The essay prompt
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, while others think that students should pay at least part of the cost. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
You have 20 minutes to write 200–300 words.
Essay type: Discuss both views. Give each view its own body paragraph, with a reason and an example, then state your own opinion in the introduction and conclusion.
A 3-minute plan
- Introduction: paraphrase the topic and give your position in one sentence.
- Body paragraph 1: your strongest reason, with an example.
- Body paragraph 2: a second reason, or the other side and why you still hold your view.
- Conclusion: restate your position in new words.
Model essay (233 words)
Who should pay for university education is a long-running debate. Some argue that it should be free for every student, while others believe students should contribute to the cost. In my view, a shared approach, with fees that are repaid only once graduates earn a reasonable income, is the fairest solution.
Supporters of free education argue that it gives everyone the same chance to study, regardless of their family's wealth. Fees can discourage talented students from poorer backgrounds, and graduates who leave university with large debts may delay buying a home or starting a family. Society as a whole also benefits from having more doctors, engineers and teachers.
On the other hand, universities are expensive to run, and graduates usually earn more over their lifetime than people without a degree. It therefore seems reasonable for them to contribute something. If education were completely free, taxpayers who never attended university would pay the full cost, and governments might have less money for schools and hospitals.
In my opinion, the best answer combines both views. Students could study without paying anything upfront, and repay part of the cost through the tax system once their income reaches a certain level. This protects access for low-income students while asking those who benefit most to contribute.
In conclusion, although free university education is an attractive idea, a fair repayment system offers a better balance between opportunity and cost.
Why this essay scores well
- Content: it answers the exact question and keeps to one clear position.
- Form: 233 words, inside the 200–300 range.
- Development, structure and coherence: 5 paragraphs, each with one main idea, linked with clear connectors.
- Grammar and vocabulary: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with topic vocabulary used accurately.
- Spelling: one consistent spelling style (Australian/British).
Now write your own
Write your answer to this topic in 20 minutes, then paste it into the free PTE essay checker for an instant estimated score on all 7 traits. Or practise with a random topic and a timer on the Write Essay practice page.
More topics: all PTE essay topics with model answers
Frequently asked questions
How long should a PTE essay be?
Between 200 and 300 words. Essays outside this range lose marks for Form, and essays under 120 or over 380 words score zero for Form. This model is 233 words.
Can I memorise this model essay?
No. Pearson says responses with memorised or pre-prepared material can score zero for content. Use the model to learn the structure and some useful phrases, then write your own answer.
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