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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

how much does it cost to send a child to university?

57 replies

ratclare · 29/03/2007 09:46

starting to panic slightly as son will be 18 in 5 years time and havent saved a penny yet ,what are the costs of sending a child to uni ,my parents reckon it cost them about £30,000 to send my brother

OP posts:

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 10:34

But I don't want mine to make good use of it in a way... just have wonderful time and learn things without going bankrupt

fennel · 29/03/2007 10:36

I think the cost of housing is likely to be more of a problem than student loans for the next generation, unless things change on that quite a lot. the whole loan pales into insignificance compared to the cost of a small house for a first time buyer.

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 10:42

I mean, I do want them to make good use of it in terms of getting a good higher education, of course, don't get me wrong. But I want them to be able to learn (socially, life skills wise and academically) for its own sake, for the pure pleasure of it, if that's what they would like to do, not always having to have both eyes firmly on their employment prospects. I did a philosophy degree and it was fab. Blossomed academically, socially, sexually, alcoholically etc etc. Completely useless in career times more or less (though it is surprising how many people are interested in philosphy during psychotic episodes...) but I think it benefited me immensely.

fennel · 29/03/2007 10:46

I did philosophy too . and psychology, which was (in comparison to the philosophy) a sensible career choice in that at least it has some career openings (which I duly ignored).

I wouldn't have done a phd if I'd had student loans already, and no grant, I'm fairly sure. which actually might have been a good thing, maybe it's not all bad if students have to contemplate the economic realities of their choices. I was far too idealistic in choosing my subjects and courses and maybe that's not actually a good thing.

I never cared about money or salary til I had 2 under 3s in nursery, suddenly then it mattered. maybe it would be good to think about those things a decade or so before some of us did.

fireflyfairy2 · 29/03/2007 10:47

At the minute my fee's are £1200.00 per year. x 3 = £3600.00

Basic loan per year of £3164.00 per year.

Supplementary grant of £1395.00 per year.

So that is what the fees/loan etc are that I have to pay [although I am a mature student & my fees are paid for me] The loan was to buy books, help pay travel fees & childcare costs.

The loan will need repaid but the grant or fees won't.

So over £10,000 will need paid back when I get a job.

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 10:50

lol @ "which I duly ignored".

But hasn't your phd been rather good, career wise?

fennel · 29/03/2007 10:54

Hmmm. in that I love the job, yes. In financial terms, I can't think of much which would pay less for as many years of study and for as good qualifications.

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 10:55

Do you wish you'd done something else, then?

fennel · 29/03/2007 11:02

it's hard to say, but I do think my deliberate lack of attention to financial pressures as a student was a bit naive. Especially, from a feminist perspective, we might not care about salaries at 21 but when it comes to having children and prioritising one partner's career over the others, it's always salary which matters at that point. so being idealistic about salaries may work before children but how many women then cut down their job or give up because they're earning less than their DP at the point of having children? In which case, yes I do think salary matters a great deal, if it leads to such significant decisions later on. it's not just being materialistic if in the end you can't continue with your career because it's not financially viable after children, or because your salary is so paltry compared to your DP's that it's not worth going to work.

EdithP · 29/03/2007 11:07

I don't think realism is the same as materialism either but rien de rien here... And I am now earning more than my partner!

EdithP · 29/03/2007 11:08

Could you be made academic top dog in time?

EdithP · 29/03/2007 11:10

And though salary has trumped love of work at very lean times in our house in the end the has latter won through...

EdithP · 29/03/2007 11:11

And provided some dosh

EdithP · 29/03/2007 11:11

Will change name back now!

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 11:16

I do think loving your job is a massive, massive plus if there's any way you can make it pay the rent. And you make a difference to your students and the furthering of your subject. It would be a grevious shame not to have a brilliant fennel in your post because you felt bound to be doing something more financially rewarding, I think.

ScummyMummy · 29/03/2007 11:16

Am talking to myself...

FioFio · 29/03/2007 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

fennel · 29/03/2007 11:24

Scummy you can be my friend.

and you're right about the importance of a job you enjoy. and we are fine financially anyway as a household as DP earns well and we have housing equity. but maybe I'd have enjoyed other jobs as much which also paid well.

anyway, hence my enthusiasm for higher student fees, someone has to pay our salaries to keep people being able to work in universities!

aig · 29/03/2007 17:40

My DH went to Uni and got a full grant, came out after 5 yrs with a debt of ~£300 in 1981. I went at the same time and my parents paid my fees and maintenance - so I too graduated with no debt in 1981.
My DS is 2 terms in to a first degree. We have worked out that he is costing £10,000 a year. He has a loan which he may well use to fund any further education or training post this degree. One of my siblings did a PhD and another a couple of educational things so I think that avoiding meaningful employment is genetic.
He is enjoying Uni and is growing up. I think it is fabulous if you are well supported but would think twice about many degrees if children are going to end up with huge debts.
(Our DD is due to leave school in 1 year - the costs are terrifying!)

hana · 29/03/2007 17:46

the value of a university education is being diluted as the gov't keeps increased targets for school leavers to go to universtiy.
where I'm from, a degree is merely a stepping stone to a further qualification ( if you're going down an academic route that is) It won't be long before it's the same in the UK.
Agree the gov't should also be pushing vocational careers

Tortington · 29/03/2007 17:53

my dd will get a loan.

but she will have the greatest time i am certain of it.

and she can live at home!

Tamum · 29/03/2007 17:55

snowgirl, that's not true for Scottish students though, so what chopchop was suggesting to expat is true. The £1800 is for students from the rest of the UK only.

I agree with Scummy- I had a fab time and couldn't possibly be doing what I do now without it, so I am very glad I went. No debts then though

LAURACOLLEY · 30/03/2007 15:34

at the moment if you are English can you parents earn over £30000 a year you take out 2 loans, one for tution fees £3000 a year and one for living costs, £4500 a year if you are moving out of your parents house, but not to london. Both of these loans are not paid back until you are earning more than £15000. parents don't pay anything any more.

LAURACOLLEY · 30/03/2007 15:35

so now average debt is about £22500

RustyBear · 02/04/2007 22:29

"parents don't pay anything any more."

Hollow laughter in the RustyBear household at that one laura......

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