Since university funding benefits both university students and society as a
whole, both parties should bear some of the cost of university educations.
University students gain both personal and economic benefits by attending
university; however, society also benefits by having a more educated
population. In addition, it is important that all members of society have the
opportunity to attend university regardless of wealth. In this essay the various
models of funding for university places will be discussed.
There is little doubt that people who attend university usually benefit through
higher salaries and greater opportunities. It is therefore reasonable that society
expects students to make some contribution to the cost of their education.
However, expecting students to fully fund their own education may cause
students to avoid courses that lead to less well-paying jobs such as the sciences,
nursing and teaching.
Society as a whole also benefits from having a more educated community and
should support people who make an effort to become educated. It is therefore
reasonable that governments also provide money for university places,
particularly when the cost of doing a course or the return for students
discourages them from completing a course that is needed by society.
The funding model that is used for university placements is also very important
as governments have a responsibility to provide an opportunity for all
members of society to attend university. Deferred repayment of fees through
low cost loans and the partial subsidising of university courses by government
are effective methods of ensuring fairer access to university education since
they allow people to pay for their education when they are best able to afford
to.
In summary, university education benefits both individuals and society and
both governments and individuals who receive a university education should
make a contribution to the costs of tertiary education. In addition, it is
important that appropriate loan schemes are in place to ensure that access to
university is available to all members of society.