Most say degrees not worth high fees
Two thirds of students in England and Wales believe university is poor value for money, according to a new YouGov survey.
The poll of almost 1,000 undergraduates found that 66% feel the standard of education and graduate salaries do not justify annual fees of £9,535. Only 15% said they considered the cost worthwhile.
Tuition fees in England rose this year for the first time in eight years, with ministers refusing to rule out further inflation-linked increases.
Loan burden weighs heavily
Since changes to repayment rules in 2023, graduates can now face up to 40 years of repayments before debts are written off.
One in three students (37%) believe they will never clear their loans, while almost a quarter (23%) expect to be repaying for at least 20 years. Only 16% expect to settle the debt within two decades.
Satisfaction with courses remains high
Despite financial concerns, eight in ten students (80%) say they are satisfied with their course quality, although fewer than one in four (23%) describe themselves as “very satisfied”. Almost one in five (18%) expressed dissatisfaction.
Degrees still seen as useful
Most students still believe a degree helps. Some 78% say it will improve their chances of securing a good job, though just 66% think they will be financially better off.
A minority fear the opposite: 11% expect to be worse off financially, while 3% think their job prospects will decline.
Funding divides opinion
On the future of higher education funding, 44% of students back free tuition through general taxation, while 30% believe costs should be borne by students through fees or a graduate tax.
