What are University Fees Spent On?
With the cost of going to University now being up to £9000 for tuition fees alone, many people often ask themselves the question of where all these fees go. I am surely not getting £9000’s worth of teachers’ time with that money, nor does some of it go towards food or accommodation. So where does all of this money go?
Staff Costs
For nearly all Universities, this is the largest expenditure for the University, with Yale allocating 63% of its total expenditure on staff costs. This may seem like University lecturers must somehow be on similar wages to footballers, but unfortunately for them, it is not the case. The idea is that if you spend a lot of money on staff then the staff to pupil ratio will decrease and you will be taught in smaller groups which in turn, should put you in a better position to pass your exam.
Facilities
Universities contain some of the most modern equipment in the world due to the mixture of a large budget due to tuition fees, experts in certain fields and plenty of young and innovative people who must learn to use this new equipment for jobs later in their career. Hence a large portion of University spending will go on new equipment, whether that is machines for the Engineering or Science departments, or computers for the library or even on renovating buildings. Again, many students see things like keeping the grounds clean as unnecessary expenditure that could be allocated elsewhere, but all of the cleaners, builders etc. will help make the University that you go to, a more attractive place to study.
Scholarships, Research etc.
Many people don’t agree with the fact that the fees that they are paying will in part be subsidising other people’s places at the University, this may be because this person comes from a lower income family. However, when most people go to University they are deemed to be independent and will take out a loan or grant to cover the costs of their University stay and tuition fees, hence household income should really have nothing to do with it. Moreover, University students on Engineering/Science based courses will often do research work and hence those doing mathematics, history etc. will have to pay for those doing research in the sciences.
The key point is that no matter what course you do, the tuition fees will be the same; however they will vary depending on the calibre of University that you will apply to. So consider these options and look at how each University spends their money, on teaching or facilities and then make a judgement based on this and many other factors as to which University you would like to go to.