Opinion: Why university is worth it - A personal perspective from Coventry University Group Provost Ian Dunn

I joined Coventry University through Clearing. It wasn’t part of my original plan, but the opportunity came and I took it. That decision changed my life, and today I’m proud to serve as Provost of the university that gave me my start. So when I see headlines asking “Is university still worth it?”, I feel compelled to respond, not just as a senior leader but as someone who has experienced the transformative power of higher education first-hand.

The value of a degree in a changing world

Of course, university is about economic benefit but it’s also about personal development, wellbeing and satisfaction. It’s about gaining lifelong skills, building networks that will support your career. We don’t just teach degrees but also a set of defined graduate attributes designed to make our students job ready when they leave us. To reduce the debate to a simple “yes or no” is to miss the richness of what university offers.

At Coventry University Group, we’re constantly evolving our curriculum to meet future demands. From embedding digital literacy and AI awareness to offering hands-on, real-world learning, we’re preparing students to be career-ready graduates. Our Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework reflects the dedication of our staff in delivering these outcomes.

We’ve adapted our curriculum to prepare graduates for an AI-driven job market, not just to use AI, but to develop it. We’re educating and training students to embrace change, build flexibility and adaptability, and be part of the future. AI isn’t something to fear, it’s already part of our everyday lives, and our approach is to help students understand it, work with it and lead with it.

We’ve also reshaped our academic calendar to better suit modern life, with six intakes a year and flexible timetabling that recognises work, caring responsibilities and other commitments. It’s not about students adapting to university; it’s about the university adapting to future students.

I’ve taught many of our students and met countless alumni who’ve become global CEOs, founded countless businesses, large and small, won Commonwealth gold medals, worked on Oscar-winning creative projects and led change in their communities. Their journeys are a reminder that university is about more than qualifications, it’s about unlocking potential, building lifelong skills and supporting people into careers that benefit them, their communities and the wider economy.

Widening participation: Opening doors

One of the things I’m most proud of is our commitment to widening participation. We believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and we’re working to change that. Through outreach programmes, partnerships with schools and colleges, and tailored support for underrepresented groups, we’re helping more students access higher education and succeed. Indeed, right now we are working with a number of further education colleges to bring them into our education group. This will mean that we can extend the range of education and skills that we offer, the seamlessness of provision and reach into communities that are underserved by outstanding education.

This work is especially important in the context of rising costs. Yes, university is an investment and I wish it were as affordable as it was when I was a student. But the reality is that the country can’t fully fund that model anymore. What we have now is a system where repayments are made gradually over a working life, and where the state still contributes. We believe the state should play a greater role in funding education, especially in areas like healthcare and public service, where the societal benefit is direct.

Different routes to success

We also recognise that university isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. Apprenticeships, vocational training and direct entry into the workforce are all valid and valuable paths. We work closely with employers to support these routes and help students find what’s right for them.

But for those who do choose university, it’s more than academic knowledge. It’s about personal growth, building networks and developing and honing skills like critical thinking, communication, resilience and creativity; qualities that help you navigate an uncertain future with confidence.

We mustn’t write people off at 18 based on a set of examinations and tests. Everyone’s journey is different and higher education is a powerful part of that journey, whether it starts on results day, through Clearing or later in life.

I know this, because I’ve been there and proof that the right opportunity, at the right time, can change everything.

Get a feel for life at Coventry University by joining us at our Open Day this Saturday.