The Brexit saga is draining so much oxygen from political debate that a range of other crucial policy areas are being hidden from the public spotlight. In normal circumstances, the funding and structure of higher education in Britain would be attracting far more attention. As the government’s consultation into student financing grinds on, there appears to be increasing disillusionment over the merits of spending three years securing a university degree — as well as nervousness among young people over their ability to repay the debt accrued upon graduation.

Although the rewards of attending university are not exclusively about career earnings, there is little doubt the prospect of enhanced wages are a key factor in the decisions made by school leavers. Committing to a three-year bachelor’s