IELTS 7 Writing Model Essay (Free sample)
Test 4 Task 2 Question
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Test 4 Task 2 Model Essay by an Expert Two
The main function of a university, in my view, is to provide students with skills to help them to be productive citizens in the workplace. However, this does not mean that the content of a university course should be directed towards a certain career, since all university courses involve useful transferable skills.
In a knowledge-based economy where graduate jobs are in high demand, it is very important for universities to provide their students with the skills that they need to get a job, and then excel within their company. These skills might include communication skills, organisation, self-motivation, and the ability to prioritise one’s workload. I would argue, however, that every university course equips students with these skills, regardless of the content or subject of the degree. Working towards group projects develops communication skills, for example, and students need to learn to be self-motivated to succeed in their exams.
Indeed, knowledge intended to be relevant to a workplace isn’t necessarily a useful thing for universities to teach. It is difficult for universities to provide knowledge which will be relevant to all of their graduates’ potential workplaces, since different businesses and companies may work from different models. It makes more sense for graduates to learn relevant knowledge once they have a job in a particular company. What companies need from graduate employees are the skills and potential to learn at work, and to function as a successful employee.
It is impossible for a university course to be useless to an employer, since success at university means that the graduate has gained crucial skills. Providing knowledge is not the main function of a university; providing skills as students pursue knowledge should be its main priority.
(277 words)
