Band 6+: Success is often measured in terms of how much money somebody has earned Do you think wealth is a good measure of success? How else could we measure whether somebody is successful or not? Given reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Whether the government should allocate funding exclusively to university students in fields deemed socially necessary has sparked ongoing controversy. While this approach may offer certain advantages, such as addressing labour market shortages and supporting students from lower-income backgrounds, I firmly believe the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits, as this policy can undermine academic freedom and reduce university enrolment.

Indeed, investing government money in high-demand disciplines does carry some benefits. Firstly, if tuition fees are covered, students would be encouraged to pursue tertiary education in areas such as engineering or healthcare, removing a financial barrier for those who might otherwise be reluctant to aim for higher education. Furthermore, graduates would enter the labour market with a stronger safety net, as their qualifications would directly respond to employer demand, making them more likely to reach their professional fulfillment and secure a stable wage.

However, this approach gives rise to noticeable drawbacks. The most significant is that restricting funding based on subject choice would constitute institutional discrimination against students whose field of expertise lies in areas not prioritised by the government. For instance, talented individuals in the arts or humanities, fields that foster critical thinking, would be ignored simply because they do not align with short-term labour market demands. Moreover, students who perceive their chosen careers offer no government support would opt out of university entirely, which would take its toll on long-term economic productivity and social mobility.

In conclusion, despite the benefits of directing students towards in-demand careers and supporting those with limited financial means, this policy not only discriminates against individuals whose talents lie outside government priorities but also risks reducing university participation. On balance, I am firmly convinced that the disadvantages clearly outweigh the advantages. For this reason, governments ought to invest in making higher education accessible across all disciplines, while addressing labour shortages.