1. Can everyone go to university?

2. In pairs discuss and write down your ideas.
What barriers might there be for going to university? How could these be overcome?
In pairs discuss and write down your ideas.
Feedback after discussion in pairs

3. ‘University is only for the rich’
Session aims:
To evaluate the potential financial barriers to attending university and how they could be overcome.
To develop communication and teamwork skills through taking part in a debate.
Could discuss the statement as a group prior to splitting into teams for debate.

4. What does a good debate look like?
Clear communication.
Reasons given for arguments.
Linking arguments to points from the other side.
Calm but impassioned.
Well researched.
Watch video first and ask for feedback on what was and was not good about the debate. Following this, go through the bullet points and remind groups to consider this when preparing for the debate.

5. What skills do we learn from debate?
These are all skills valued by universities and employers.
Communication
Teamwork
Critical thinking
Analysis
Problem solving
Using evidence
Justifying arguments
Before going through the list ask for ideas from the group.

6. Creating your arguments
Read through the information and choose the arguments which support your side of the debate.
Use the building an argument sheet to help you.
Don’t forget to consider arguments the other team might present, and how you will argue against them.
10 minutes
End

7. Opening Statement
Each group will have two minutes to give their opening statement before the debate begins.
This is a summary of your key arguments and a chance to make a good first impression.
Your opening statement should be:
Clear
Passionate
Supported with evidence
10 minutes
End

8. Debate Rules ‘University is only for the rich’ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Should have at least five but can add more if appropriate for the group. Example rules could be not talking over others, not swearing, not using personal details of others in your arguments. Keep this slide up for the duration of the debate.
May want to also remind of the features of a good debate, can revisit slide 4 if they need a reminder.
At this stage you will need to choose two moderators who will decide who wins each point. May want to give them a mini whiteboard and pen to keep track of this, or use flipchart paper or similar.

9. And the winner is…

10. Congratulations!

11. Information gathered from:
The Guardian
The Independent
Universities UK
Fair Education Alliance
For further information: