The topic of free university education consistently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly in recent years. Based on analysis from should universities offer free education for all citizens, this theme has appeared in approximately 15% of education-related questions since 2020.
University students debating about free education policies
Question Analysis
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, while others think students should pay for their own education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires:
- Discussion of arguments for and against free university education
- Clear personal stance
- Balanced analysis of both perspectives
- Relevant examples and supporting evidence
Band 9 Sample Essay
As the debate around Should education be free? continues, both sides present compelling arguments. While free university education offers significant societal benefits, it also raises concerns about sustainability and fairness.
Proponents of free university education argue that it promotes equal opportunities and social mobility. When financial barriers are removed, talented students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can access higher education, leading to a more educated workforce and innovative society. For instance, countries like Germany and Norway have successfully implemented free university systems, resulting in high educational standards and social equality.
However, critics contend that university education should remain fee-based. They argue that free education could lower educational quality due to reduced funding and might devalue degrees. Furthermore, taxpayers would bear the considerable cost, potentially diverting resources from other crucial sectors like healthcare or primary education.
In my opinion, while completely free university education might be challenging to implement, a hybrid system could be optimal. This could involve subsidized education based on merit and need, ensuring both accessibility and quality. Similar to should college education be tuition-free, this approach balances social responsibility with practical constraints.
Band 7 Sample Essay
The issue of whether university education should be provided free of charge generates significant debate. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting a personal view.
Those supporting free university education highlight its role in creating an equitable society. When education is free, students can focus on their studies without financial stress. Additionally, society benefits from a more educated population, leading to economic growth and innovation, similar to how Artificial intelligence in education is transforming learning opportunities.
On the contrary, opponents argue that free education poses significant challenges. Universities require substantial funding for facilities, research, and qualified staff. Making education free could strain public resources and potentially reduce educational quality. Moreover, students might value their education less if they don’t invest in it financially.
From my perspective, while completely free education might be ideal, a balanced approach combining partial government funding with reasonable student contributions seems more practical. This ensures both quality and accessibility while maintaining educational value.
Key Vocabulary
- Socioeconomic (adj) /ˌsəʊʃɪəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – relating to social and economic factors
- Implementation (n) /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃən/ – the process of putting a plan into action
- Sustainable (adj) /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – able to be maintained at a certain level
- Equitable (adj) /ˈekwɪtəbəl/ – fair and impartial
- Innovation (n) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – introduction of new ideas or methods
Writing Tips
- Support arguments with specific examples
- Use varied sentence structures
- Maintain clear paragraph organization
- Include relevant topic vocabulary
- Express opinions diplomatically
Consider practicing with similar topics like should college degrees guarantee job placement to enhance your writing skills. Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion.
