Charlie Jeffery opinion piece August 2025
The Times published this opinion piece on Thursday 14 August 2025.
You can read a transcript below.
“Brilliant young people will shape our future”
Of all the aspects of my role as a University Vice-Chancellor, the one I cherish the most is following all the key milestones in our students’ journey - from open day visits and welcome week, all the way through to graduation. All the while, hearing their perspectives on the world and their aspirations for the future. Soon, I’ll have the pleasure of meeting a new cohort of first-years, right at the beginning of that journey. There is always a special kind of energy, it’s a mix of nerves and excitement, but most of all it’s buzzing with potential.
With many of you waiting for exam results that will shape your next steps, I want to tell you why – despite all the noise and naysayers – a university education remains one of the most powerful and transformative experiences you can have.
The journey through university is, at its heart, a profound act of personal transformation. It is often the first time a young person steps out into the world on their own terms. This is where you build resilience, learn independence and discover more about who you are. What are you passionate about? What change do you want to see in the world? University gives you the space to ask and answer these big questions.
Attending university exposes you to a vibrant mix of backgrounds, cultures and ideas. Much of what you learn will be from your peers – the friends you make in your college, halls of residence, in societies or on the sports field. At York, our students come from over 180 different countries, and this immersion into a diverse community is a brilliant preparation for a modern, global life.
Especially at a research-intensive university, you will also be inspired and encouraged to think differently, often by academics who are leading their field of expertise. Our academics are trying to answer the big questions of our time and push the boundaries of human knowledge. We are certainly proud of our credentials. York is one of only four UK universities – alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial – to be rated both Gold for teaching and top ten for research in the latest national assessment exercises (the Teaching Excellence Framework and the Times Higher Education rankings of the Research Excellence Framework). This combination of outstanding teaching and world-changing research creates an environment where students are challenged, inspired and prepared for the future.
At the core of university life is learning, but it’s not just about mastering a specific subject. It is an opportunity to learn how to learn. The world is changing rapidly and the jobs of tomorrow may not even exist yet. So taking a degree where you are in charge of developing the kinds of skills that will equip you for change, could very well be the most valuable currency in the modern world.
A degree is a pathway to a career in a field you find genuinely worthwhile. Many professions, from engineering to teaching to law, prioritise degrees, as do employers across the economy. A university education cultivates the critical thinking, persuasion and problem-solving skills essential for creativity and the high-tech digital economies of the future.
And at university you will be connected to students, academics and industry professionals across the world. At York, 93.5% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation, partly due to our personalised approach to career support. But more importantly, I believe our students understand the value of collaboration and different perspectives and become more engaged citizens. This sense of purpose is written into our DNA; the University of York was founded in 1963 with a powerful mission to serve the public good, and that principle still guides us today. Our students learn these skills not just in seminars, but by getting involved. With over 300 student-run societies and volunteering projects, we help you develop skills far beyond the classroom.
Choosing the right university and course is so important. I urge every prospective student to research the specifics of a course and speak to the students who are already at the universities you are interested in. Think about the kind of university you want to be part of, including the location and campus culture.
At York we foster a sense of community from day one. Our collegiate system means you’ll be welcomed into a smaller family within the wider university, providing support and friendship. It’s no accident that York was recently named the UK’s friendliest city; we are a community built on brilliant, passionate people.
Close to the action in York City centre, you also join a beautiful, historic city with a lively cultural scene including live music venues, a Festival of Ideas and (according to long-standing urban legend) a pub for every day of the year. But you also get the tranquility of our safe and inclusive campus, set within 500 acres of parkland. It’s a home we share with a remarkable amount of wildlife and biodiversity, including squirrels, rabbits, geese, swans and ducks. The legacy of Long Boi – our famously tall Indian runner duck who achieved national celebrity status – also lives on.
And if you are still unsure of your next steps when results day comes around, Clearing will give you a host of choices. It’s an accessible route for those still considering their options, designed to ensure students get the guidance and support they need to find the university that suits them best.
Choosing to go to university is an investment in a future that is richer in every sense. It opens doors to careers, but more importantly, it prepares you to contribute to society, pursue your passions and live a life of purpose. I am relentlessly optimistic about the future because I get to meet the brilliant young people who will shape it. I cannot wait to see what you will achieve.