IELTS Writing Task 2: Free University Education (Band 9 Sample)

Whether higher education should be provided free of charge is a long-running debate. Although making universities entirely free raises genuine funding concerns, I largely agree that education at this level should be available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

1. Why free education is desirable

The strongest argument is one of fairness and opportunity. When university is expensive, talented students from poorer families are often deterred by the fear of debt, so society loses the doctors, engineers and teachers they might have become. Free education removes that barrier and allows people to be judged on ability rather than wealth. Moreover, a well-educated population benefits the whole country: graduates tend to earn more, pay more tax and drive innovation, so the initial public investment is repaid many times over.

2. Acknowledging the funding problem

The obvious objection is cost. Free tuition must be paid for somehow, usually through higher taxes, and critics argue it is unfair to ask those who did not attend university to subsidise those who did. This is a fair concern. However, it can be addressed through a progressive tax system, in which the graduates who benefit most contribute most once they are earning, rather than by charging fees up front that put off the poorest.

In conclusion, while the funding challenge is real, I strongly agree that university should be free, because education is one of the fairest and most productive investments a society can make in its own future.