Last year, some two million undergraduates graced the hallowed halls of the UK’s universities. This year, UCAS says the number of 18-year-olds accepted into university has hit a record high. But as incoming freshers ransack the nation’s supply of mattress toppers and glassware, some graduates on the other end are wondering if the pay-off is really worth it.
For many, university is a cultural rite. It’s a time to grow, make new friends and experiences, and traverse teenhood into adult life. For some, there’s the academic pursuit too. But after five years of higher education, Poppy, 26, has found herself with £53,000 of debt and a job taken by AI.
