Here's what most students get wrong about this question: they think picking a side means you have to destroy the other one. You don't. The best IELTS essays on university fees acknowledge both positions, then make a stronger case for one. That's what separates Band 7 from Band 5. Let me show you exactly how to do it with a full model answer and the specific moves that'll push your score higher.
IELTS loves education topics. Here's a typical Task 2 question:
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, regardless of their financial background. Others argue that students should pay for their own education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
You get 40 minutes. Most test takers spend 9 minutes planning, 28 minutes writing, and 3 minutes checking. Spend less than 8 minutes planning and your ideas scatter. Spend more than 12 minutes and you'll run out of writing time.
The "free university" camp says education is a public good. When more people graduate, the whole economy strengthens. Crime drops. Healthcare improves. These benefits belong to everyone, so everyone should fund them. Germany and Norway have pulled this off without economic collapse.
The "students pay" camp says cost creates accountability. If you've invested money, you take it seriously. Plus, governments have finite budgets. Billions on free tuition means less for hospitals, roads, primary schools. Someone pays. Why should a plumber's taxes fund a lawyer's degree?
Both have valid points. Your job isn't to pretend one side is stupid. Your job is to weigh them fairly, then pick the stronger one.
Introduction (60-80 words)
Education costs money. The question is who pays: students or the state. Supporters of free university argue it removes barriers and strengthens society overall. Opponents counter that personal financial investment encourages commitment and protects limited public budgets. While both views have merit, I believe governments should fund university education, as the long-term social and economic benefits outweigh the upfront costs.
Body Paragraph 1: The Case for Free University (100-120 words)
Proponents of free university emphasize equal access. When tuition is high, talented students from low-income families often abandon higher education entirely, creating a loss of potential. Beyond individual cases, free university produces a more educated workforce, which increases productivity and tax revenue. Countries like Germany have demonstrated that free tuition is sustainable when paired with other taxation policies. Additionally, graduates from free systems carry less debt, allowing them to spend money locally and contribute faster to economic growth.
Body Paragraph 2: The Case Against Free University (100-120 words)
Critics rightfully point out that "free" isn't actually free—taxpayers fund it. In many countries with limited budgets, massive university subsidies pull resources from primary schools or hospital infrastructure. They also argue that some students are wealthy enough to pay, and subsidizing their education is regressive. Furthermore, when students have no financial stake, dropout rates and course completion times can increase, wasting resources. Personal investment creates skin in the game, which can drive better outcomes.
Body Paragraph 3: Why Free University Wins (100-120 words)
However, the benefits ultimately outweigh these concerns. The upfront costs are real, but return on investment matters more. A more educated population generates higher tax revenues, reduces social problems, and improves public health, creating long-term savings. The concern about subsidizing wealthy students can be solved through income-based systems—you don't abandon free tuition entirely. Countries with free systems achieve higher graduation rates than tuition-based ones, proving that removing financial barriers doesn't destroy academic standards. Education as a right, not a commodity, reflects what a society actually values.
Conclusion (50-70 words)
In summary, while funding university through taxation creates real costs, the economic and social returns justify the investment. Free university removes barriers to talent, creates a more productive workforce, and reflects a commitment to opportunity. Governments should implement this policy while using targeted taxation to ensure wealthy students contribute fairly.
Let's break down what makes this IELTS model answer work using the official IELTS criteria:
Weak: "Free university is good because it helps poor people get educated and this is important for society because when people are educated they can get better jobs and earn more money which helps the economy grow."
This is vague and repetitive. The sentence is 46 words and could be four. Band 5 territory.
Strong: "Free university removes financial barriers, allowing talented students from low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education. This creates a more educated workforce, which boosts productivity and generates higher tax revenue for governments."
Clear idea. Logical flow. Two sentences, each doing work. Band 7 level.
Weak: "Some people say students should pay but I think this is wrong because education should be free for everyone."
You've stated an opinion but haven't explained why. Band 4 energy.
Strong: "While critics argue that personal investment encourages accountability, this concern can be addressed through targeted taxation ensuring wealthy students contribute fairly, without abandoning free tuition entirely."
You've acknowledged the opposing view and explained why you're not fully convinced. That's sophisticated reasoning. Band 7+.
Weak: "Free university is good in many ways. It is fair to all students. It helps the economy. Many countries do this."
Bland. Could apply to any education essay. No specificity. Band 5.
Strong: "Countries like Germany have demonstrated that free tuition is sustainable when paired with other taxation policies, while achieving higher graduation rates than tuition-based systems."
You've named a real country, stated a specific outcome, and included a comparison. Band 7.
Most students jump straight to writing. Don't. Use your first 8-9 minutes like this:
You now have a roadmap. When you write, you won't panic. You won't repeat ideas. You won't accidentally flip positions halfway through.
Pro tip: Write your conclusion before you start the body paragraphs. It takes 3 minutes and clarifies what you're actually defending. Examiners can tell when you've written the conclusion last and aren't sure what you said.
You don't need thesaurus words. You need consistency and precision. Here's what actually works:
Use each word once per essay. Repetition signals limited vocabulary range to examiners. Use "important" five times and you've hit the Band 6 ceiling.
Mistake 1: Treating both views as equally true. They're not. You need to decide which is stronger and defend it. Examiners want reasoned judgment, not neutrality.
Mistake 2: Writing a paragraph that ignores the opposing view. Your second body paragraph should mention the other side and explain why it's less compelling. This shows critical thinking, not blind ideology.
Mistake 3: Using the same sentence structure repeatedly. If every sentence is subject-verb-object, you signal Band 5. Vary length: "Education matters. But it costs money. Some believe governments should pay. Others disagree."
Mistake 4: Introducing new ideas in your conclusion. By the conclusion, examiners have already formed their band score. Don't surprise them with a fourth reason.
Don't just read this and assume you can write it. Practice actively:
Do this with three past IELTS writing questions before your test. You'll recognize patterns in how IELTS frames education topics and build real confidence in your structure.
If you want immediate feedback on your practice essay, our IELTS writing checker gives you instant band scores and line-by-line improvement suggestions. It's the fastest way to see what examiners actually look for.
Education essays follow the same structure, whether the question asks about free university, online learning, or vocational training. Once you master this framework, you can apply it to any IELTS Task 2 essay. For a deeper dive into how IELTS examiners actually score your work, our guide to IELTS band descriptors breaks down what each level actually means.
If you're targeting Band 7 specifically, you should also know that Band 7 in writing is different from Band 7 in speaking. Understanding why your writing and speaking scores often differ helps you focus your study time where it matters most.
Band 6 essays often state opinions but don't fully support them. Band 7 essays go further: they acknowledge the opposing view, explain why it has merit, then show why their position is stronger. This takes 40 minutes of careful planning and writing, not improvisation. Use a IELTS essay checker to see exactly where your current drafts fall short.
Write your essay using this structure, then get instant band feedback and specific improvements with our free IELTS writing checker.
Check My Essay