The link between education and money is complicated: universities need funding, but this can blur the line between education and business. Having studied at a British university and taught at a Czech one, I thought it would be interesting to compare how the two systems handle money — and how this affects students.
Paying for Higher Education in England
British students usually pay tuition fees with student loans. When I filled in my loan application, I didn’t think about debt. I didn’t understand interest rates or repayment plans. Everyone I knew was doing the same, so I assumed it would be fine.
Looking back, I wish someone had given me proper financial advice: “You don’t need the biggest loan. Borrow less, get a part-time job, or cut back on spending — you’ll be better off in the long run.” Instead, I received confusing spreadsheets filled with numbers that meant nothing to me.
The sense that university was more of a business than an institution for learning grew even stronger once I arrived. Seminars were overcrowded, lecturers didn’t know my name, and my student advisor was impossible to track down. When I finally met him, he gave me the wrong information about Erasmus, and I missed my chance to study abroad.
Most students kept their heads down, did what was required, and moved on. Maybe that’s what universities wanted — after all, anonymous students require less effort, and in the meantime, we were spending money at the student bar.
Once graduates earn above a certain threshold, they begin repaying their loans. If they get promoted, the repayments increase. Many never pay off the debt in full. I’m now over forty and still repaying mine. By the time I’m done (if I ever am), I’ll have paid the government far more than I borrowed.
Paying for Higher Education in the Czech Republic
Czech universities are free, so when I tell Czech stduents how much debt I carry from my studies, they assume I’m joking.
A system where anyone can attend university without financial burden may sound ideal, but there’s a downside. When education is free, many students don’t take it seriously. “Who cares what I study, I’m not paying for it.” “Who cares if I fail? I’ll just repeat the year.”
Czech professors are closely involved with their students, offering support that goes beyond academics and into personal matters. While well-intentioned, this level of guidance can feel like hand-holding, shielding students from the challenges they’ll eventually have to face. British students, for all the flaws in their system, at least gain a harsh but necessary understanding of money and debt. In contrast, many Czech students remain in a prolonged state of dependency, postponing the realities of adulthood.
Final Thoughts: Should Students Pay for Higher Education?
A good education system allows students to study subjects they care about, work towards careers they want, and understand the sacrifices involved. Right now, British students sacrifice financially for little clear benefit, while Czech students sacrifice time by repeating courses they’re not invested in. With this in mind, perhaps the real question isn’t whether higher education should be free, but how we can give high school graduates the information they need to avoid wasting their money or time.