State and students ‘should bear cost’ of third-level education

The public believes the State should pay at least half the share of third-level education fees, with a quarter funded by students and their families and the remaining balance from businesses.They are the findings of a poll of more than 1,000 adults conducted by the Higher Education Authority into public perceptions of the third-level system.While there has been debate about whether students should pay for third level through a student loan scheme, these results indicate broad public support for the status quo.A big majority, in excess of 80 per cent, believe third level equips graduates for life and the workplace. But current third-level students are less likely to feel that colleges have been successful at preparing graduates for the world of work.On the question of whether the sector receives enough funding, just over half feel third level is either well, or adequately funded. Current third-level students are more likely to feel third-level institutions are well supported. But nearly 40 per cent say colleges are poorly funded which increases significantly among those with advanced degrees, such as master’s, or PhDs.The Kantar Millward Brown survey notes it is possible that because advanced degree holders have longer exposure to the Irish third-level education system, they are more aware of potential funding shortfalls.