Growing UK University Tuition Fee's

Russel245

My son is currently studying his AS levels and will soon be choosing his university placements.

We're by no means well for money and with the recent increases in tuition fee's here in the UK, I are being forced to consider his options as to whether it is viable for him to still go to university or not.

He's a pretty good student, but don't know whether 'all paid' scholarships are a possibility. What he wants (what he says anyway...) is the paperwork, not necessarily the whole 'university lifestyle'.

I was looking long distance learning courses such as this: http://www.brightonsbm.com/index.php

Similar to OU? He could save plenty of ££££ staying at home.

Thoughts? Are other people feeling the same? What are the alternatives, if any?

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R

heretolearn_2

For a start the place you linked to doesn't offer degrees. You have to be very careful not to end up with something expensive but ultimately not worth it. OU is very well respected -yes I am biaised as I study with them - and the experts at distance learning, so why not look at them?

What subject does he want to do? What career does he want or not sure yet (that's ok)?

On going away for a degree, if he is doing a sensible subject (and by that I mean either directly and at a high level vocational like medicine, pharmacy, engineering, oil industry Or traditional academic subject like maths, a science, history etc) then don't be put off by the loans. They don't need to be repaid until he is in a decent paying job and even then the repayments are small. It's the chance of a good career and future. As long as you pick the degree and university well and don't fall for some second rate subject at an ex-poly. Better to pay more to go to a good uni away from home than pay a bit less to go to something way down the league tables just round the corner, and end up working in McDonalds just the same as if you hadn't bothered. Which uni you go to DOES make a difference to employers. It doesn't have to be the very top, but don't go second-rate.

For all the doom and gloom stories there are still successes out there for graduates. I know a graduate who has secured a very competitive training contract whereby he now gets fully funded to do his Masters next year then joins the firm on a starting salary of £45k the year after. With potential to get up to £100k+ salary in under 5 years. Do you think he regrets his student loan?

princessdon

I admit that this worries me as a parent. I fear for the fees when my children start in 10 years time.

When I did my degree I got a small grant as my parents weren't rich and I got my fees paid.

Totally frightening for new students

But I have to say I would still want them to do this when older.

Good luck

earthbound_misfit

heretolearn wrote: »

... don't fall for some second rate subject at an ex-poly.

Sorry - got to pick up on that, probably in my father's voice lol.
He went to what was a techincal college back in the 70's, studied a science subject, and continues to be employed in that field, teaching in universities (including King's College, London) and publishing many papers and doing research as well as writing books that are used as reading for university courses, and inventing something obscure to most but widely applied in that particular field.
Of course, good teaching at a university matters but it is not the simple 'redbrick vs ex-poly' that people make it out to be.

Agreed that the subject is important - it it necessary for/will lead to a job? (ie. nursing), is it necessary for his chosen career? I have met many 18yr olds going to university simply because they don't know what to do next and so pick a subject they are good at without considering where it might or might not lead. (For the record, study for the joy of the subject is great but one should be aware that it won't necessarily lead to employment, which is what is being considered here.) If he's in doubt about what to study, I'd strongly recommend working first, before he commits to a course. I know the job market is terrible, but if/when he finally graduates, he will appeal more to employers as a mature student who clearly thought about going to uni/wanted to pursue his chosen subject for a reason.

Mara69

OU fees have increased expoentially - a £700 will be £2,500 from September - and you need 6 modules to gain a degree.

Horace

Why not consider an apprenticeship that way he can be paid to study and could even study for a degree as part of his work?

I think that too much emphasis is placed on University education - sure it is great to have but not always suitable for everybody especially when there are so many alternatives.

heretolearn_2

Hi

fair play, I shouldn't have been so rough on the ex-polys - some of them are now excellent universities. Untimately a degree is a degree, but few employers are convinced all degrees are equal. Speaking of which - why not take a look at Oxford and Cambridge. They work out at excellent value as the accommodation prices can surprisingly be lower than elsewhere, the course fees are the same, and that really does give you some clout.

But due to the boom in higher ed. it seems that there are now 3 or 4 'universities' in every town offering not quite the same experience or kudos that people should expect for their money. As long as it's up reasonably in the league tables then the history of the uni doesn't matter. Just don't go to the dregs at the bottom of the table, and don't do a silly subject.

I don't mean to sound like a snob. I didn't go to uni at all. I'm now doing OU. But as an employer I've learned to disregard a lot of the 'degrees' people turn up with when I find they can barely write a coherent sentence - these are always from the funny little colleges/affiliated to degree courses/low ranking unis.

Apprenticeships are an excellent idea. I'm looking into them as we speak to see about recruiting through one. I had no idea of the range of subjects and the advanced levels you can study to with them. If your son wants some sort of trade or profession it's a great way to go. For example, there are places where you can do a 4 year apprenticeship right up to full ACCA membership if you want to be an accountant, all your study fees paid, plus a wage, and honestly that's got to be the best possible option I've seen open to trainees right now. Most would-be accountants have to try and work part time, study part time, and pay for it all themselves which costs £1000s and takes years.

mynameistallulah

heretolearn wrote: »

it seems that there are now 3 or 4 'universities' in every town

Remind me of all these towns that have 3 or 4 universities ...

Person_one

heretolearn wrote: »

I don't mean to sound like a snob.

Sorry, but you do.

mynameistallulah

Person_one wrote: »

Sorry, but you do.

I agree, and an ill informed one at that.

I have studied my undergrad and my Masters at an "ex poly". The next course I need/ wish to take is only offered in my area at a "traditional" university. So I set about writing my personal statement, intending to comment on the excellent research produced by the university. But then I checked the RAE results, and realised that the ex poly is far better ranked than the traditional uni! I don't have a choice this year, I shall have to go to the latter, but next year I do intend to return to the poly

Dunroamin

Russel245 wrote: »

My son is currently studying his AS levels and will soon be choosing his university placements.

We're by no means well for money and with the recent increases in tuition fee's here in the UK, I are being forced to consider his options as to whether it is viable for him to still go to university or not.

He's a pretty good student, but don't know whether 'all paid' scholarships are a possibility. What he wants (what he says anyway...) is the paperwork, not necessarily the whole 'university lifestyle'.

I was looking long distance learning courses such as this: http://www.brightonsbm.com/index.php

Similar to OU? He could save plenty of ££££ staying at home.

Thoughts? Are other people feeling the same? What are the alternatives, if any?

======
R

You seem not to understand the current education funding system which is quite generous to those students from low income homes.

Higher education is too important to make choices based totally on financial issues, particularly if the parent seems to be taking the lead in this.

Let your son do the research and explain the funding situation to you and then let him make his own decisions, with financial issues well down the list of priorities.