The proportion of people in the UK who believe a university degree is not worth the time or money has reached a record high of 34%, according to the latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey. This marks a sharp increase from 14% in 2005, reflecting growing disillusionment with higher education.
The survey also found that only 36% of people now think graduates end up financially better off, down from 50% in 2005. Younger graduates, who have experienced the tuition fee system, are more likely to question the value of a degree than older generations who did not pay fees.
Tuition fees in England have risen from £1,000 per year in 1998 to up to £9,535 today, while student loan repayment thresholds have been frozen, causing real-terms increases in repayments. Above-inflation interest rates on loans have also sparked concerns about the burden on graduates.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, acknowledged a challenging labour market but stressed that graduates still have better employment prospects, higher earnings, and improved health outcomes. Nick Hillman of the Higher Education Policy Institute noted that while rewards are not always as great as hoped, only one in three people think university is not worth it.
Alex Stanley, vice-president for higher education at the National Union of Students, said he is glad he went to university but described the funding system as 'broken'. He highlighted the need for a system that allows students to expand their horizons without excessive debt, calling for a wake-up call to universities and the government.
Alex Scholes, co-author of the BSA report, warned that if public confidence continues to fall, universities—already under financial pressure—could face even worse conditions. He emphasised the role of universities in social mobility and economic growth.
