Free University Education: Band 7 Sample Essay

In many countries, the cost of a university degree has risen so sharply that tuition fees now decide who can study, rather than ability alone. While free higher education would place a heavy burden on public finances, I largely agree that it should be available to every qualified student, provided that the system is carefully managed.

The strongest argument for abolishing fees is that it would widen access to education. When students have to pay thousands of dollars a year, many talented young people from low-income families either give up on university or take on large debts which affects their lives for decades. Removing this financial barrier would mean that places are awarded on merit, which is both fairer and more efficient, since the country benefits from developing all of it's talent and not only the talent of wealthy families.

Furthermore, a better-educated population brings long-term economic benefits. Graduates generally earn higher salaries, so over their careers they pay considerably more income tax than non-graduates. In this sense, public spending on tuition is less a cost than an investment. Germany, for example, stopped charging tuition fees at most public universities and still has a highly skilled workforce.

Admittedly, critics argue that free tuition is too costly and may lead to overcrowded universities or to students who do not take their studies serious. These concerns are reasonable, but they can be addressed by setting strict entry requirements and by limiting free places to a first degree completed within a normal time.

In conclusion, although making university free requires substantial public investment, I believe the social and economic benefits are greater than the cost, as long as places are given according to academic ability.