up with £50k worth of debt plus 30 years of interest.

I think I might tell my kids not to bother going to Uni if they are not going to do something that really will help them get a job - nursing, teaching, business studies, etc

Do you think I should encourage them to go to uni even if
1)the course they want to do is a bit rubbish and
2)they haven't bothered putting in enough effort to their A Levels to get them into a good uni.

Do you think it would be wrong to discourage them?

RAS

it is worth noting that even some of the most "expensive" and prestigous universities that have announced they are charging £9000 to students have arranged that those from low income families will only be charged £3000 per annum and will get quite large bursaries (which do not have to be re-paid) as well.

There simply is not enough information about most universities yet.

So good students from less well off families will be paying nothing like £9000 in fees and accruing much lower debts even at Oxbridge.

bigblackdog

dont encourage them to do a rubbish course, whats the point?

bigblackdog

i just read this thread again somewhere else , minus my post ,thought i was going a bit mad

RAS

Multiple posts on the saME TOPIC HERE AND ON DISCUSSION TIME

pigpen

I hate the idea of a waste of time course.. spanish poetry.. !!!!!! is that about?? what good could that possibly be to man or beast? and other such rhubarb... they are a complete waste of money.

My 2 oldest want to do psychology with criminology.. DS1 to go into the police force and I have no idea about DD1.. she is thinking primary teacher so I can see where it would come in useful..

But I feel you should encourage them to go to uni and have ambition to do great things but do make sure they are aware of where they want to end up after they have been.. it is no good doing graphic design like 400 other people but the job prospects are very low.. everyone I know who has done it has been unemployed for years after.. some went back and did teaching certs. just so they could get a job!

wintersunshine

RAS wrote: »

it is worth noting that even some of the most "expensive" and prestigous universities that have announced they are charging £9000 to students have arranged that those from low income families will only be charged £3000 per annum and will get quite large bursaries (which do not have to be re-paid) as well.

There simply is not enough information about most universities yet.

So good students from less well off families will be paying nothing like £9000 in fees and accruing much lower debts even at Oxbridge.

That's true. But we aren't poor enough or rich enough our kids would end up with the maximum amount of debt possible.:(

shop-to-drop

It will be worth looking into some degree courses in other european countrys where fees are £2 - £3K many are taught in English so that's not a problem. I will discourage my boys unless they are offered an excellent course which will lead to a well paid career. I am still expecting my eldest to go as he is very academic and not very practical but I will be weighing up all the options. I am not thrilled with the idea that he will be getting into extra debt to enable Uni's to discount courses for others just on the basis of whether they would qualify for free school meals.

wintersunshine

RAS wrote: »

Multiple posts on the saME TOPIC HERE AND ON DISCUSSION TIME

Sorry I had no idea everybody read both boards. I was just trying to get a range of views.

ovoreo

After college I decided to go into full time work instead of going to uni. I had no idea what I wanted to do so it was that rather than the fear of massive debt. I think this will still be largely influential on decisions although I'm sure the threat of £9Kpa fees won't help. I then went to uni part time once I decided on my career path and I am so pleased I did it that way. OK I might have missed out on the social element but I am happy and secure now so I can't feel I missed out.

wintersunshine

pigpen wrote: »

I hate the idea of a waste of time course.. spanish poetry.. !!!!!! is that about??

You are so right! Surely It can't be wrong for me to encourage my kids not to spend £50k on such a course!