Some people believe that governments should pay full course fees

IELTS Band 9 Essay About governments should pay full course fees for students

Here we take a look at a band 9 Ielts writing task 2 sample about “Some people believe that governments should pay full course fees”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.

Sample Essay (Band 9)

Some people believe that governments should pay full course fees for students who want to study in universities.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The idea that governments should cover the full cost of university education is a contentious issue that has sparked widespread debate. While some argue that this policy would promote equality and accessibility, others believe it would place an unsustainable financial burden on the state. In my opinion, I strongly agree that governments should subsidize university fees, as the benefits to society far outweigh the costs.

One of the most compelling reasons for government-funded university education is the promotion of social mobility. By removing financial barriers, students from low-income families would have the opportunity to pursue higher education, which is often a prerequisite for well-paying jobs. For example, countries like Germany and Norway, where tuition fees are largely covered by the state, have higher rates of university enrollment among disadvantaged groups. This not only reduces inequality but also ensures that talent is not wasted due to financial constraints.

Moreover, investing in education yields significant long-term economic benefits. A well-educated workforce is essential for driving innovation, increasing productivity, and maintaining global competitiveness. When governments fund university education, they are essentially investing in the future of their economy. For instance, graduates in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology contribute directly to societal progress and economic growth. The returns on this investment, in the form of higher tax revenues and reduced social welfare costs, often justify the initial expenditure.

However, critics argue that fully subsidizing university fees could lead to overcrowding in higher education institutions and a devaluation of degrees. While these concerns are valid, they can be mitigated through careful planning and stringent admission criteria. For example, governments could limit the number of subsidized spots to match labor market demands, ensuring that graduates have viable career prospects.

In conclusion, I believe that governments should cover the full cost of university education, as it promotes social mobility, reduces inequality, and generates long-term economic benefits. While challenges such as overcrowding must be addressed, the overall advantages make this policy a worthwhile investment for any society.

Academic Vocabulary Words in the sample for some people think that children should be taught how to become good parents at school.

Contentious (/kənˈtɛnʃəs/)
- Sentence: The issue of government-funded education is highly contentious in many countries.
Prerequisite (/ˌpriːˈrɛkwɪzɪt/)
- Sentence: A university degree is often a prerequisite for securing high-paying jobs.
Inequality (/ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/)
- Sentence: Government-funded education can help reduce inequality by providing equal opportunities for all.
Stringent (/ˈstrɪndʒənt/)
- Sentence: Stringent admission criteria can prevent overcrowding in universities.
Overcrowding (/ˌəʊvəˈkraʊdɪŋ/)
- Sentence: Without proper planning, free university education could lead to overcrowding in institutions.

Advanced Grammar Structures

While some argue that…
- This concessive clause introduces a contrasting viewpoint, demonstrating the writer’s ability to consider multiple perspectives, which is crucial for a high band score.
By removing financial barriers…
- The use of a prepositional phrase at the beginning of the sentence adds variety to sentence structure and emphasizes the cause-effect relationship.
For example, countries like Germany and Norway…
- The use of a specific example strengthens the argument by providing concrete evidence to support the claim.
When governments fund university education…
- The use of a conditional clause (“When governments fund…”) adds complexity and specificity to the argument.
While these concerns are valid…
- This concessive clause acknowledges potential counterarguments, demonstrating balance and critical thinking, which are essential for a high band score.

These advanced grammatical structures contribute to the essay’s coherence, cohesion, and lexical resource, all of which are critical for achieving a Band 9 score.

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