Access to higher education has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in approximately 15% of exam questions over the past five years. Similar to importance of saving for higher education, this topic reflects growing global concerns about educational equity and opportunity.
Analysis of Recent Exam Question
Some people believe that higher education should be accessible to all students, while others think universities should only accept students with excellent academic records. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Breakdown
- Topic: University admission criteria
- Task: Discussion + opinion
- Key aspects to address:
- Universal access perspective
- Merit-based admission perspective
- Personal stance with justification
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The debate over university admission criteria has significant implications for social mobility and academic excellence. While universal access promotes educational equality, merit-based admission maintains academic standards. In my opinion, a balanced approach combining both perspectives would be most beneficial.
Proponents of universal access argue that higher education is a fundamental right. This perspective, which aligns with The role of healthcare access in social equity, suggests that limiting university admission to top performers perpetuates social inequality. For instance, many talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds might have lower grades due to circumstances rather than ability. Moreover, inclusive education policies have successfully fostered innovation and diversity in countries like Norway and Finland.
However, those favoring merit-based admission contend that universities should maintain high academic standards. They argue that institutions must prioritize students who demonstrate academic excellence to maintain educational quality and efficient resource utilization. For example, prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge have shown that selective admission processes consistently produce high-achieving graduates who contribute significantly to their fields.
In my view, a hybrid approach would be most effective. Universities could reserve a portion of places for top academic performers while implementing support systems for promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds, similar to how Rural education challenges are addressed. This strategy would maintain academic standards while promoting social mobility and diversity.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Nowadays, there is a big discussion about who should be allowed to go to university. Some people think everyone should have the chance, but others say only the best students should get in. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who support open access to university say it’s fair to give everyone a chance. They think that if only the best students can go to university, many people will miss out on good jobs. Also, some students might be smart but have bad grades because they are poor or have problems at home.
On the other hand, some people think only students with good grades should go to university. They say universities need smart students to keep their quality high. Also, universities don’t have enough space and money for everyone, so they should choose the best students.
I think both sides have good points, but I agree more with letting everyone have a chance. Maybe universities can have different programs for different students. Some programs can be harder for very good students, and others can help normal students learn better.
Scoring Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay:
- Sophisticated vocabulary and complex structures
- Clear progression of ideas
- Well-developed arguments
- Effective use of examples
- Coherent paragraphing
Band 6.5 Essay:
- Simple but clear language
- Basic organization
- Limited range of vocabulary
- Some development of ideas
- Basic coherence and cohesion
Key Vocabulary
- perpetuate (v) /pəˈpetʃueɪt/ – to make something continue indefinitely
- prestigious (adj) /preˈstɪdʒəs/ – inspiring respect and admiration
- fundamental (adj) /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ – forming a necessary base or core
- innovation (n) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – the introduction of new ideas or methods
- hybrid (adj) /ˈhaɪbrɪd/ – something that combines different elements
Conclusion
This topic remains crucial in IELTS Writing Task 2. Practice writing essays about related themes such as educational funding, online learning access, and international education opportunities. Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and improvement suggestions.