University yes or no?

[lovely123]

DS, aged 17, never been highly academic but has got through his GCSEs and now in the first year of A-levels/BTECH. He does not have any idea of what he wants to do after A-levels, he ums and arghs about Uni and has even admitted he only wants to go for the fun element, no interest in gaining a degree/further education. I have gone through the apprenticeships with him and he likes that idea and I have given him the pros/cons of Uni too. I feel he is very aware of what choices are available to him and I am also pushing him more into the apprenticeships route so he is not accumulating debt just so he can have 2 years of fun.
He is now starting to say he really wants to go to Uni to do a business degree or something in finance but I know he is finding the uni idea attractive as his current sixth form friends are discussing it and he feels like he will miss out but my concern is he/we will end up in debt. If he wanted to go into medicine or have a specific career choice then no issues but for some generic degree it makes no sense to me and I feel he will probably do better in the workplace.
The flip side of me does not want him to come to me in 5-10 years time and blame me for not supporting his choice to go to uni either.
How would you handle this?

Personally I don't see going to uni as a debt in the same way as a loan or mortgage etc. Sure you have to pay it back once you earn over the threshold but repayments are minimal (depending on salary) and the vast majority of people don't even end up paying back the full amount. Plus it doesn't negatively impact on credit like other "debts" so I wouldn't let that be the main deciding factor.

I would just encourage him to do what's best for him, the uni experience is great but not really worth it if he would do it for a year because all his friends have gone and then he decides to drop out.

Doing an apprenticeship he will be able to work his way up in whatever career he chooses quicker. But from what you've said it sounds like he has his head screwed on & will make the right decision for himself.

My DDs both did apprenticeships.
Three years after leaving school they are earning what a new grad would earn with no student loan or other debt to pay off. Both their employers are paying them to do onward training.
So, IMO, unless you want a job that needs a degree, it's not worth it financially.

Your son should only go to university if he really wants to. If he is in two minds have a year off first. Hopefully next year will be better socially but the ' fun' element is not guaranteed for a while and if he doesn't love his subject it could be a disappointing experience.
Like a pp the cost shouldn't be the reason to go or not to go necessarily and nor should worrying about going now or in a few years time . Lots of students go later or change path when they know what they want to do.

I have a DD in a similar situation, the main issue is she is not entirely sure why she wants to do in life but likes the idea of uni just because it's moving away and being more grown up. My other concern is Covid abs how unis seem to be continuing with lots of online learning into the next academic year. The idea of spending thousands of pounds to sit in student accommodation on a laptop doing online lectures just seems crazy and soul destroying. Part of me thinks a year out or deferring may be an option to see how all this Covid stuff goes over the next twelve months. My worry with that is that she will get out of the education cycle and will find it hard to get back to it. It's so difficult.

My ds really had no idea what he wanted to do when he left school, maybe art like his big sister. So he took a year off to do a portfolio course and ge5 a job. Portfolio course was a bit rubbish as there was no studio time, and in the interim he got a job in home care and has loved that, so is now applying for nursing.

I'm really glad he didn't just go to uni for the sake of it, especially as this last year has been so rubbish. He could have gone to do several things (has the grades) but sensibly the job route has been the right one for him.

If he wants to work in finance maybe an economics degree? Or an apprenticeship

Portfolio course was a bit rubbish as there was no studio time, and in the interim he got a job in home care and has loved that, so is now applying for nursing.

That's great weegie, hope he loves it

Firstly, make sure you really understand how student finance works.
Read all the information on the Martin Lewis site.
You will only pay money back during the years you owe over the threshold (about £28K). It doesn't work like a loan, or 'debt', but like a tax. If you earn well, more money comes out of your gross pay before it arrives in your bank account. If you ever can't work / go part time / work in an 'average pay' or lower paid job / start a business and aren't earning much, then you stop paying that 'tax'.

If he really wants to go, then don't be scared off by not clearly understanding the system

That said. If he doesn't now what he wants to do, then trying to get a job now - earn some money, pass his driving test, etc., and to go in a year or 2, or 5 is probably a better route. Many of my ds's friends went to university because that is what everyone else is doing and then came out at 21 with no career path and many struggled to find jobs. Only at 23/ 24 / 25 have they started going on to do a Masters in order to get qualifications that move them into 'careers' as opposed to 'jobs'. Some say they wish they had worked for a few years and decided when they were that little bit older.

My son is awaiting his A level results at the moment, my son never really been a big fan of school but he always done well and got the grades he needed, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do to start with, his now planing to go to uni it's something I have encourage yes there will be some debt but it will be taken back once he earning a certain amount plus hopefully from him having a degree in the long run he will have a better paid job in the future, and with covid I think there is fewer apprenticeship available plus I like him to find some independence, life experience and fun so if your son is wanting to go I would advise encourage this choice

I would encourage a gap year. Work, travel then see.

It’s a great opportunity to take a breath, try out some new things and travel
(hopefully). I think we rush into careers and real life way too quickly. They’ll all be working for 50 years anyway!

And yes definitely look up student debt on Martin Lewis. It’s not the same as normal debt.

If he really wants to go then I would encourage that and help him find a course that will suit him . Going to uni really is an amazing experience

Going through the price of finding what uni to go to and what course to do as well as writing a personal statement will help his thoughts about whether he does or doesn't want to go to uni. A few visits also starts to make it real to both of you.
If he changes his mind later he can defer and take a gap year or decide not to go and go when he is older. The opportunity will still be there.
Apply for apprenticeships along side then he will have real options to choose from.
A finance degree leads to lots of opportunities both business and accounting so is still worthwhile.

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