Education
Question 1
The effective funding of higher education is a significant issue facing
most advanced economies. Providing education is a highly expensive
activity, though the benefits are hard to quantify.
- To what extent is higher education a good example of a merit good?
- Using a diagram, show the effects of subsidising university places.
- Evaluate the case for students paying the full cost of their
university tuition during the duration of their course
Question 2
A government has recently conducted research into the long-term benefits
of education. It estimates that, if students paid the full fees, the
following would chose to go to university. It is also estimated that the
real net private benefit to students is 20% more than they realise and
that the benefits to society in general are a further 30% higher.
| Tuition fees per year (£) | Demand for places (000) | Supply of places (000) |
| 14,000 | 100 | 300 |
| 12,000 | 150 | 250 |
| 10,000 | 200 | 200 |
| 8,000 | 250 | 150 |
| 6,000 | 300 | 100 |
| 4,000 | 350 | 50 |
| 2,000 | 400 | 0 |
Use graph paper to:
-
Plot the market demand and supply and show the free ‘market’ price (fee) and quantity (of places)
-
Calculate the ‘socially optimal level of demand’ at each price level, and plot this on the graph.
-
Show the new socially optimal number of students and the fee needed to get this number going into university.
-
Evaluate methods to achieve the socially optimal level of higher education.