University of Life - a realistic alternative?

With student fees and costs increasing and only 27% of graduates in August 2025* managing to secure a job in their field of choice and only 22% forecasted to ever pay back their student loan** it's no wonder 49% of parents feel University isn't value for money.*** With 71% of parents contributing on average of £8,723 per year† isn't there a better investment that could produce more positive results? My son is taking his A levels next year and he's already made his choice not to go to University and he's not alone, a recent survey by Prospects showed that only 52% of A level students saw University as their next step, down 59% on previous years. As it is we're building an online business for him with an apprenticeship as a back up and I thought could this not be a route for other students? The Idea Bridge is a consultancy that creates and sells unique online business concepts that could give your children a grounding in business, confidence in themselves and a potential legacy for the future. With concept selection tailored to each individual a packaged Start Up Pack will give them all they need to develop an online business. Keeping start up costs low with our payment on results system with a unique partner not client relationship it's an investment in their future that could return financial and emotional rewards not debt and an uncertain future.

The Idea Bridge unique business futures

Even back in 2021 160–180K UK graduates failed to enter their preferred sectors annually††. Is this good for your child? Especially if they become laden with debt for no reason. How do we break these odds? What are the alternatives? There's the OU and apprenticeships, which are changing from trade based to more traditional professional careers some up to Masters degree level (link to Free Guide with data). Combined with an online business for real world experience. Earn and learn. Is that not a better option? 

Against the odds.

The Idea Bridge give them a confident start

60% of young people aspire to own a business by the age of 30. My most successful school mates weren't career professionals but  business founders. Could setting up an online business do them any harm? Especially if combined with a modern apprenticeship or online degree. There's also an issue with the separation between academia and the real world with 38% of businesses reporting a lack of workplace readiness among graduates.†††  There's nothing more real world than running a real business - successful or not it will bring confidence and experience employees would recognise as clear assets. 

A better start.

The Idea Bridge - A future with returns

Financial contributions may not be the only way to have a hand in your children's future. Think of all the life experience you can give them and the breadth of support we could offer both in creating and supporting a new online business. A lasting legacy. That's my thoughts with my son. An investment that could bring returns not just the slim chance of a chosen career and a lifetime of student debt - has to be a better bet.

Family business.

* Financial Times August 2025.
**Government publication: 'Student Loans in England: Financial Year 2024-25'
***YouGov 'Parents-students-university-value Report' 2023.
† 'How parents are paying for University' Press release AIC/Opinium 2024.
†† HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 20/21.
††† CBI/Pearson Education & Skills Survey (2022).

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