Mike Butler: University costs and benefits

Universities are advertising and soon year 13 pupils will attend open days as they ponder their big step to tertiary education. But do those pupils and their parents have enough information to make an informed choice on where or whether to go?

Universities heavily promote their benefits because bums on seats bring funding. Secondary schools like having numerous pupils going on to higher education because this enhances their status as a quality education provider. Teachers believe in the value of education so push as many pupils as they can towards tertiary.