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.

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.
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? We’re 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 don’t 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 don’t think I would have… well I wouldn’t
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 isn’t worth the … the investment. I mean,
it’s great. Don’t 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 wouldn’t trade that
experience in for the world, but in the long run, I don’t think … that it really benefits you,
career-wise that is.
Presenter
Thank you, Debbie, for your thoughts. I have to say, I’ve heard a number of my own
friends voicing similar views. Let’s listen to caller 2 - that’s Josie Crane. Josie?
Caller 2
Well, I also studied a few years ago, and granted, I didn’t 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, it’s not just about the lectures and the seminars and the study skills, it’s 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. It’s 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. Let’s hear from caller 3, Paul Weston. Paul?
Caller 3
Well, I don’t 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
haven’t 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 university’s 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 - what’s
your opinion on the subject?
Caller 4
Well, I understand what people are saying, about how university doesn’t always give
you the … useful factsthat 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 they’re not even going to give someone a look-in
if they don’t have a degree, if… if… that’s their pre-requisite, I mean. But it’s 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 don’t 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, that’s Ralph Jordan. What would you like to say?
Caller 5
Well, personally I don’t know what everyone is talking about here. Education isn’t just
about getting a job, university isn’t 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 - I’m 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 can’t
see the value of a university education, then maybe you shouldn’t be going anyway.
Presenter
Thank you Ralph. Well, it’s already turning into a fascinating debate. We’ll hear more
views on this topic, after this.