Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views – University Education

Whether university should be free is widely debated. Some argue that higher education is a public good and ought to be funded by the state, whereas others contend that students should contribute through tuition fees. This essay discusses both perspectives and argues for a mixed model with targeted support.

Those in favour of free university emphasise equality of opportunity. If fees are removed, capable students from low-income families are less likely to be deterred by debt, which can broaden participation and improve social mobility. In addition, societies benefit when more people gain advanced skills: doctors, engineers and teachers raise productivity and strengthen public services. From this angle, taxpayer funding is justified because graduates’ expertise ultimately serves the whole community.

However, charging tuition is often seen as fair and financially realistic. Universities are expensive to run, and relying solely on public budgets can lead to overcrowding, outdated facilities and underpaid staff. Fees can provide institutions with stable income and create competition that encourages better teaching and research. Moreover, individuals typically enjoy substantial private returns from degrees through higher lifetime earnings, so it seems reasonable that they share the cost rather than placing the entire burden on taxpayers, including those who never attend university.

In my view, neither extreme is ideal. Governments should guarantee access by subsidising tuition heavily, offering means-tested grants and income-contingent loans, while still requiring many students to pay a portion when they can afford it. This approach protects disadvantaged learners without undermining university quality or diverting excessive public funds from schools, healthcare and other priorities.