This is a question that comes up a lot at when deciding what you want to do after you leave school or college. University is an amazing way to broaden your horizons and increase your employment prospects, but it’s also a big commitment and any decisions need to be carefully considered.
There can be lots of people giving you advice and it’s hard to know what’s best. Ultimately, it’s up to you what path you take, and one question you may be asking is why should I go to university?
Here’s a few reasons to help you to decide whether its the right path for you to take.
Your dream job requires a degree
Jobs that are highly specialised or involve medical care will generally need a degree and those who aspire to join these careers will need to go to university. Examples include jobs in medicine, nursing or paramedics, teaching, engineering, and law.
Even if your industry doesn’t specifically require a degree, the skills you develop during your studies make you much more attractive to future employers and will help you stand out in a crowded job market. Studying shows commitment, organisation, independence and develops critical thinking. All these skills are highly valued by employers.
The job market is competitive, and a degree might just give you the edge over another candidate.
TIP: If you’re unsure whether your dream role needs a degree, look at job descriptions to see what qualifications they’re asking for. This will give you a good insight into whether a degree is a requirement for your chosen industry.
You don’t know what your dream job is
You might not know what your dream role is, and that’s okay too. By going to university you can delve deeper into the subjects you enjoy and make valuable connections with people who work and teach in that area.
Most courses allow you to access work placements to test out different industries. You never know, these placements could turn out to be full-time graduate roles when you leave. Like Faith, who after a placement year, has been offered the chance to work for Randstad in the UK or Canada.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at Randstad. I immersed myself in the professional work environment, which I believe allowed me to develop in personal and professional aspects. The placement has enabled me to create friendships and connections that I would never have made without this opportunity.
Faith
BSc (Hons) Business Management Alumni
Edge Hill has strong partnerships with businesses across the UK, and also hosts regular careers fairs and guest lectures, so you’ll be able to build your network and discover roles you might not even know exist right now. Plenty of our most successful graduates came to university unsure on what their next step would be, and found their dream career while studying a subject they love.
There are also societies and groups you can get involved with at university, depending on your interests or career goals. They can help you to develop your network and uncover exciting opportunities in your field.
University gives you the chance to really immerse yourself in the subject area you love, and discover pathways and connections you won’t get elsewhere.
“Being part of the Law Society has completely transformed my individual confidence and knowledge within the legal field. The Society has allowed me to have an abundance of experiences, like mooting internally and externally and representing Edge Hill University nationally in negotiation, along with being able to network with legal professionals who are well into their career. I’m graduating this year, and without the Society I would be going into the legal profession blind and at a great disadvantage.”
Lara
LLB (Hons) Law
President of the Law Society
Boost your future earning potential
On average, graduates earn more in their lifetime than those without degrees. A recent study by Universities UK (2024) showed:
“Across England, graduates outperform non-graduates by approximately a third ten years after graduation. Even for those working in sectors which are commonly perceived as not needing degree-level training, such as arts and entertainment, the salary premium is clear, standing at 42%.”
So even if you find your industry doesn’t require a degree, having one will set you up for success and is a worthwhile investment to boost your future earning potential.
You’ll be fully supported
This period in your life is a transition, whether you’re just leaving school and figuring out next steps or wanting to change career paths later in life. Whatever your circumstances, there’s support on hand to help you navigate this important time and teams of people dedicated to getting you where you want to be.
From financial support services through to mental health and wellbeing, students at Edge Hill have the full backing of our support teams to get them through any challenges and to exactly where they want to be. We even offer careers support up to three years after graduation.
When you go to university, you have expert help on hand through this transitional time and into your early career, giving you the space to focus on your studies and enjoy student life with nothing to hold you back.
“Before starting, I was also told that the Inclusion team would be helpful and they’ve supported me in so many ways. They helped me move into more suitable accommodation, installed a cord in my room to alert first-aiders if I have a seizure, and even given me a table-top oven so I can cook. They have supported me tremendously, more so than I could have ever imagined when deciding where I wanted to study, and I’m very grateful.”
Tony
MBChB Medicine student
Make new friends and expand your horizons
By going to university, you’ll be working closely with people from all over the world. Students and staff at university come from all cultures and backgrounds, and many students find university to be an eye-opening experience particularly if they haven’t experienced other cultures before.
Alongside expanding your horizons, you can make friends for life during your time studying. There’s plenty of support available to help you settle in and get to know like-minded people at Edge Hill, with plenty of ice-breaker events when you start and a range of exciting societies and groups to get involved in throughout your time here.
So, should I go to university?
University will open up a world of opportunities to you. Whether your industry requires a degree or not, there are plenty of benefits in going to university.
Aside from the learning and professional networking opportunities, you can also meet people from all walks of life and learn from their experiences, discovering paths you might not have considered. If you want to grow personally and professionally, and delve deeper into the subject you love, then you should absolutely consider university.
The best way to find out if you should go to university is by experiencing it yourself. Take a look at our upcoming open days and experience the buzz of campus life.
February 14, 2025
