It was A-level results day. Across the country, teenagers were refreshing UCAS, parents were on edge, and university prospectuses were being dusted off. For many, it felt like the only path. But is it?
Two decades after Tony Blair pledged to send half of Britain’s young people to university, that ambition has been achieved. Yet instead of a golden ticket, today’s graduates often find themselves saddled with decades of debt, facing a tougher job market, and navigating an uncertain future where AI and economic pressures rewrite the rules of work.
The uncomfortable truth? A degree is no longer the automatic passport to prosperity it once was.
A Broken Promise
University was meant to mean higher pay, social mobility, and opportunities unavailable to previous generations. But reality paints a harsher picture, according to this weekend’s Telegraph.
- Debt for life: A typical graduate will leave university with £53,000 of debt, paying 9% of their income above £25,000 for 40 years. That’s not a loan – it’s a tax on ambition.
- Shrinking opportunities: Entry-level jobs are drying up. Since the release of ChatGPT, graduate vacancies have dropped by a third. Even the Big Four have cut roles.
- Flatlining wages: The graduate pay premium has shrunk, while many end up in jobs that don’t even require a degree.
Imagine starting life at 21 with financial shackles that may only come off at retirement. For many, that’s reality.
Case Study: James, the Reluctant Graduate
James studied hard, got his degree, and landed a job in consulting. On paper, he was winning. In practice, he felt trapped. Nearly half of every pay rise disappeared into tax and student loan repayments. His dream of saving for a home drifted further away.
Meanwhile, his friend Chloe skipped university. She learned coding online, built a YouTube following teaching others, and now earns more than James – without debt.
This is not to dismiss higher education altogether. Some careers demand it. But for many, the one-size-fits-all “go to uni” mantra simply no longer works.
The Graduate GAME Plan
So, what’s the alternative? Enter the Graduate GAME Plan™ – a holistic framework to help young people design their lives first, then their money.
G – Goals: What do you want your life to look like in 5, 10, 20 years? Not just career, but lifestyle, values, and purpose.
A – Actions: Build habits, overcome obstacles, and experiment with pathways – apprenticeships, side hustles, skills training.
M – Means: Understand your financial and human capital. Your time, talents, and energy are assets. Manage them like wealth.
E – Execution: Put your plan into practice with accountability, reflection, and adjustments as life evolves.
For less than a tenner, young people can access the Graduate GAME Plan bundle. It’s not about telling them not to go to university – it’s about making sure they go in with eyes wide open and a life plan that puts them in control.
A Wealth Planner’s Perspective
As holistic wealth planners, we see the bigger picture. Money is just one dimension of wealth. True wealth is about freedom, choice, and alignment with your values.
If a degree helps achieve that – wonderful. But if it’s a knee-jerk step into lifelong debt without clarity, then we’re failing the next generation.
Our role is not to criticise university but to empower young people to see all their options – and to give them tools to thrive regardless of the path they choose.
The Call to Action
University may or may not be right for you. But either way, don’t step onto that path without a map. The Graduate GAME Plan is that map.
For the price of two coffees, it could be the most valuable investment a young person ever makes.
Because in today’s world, the real degree you need is in knowing yourself – and planning your life before planning your money.
👉 Learn more about the Graduate GAME Plan and start building your future today.
Because when the system shuts you out, you don’t have to wait. You can build your own way forward.
Link to Graduate GAME Plan Shop Item
Join the M-Power Movement
What’s in it for you?
- Empowerment: Learn how to manage your money and grow your wealth with confidence.
- Entrepreneurship: Discover tools and support to turn your ideas into thriving businesses.
- Community: Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations dedicated to financial freedom for all.
How to Get Started:
- Join Our Community: Access free resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Book a Call: Speak with an expert to explore how we can support your journey to financial independence.
- Spread the Word: Help us build a global movement by sharing this vision with your network.
Together, we can redefine what financial planning means, transforming it from a service of dependency into a tool of empowerment. The M-Power Movement is not just about creating wealth; it’s about creating a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Are you ready to take control of your financial future?
Join us today and be part of this transformative journey.
Visit www.PlanningMy.Life.
Academy of Life Planning 