IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay: Band 8 Sample Answer and Structure

It is often argued that governments should remove tuition fees so that every student can attend university without paying. I largely agree with this view, because free higher education widens opportunity and benefits the wider economy, although some limits are reasonable.

The strongest argument for free university is fairness. When fees are high, talented students from low-income families may avoid applying, not because they lack ability but because they fear debt. Removing this barrier means that places are decided by merit rather than by family wealth, which gives a country access to the full range of its young people's talent.

A second benefit is economic. Graduates in fields such as medicine, engineering and teaching provide services that society depends on, and they generally pay more tax over their working lives. Seen this way, public spending on tuition is an investment rather than a cost. It is true that funding every course for every applicant would be expensive, and taxpayers may question paying for degrees with little practical value. However, this problem can be managed by linking free places to entry requirements or to subjects with clear social need, rather than by charging everyone.

In conclusion, I believe university education should be free for most students, since it makes access fairer and returns long-term economic value, provided that governments set sensible limits on how the funding is used.