For many, going to university is the logical next step after finishing school. Numerous young people across the globe apply to universities every year, hoping to further their studies, gain new experiences and pave the way for a successful career.
While attending university isn't your only option, and you can develop professional skills without a degree, higher education is far more than just a route to a secure career.
Attending university offers opportunities to gain knowledge, grow your network and cultivate your life experience. Still not convinced? Read on to learn more about why you should go to university.
Enhance your career prospects
Having a university degree has a positive impact on your future career. Although not every profession requires you to be a degree holder, you need to obtain specific vocational degrees to establish a career in fields such as nursing, medicine, clinical psychology, pharmacy, education, law, engineering and architecture.
Check out this article on how to match your study with your potential career path.
Develop transferable skills
Apart from subject-specific knowledge, going to university allows you to develop transferable skills that you can apply in the workplace, such as presentation, problem-solving, organisational and interpersonal skills.
The opportunity to engage in group projects and student societies can help foster your ability to collaborate effectively within a team. The ability to perform high-quality teamwork is a skill valued by many employers regardless of industry.
Since many university graduates decide to start a career in a field not directly relevant to their studies, it is fair to conclude that transferable skills are as important as your academic knowledge. Those are the skills you can take from one job to another even when you change your career path.
Earn a higher income
Being a degree holder also means you are more likely to be employed, take up high-skilled jobs and make more money.
According to statistics from the Department for Education of England, in 2022, the median annual income of a graduate throughout their entire working life amounts to £34,000. On the contrary, non-graduates have a median lifetime salary of £25,000.
As a result, graduates earn approximately £7,000 more yearly than those without degrees, leading to a lifetime earnings difference of £321,000.
Explore a subject you enjoy
Aside from benefiting your future career, going to university enables you to delve deeper into a subject you are interested in, eventually becoming an expert in the field.
Many universities provide you with the flexibility to take elective modules, meaning you can further explore areas of specific interest or dip your toes into new topics.
To help you decide what to study at university, read this article about the top five undergraduate degrees for 2023 to discover the most popular subjects among international students.
A chance for self-development
Universities offer an excellent environment for you to cultivate life skills, develop your independence, grow your network and broaden your horizon.
Leaving home and living on your own while at university allows you to quickly develop essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning and managing your time and finances. It won't take long for you to learn how to look after yourself and become independent.
You will also come across people from different backgrounds, which means plenty of chances to expand your social circle and enlarge your understanding of the world. You may even make some lifelong friends at university - you never know!
Going to university isn't just about building a career path. While having a degree can undoubtedly put you in an advantageous position when you kickstart your career, universities also offer you the perfect opportunity to foster life skills, build lifelong connections and expand your worldview.
If you enjoy learning new knowledge while having fun and are passionate about personal development, the university is definitely right for you.
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