WestKing students join Martin Lewis for podcast on university finance

Students from Westminster Kingsway College had the chance to quiz finance expert Martin Lewis about managing the cost of university when they appeared on his podcast.

Haneen Graoui, Behram Khan and Jen Payne-Pemberton joined the financial journalist and broadcaster and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com for the BBC Sounds podcast.

All three students were invited to Broadcasting House to record the podcast where Martin shared his advice and answered their questions on all aspects of student finance.

University tuition fees in England are capped at £9.250 a year, which is usually covered by a student loan that is only paid back after university when graduates are earning over £25,000 a year.

A Level student Haneen, 19, and Applied Science diploma student Behram, 18, are planning to go to King’s College London, to study for a BEng (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering and a Medicine MBBS degree respectively.

Jen, 26, has just completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences and is looking to study a BA (Hons) in Primary Education at the University of Greenwich.

Speaking on the podcast, Martin said: “The cost of university is going to increase for most people in England from this year onwards. You are therefore going to pay back substantially more than you would under the current system.

“I think it is therefore worth anyone who wants to go to university taking real stock. If you’re just going because you don’t really know what else to do, then you have got to factor in that this is going to cost you afterwards and is it right for you? But if you know what you want, if you’re going into a career that absolutely needs a degree, my view is don’t let it [the cost] deter you from doing what’s right for you.

“If you haven’t made a decision, if you’re doing it by default, if you don’t know why you’re going to university, then absolutely look at the alternatives. Look at whether you could get an apprenticeship, look at whether the careers you’re going into actually need a degree.”

Listen to the podcast live here: The Martin Lewis Podcast

WestKing is part of Capital City College Group, which also comprises City and Islington College and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and apprenticeship and training provider Capital City College Training.

Carl Boyd, Assistant Principal for Academic Studies at WestKing, said: “Our students had the unique privilege of participating in Martin’s podcast and posing their well-thought-out questions to him in the studio.  It was an exciting and enriching experience for them, and they relished the chance to engage in such a dynamic and informative conversation.

“We would like to thank Martin and the BBC for providing this fantastic and invaluable opportunity for our students to empower them with knowledge about their finance at university. It was an unforgettable day, and I’m proud of our students’ active involvement and enthusiasm throughout the podcast. They truly made the most of this experience.”

Find out more about Careers Advice and Guidance at CCCG’s colleges, including support with university applications, work experience and employability here.

Find out more about Student Loans here.

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