University is certainly not for everyone, but there certainly are a lot of benefits to be had from studying at a higher education institute and becoming a graduate.

One of the first things that may put you off university is the debt immediately associated with the student lifestyle. With top-up fees at some universities meaning that some charge tuition fees in excess of £3,000 a year, plus the cost of a standard maintenance loan, many students are now leaving university with debts of around £20,000.

Before you start doubting whether going to university is a priority for your future, it worth realising what you will get from becoming a graduate. Whilst you may be sceptical about the latest survey showing just how much more graduates earn, it would be prudent to take into account the findings of all such similar and numerous surveys going back a number of years. In general graduates earn far more than their contemporaries who passed A' levels (not just GCSEs) but who didn't go to university and get a degree. How much more?

Most surveys shows a graduate earnings advantage of over 20%.

If you are a female graduate then your earnings will be almost 40% higher than those female friends of yours who enter the labour market after passing A' levels alone. True this is partly because in an unequal world, women generally get paid less than men.

However this also means that female to male pay is closer to equality if you are a graduate.

Similarly, graduate employment rates are higher (or unemployment lower) than the general population, with graduates getting jobs quicker and more easily. For women, then there is an even greater advantage (over males), with female graduate unemployment being even lower.

So just as regards employment and earnings, the 'price' that student or graduation debt represents appears to be well worth it. If you then also consider the ability for you to choose and study a subject you have a real interest in or passion for, then going to university looks a very good option. Even so, you would be well advised to have a clear understanding as to how your student debt will be paid for and managed.

Most of you will borrow the majority of what you need to live and pay fees with from the Student Loans Company. However, with increasing costs (and probably rising tuition fees) the Government organised student loans scheme may not cover all of your money needs. Those living away from home and studying in London (the maximum loan available) don't get much more than four and a half thousand. Hardship and other grants don't take this much higher.

Other methods of reducing costs or increasing income include living at home and studying at your local university. This is fine if you still want to live at home with Mum and Dad and your 'local' offers a course you really want to do. Having a passion is really required if you are going to get through the required academic work and rigours.

Taking part-time and evening work can often be a false economy leading to poor academic performance and dropping out. You have to ask yourself whether such additional pressure is affecting your studies, let alone your social development, which is also meant to be an important part of any university experience.

Having discussed some of the advantages of a university degree as well as facing the costs or price, the only thing likely to hold you back is the fear of failure. It is a fact that some students decide half way through a course that it's not for them, or that they can not cope with the work, or simply 'drop out' or fail. What happens if you end up owing some or all of the debt without the resultant degree?

Even the fear of failure should be something you can cover. Ignore those who advise you not even to think about it, as there are products now available that allow you to not just insure against having your stereo stolen whilst at uni, but also against failing your course and being left with the debt.

In conclusion, going to university and successfully gaining a degree will see you owing a fairly hefty debt but with the ability to pay it off and earn higher pay for life. If you are female then a degree is also a route to higher pay and less pay discrimination, as well as greater employment opportunities. If you are frightened about failing, you can insure against it. On top of this the additional benefits of qualifying for and working within a field or profession that actually interests you, is something that will affect the quality of the whole of your working life. Then there are the friends, the parties, the challenges, and the thinking and learning you will encounter.

It is now almost impossible for you not to find a degree course that you can feel passionate about. The range of choices now available to applicants is huge. Be picky, talk to course tutors about their courses not just about your prospects of an offer, and get going. Discuss things with both those teachers you trust (as well as the ones you like) and your parents (as well as your other friends). Finally, enjoy yourself. University and degree study is not a holiday nor always easy, but it is an opportunity and enhancing experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

This article has been edited from an original version found on the Courses and Careers UK website. Please see external link

The article University: is it for you? originally appeared on 999 Today