AIBU to discourage uni for daughter, I'm worried about debt without career plan?

She needs to look for degree apprenticeships. There are more coming on stream. Her school should be giving her the options to explore.

There’s a balance here. Has she had decent careers guidance? Studying for the sake of it is a valid and a wonderful thing to do… however, as some done with a non descriptive, non vocational degree I wish someone had advised me about my options to combine a degree and love of learning with a good plan!

Speak to her 6th form college and ask about the careers service. Set up some work experience etc. law, finance, health and safety, optometry, quantity surveying, marketing. There are a vast array of degrees that can lead to good careers.

I think this is exactly what OP is doing - it’s tough times for graduates currently both in terms of student loans and jobs (let alone careers).

YABU to point blank discourage her, YANBU to support her in finding alternatives.

I think it depends on many factors, but if she ever wants to live abroad, almost certainly she'll need a degree to satisfy work visa requirements for most countries (as opposed to those "working holiday visas" where you don't need a degree but they're time-limited). You also need a degree these days for many jobs as the basic barrier to entry. Grad schemes are a total mess and hard to get onto, but they were when I graduated (2010). Eventually we all muddle through.

As a teacher I'm still encouraging people to go to uni unless they really don't know what they want to do, in which case taking some time out is a good plan. My DSis doesn't have a degree and it's taken her into her mid-30s to "launch" in life and has only just bought a house at 35, whereas I was already a teacher with my own home in my mid-twenties because I had a degree. I took a year out before going to uni as well; I don't think that's ever a bad idea.

If money is a huge issue, could she live at home and do a distance degree e.g. the Open University? It's cheaper staying at home than going to uni and the tuition fees are lower.

I think it’s a bit short sighted to just think of the debt without thinking of the career opportunities having a degree could give her.

You're right about them only being payable after you reach a specific earning threshold; the biggest issue, however, is the interest that's now being added to these loans, which is quite shocking and is looking like many students will never, ever pay off the debt, buy will still be liable to pay every month..

It'll be her debt, not yours.

If she chooses to do nothing with her degree, that's also her choice.

I'm no help but in the same situation. DD is in the middle of a gap year and planning on going to a decent uni in Sept. Loves the subject but doesn't want to teach or particularly use the degree and has no career in mind. DH and I are saying to only go to uni if she needs a degree to do her chosen career but otherwise please find something else to do. Its so expensive and seems like the graduate market isn't great just now anyway.

Not your decision, ultimately, and it won’t be your debt.

yes, YABU

She is academic and wants to go because she loves learning

This is why she should go.

I'm out of touch now re Student Loans are they no longer only payable when you earn over x amount?