Why go to university?
Going to university means a lot more than just getting a qualification. What else will your child gain from higher education – and more importantly, is it all really worth it? Here are just a few benefits of going to university to help you, and them, decide:
Development of employability skills
With more than 60% of graduate jobs disregarding the subject of study, it is not just a degree that employers will look for.† For many, the focus is on the essential employability skills that students acquire throughout their university life, such as self confidence, communication, commitment, initiative, teamwork and time management. Many courses also provide opportunities to gain valuable work experience relevant to your degree, which often leads to employment after graduation. Find out about how Glamorgan helps get our students into work.
More interest in their course
University is a great opportunity for your son or daughter to study something they really love, which means they are far more likely to have an enjoyable experience as well as gain those all important employability skills. There are over 50,000 courses available to study in the UK, so there is sure to be something that suits them.
Improved career prospects
Obtaining a higher education qualification, such as a degree, will significantly improve your son or daughter’s career prospects. A degree is a gateway to employment, with forecasts predicting that 50% of all job vacancies from now until 2020 will be in areas most likely to demand graduates.‡ Not only will there be a wider variety of career options on offer, including the potentially lucrative graduate job market, but once they have graduated they are more likely to be promoted to managerial positions – many organisations are now employing graduates for special trainee schemes. Some occupations such as Law and Medicine demand that you have a degree in a specific subject to be able to build a career in that field.
Independence
Going to university is very different to school or college. Your son or daughter will learn lots about a subject that really interests them – but it is really up to them to make the most of it. With a greater emphasis on independent and self-directed study, they will be expected to do far more work themselves than ever before, which is excellent preparation for the real world when they come to look for a job. What’s more, if your child decides to move away from the family home, they will become more independent, more responsible and more mature – whether it be learning to manage their money or just washing their own clothes (although you can still expect them to bring their washing home from time to time!).
Social life
The social aspect is an important consideration when choosing where and what to study. Your son or daughter will have the opportunity to develop skills through their social interactions that cannot be taught in a classroom environment and that will be attractive to future employers. Meeting new people and making new friends is a huge part of university life. People from all backgrounds and ages go to university, so it will be a great chance for your child to develop their communication skills, learn about different cultures and societies and broaden their horizons.
Future earning potential
Going to university is about your child investing in their future. There are long-term financial benefits to be gained as a result of achieving a higher level qualification such as a degree. The average starting salary for a graduate job in 2010 was £27,000*, while degree holders have earned an average of £12,000 a year more than non-graduates over the last decade.**
† “What do Graduates do?” 2010 (HECSU and AGCAS)
*The Graduate Market in 2010, High Fliers Research