Young people more sceptical of need to go to university, poll finds

Sixty-five per cent of young people up to the age of 16 said they thought it was important to go to university, continuing a downward trend seen since 2013, when 86% said a university education was important. A year ago the figure was 75% . The Guardian reports.

This year’s polling by Ipsos MORI for the Sutton Trust, also found nearly two-thirds of respondents were interested in doing an apprenticeship rather than going to university after leaving school, which the Sutton Trust said “may in part be down to a growing awareness of apprenticeships and other high-quality training routes”.

Sir Peter Lampl, the chairman of the educational charity, said young people needed better careers guidance, including where different degrees and apprenticeships could lead.

“Young people face a dilemma. If they go on to university, they incur debts of over £50,000 and will be paying back their loans well into middle age. And in many cases they will end up with degrees that don’t get them into graduate jobs,” Lampl said.

Read more Young people more sceptical of need to go to university, poll finds 

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