Breaking point

Help! Which university should I pick?!

Are the new university fees putting more pressure on undergraduates to find the perfect university?

Universities have been granted permission to charge up to £9,000 a year for the average student, as of September 2012. The new scheme has added to the huge amount of pressure already on undergraduates. You want to make sure that you’re getting value for money. So does it set up a preoccupation in a student’s mind that the university has to be absolutely perfect?  

My name is Róisín and I’m going to apply for university in 2012 (just in time for this new scheme). Personally I have reached a critical moment. I find myself overwhelmed by the amount of choice and I find the thought of looking round another university terrifying. There is so much to think about when you look: Is the course good? What about the campus? Can I afford it? I simply can’t cope!

I’ve found faults with every single university I’ve visited. At first I thought I was being too picky as many of my friends have found their perfect uni already! But I don’t think that applies anymore. Since the university fees have risen I have felt a growing amount of pressure. I think that for the amount I’m going to pay there should be no reason why I shouldn’t be completely satisfied with my university (it should be made out of gold!).

After graduation the fees will be paid in monthly installments from your pay cheque when you reach an income of over £21.000 a year. But the idea that I’ll be in debt of £30.000 is scary and it is making the search for a university harder. I am determined to find one that’s worth all that money!

I said from year 7 that I would get A-levels and go to university, as I thought this was the only way to become successful and get a job. Since then so much has happened with education; BTEC’s are used more widely and apprenticeships have become increasingly popular amongst undergraduates. I suppose it has become more appealing for students to make money whilst learning.

University isn’t right for everyone and I am finding it hard to make a decision by October. This is such a short amount of time! On top of the money consideration, I also need to decide whether to study locally and live at home or to move away. Obviously it would be cheaper to stay at home but there is still that longing for freedom and liberation away from your parents.

This is a scary time where a lot of maturity is needed to make such an important decision. If I really can’t make up my mind I will consider taking a year out because I think choosing a university should not be a hasty decision. Wish me luck!

By Roisin Flannery

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