Subject Decision

Some people think that the government should decide the subjects for students to study at university. Others believe that students should be allowed to apply for the subject they prefer. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many people believe that policymakers should dictate the subjects that students can study, while others argue that undergraduate students should have the freedom to choose their courses based on their passions. Despite the seemingly valid arguments supporting the former viewpoint, I believe that students should have the right to select their fields of study.

Supporters of enforced university majors often point to socio-economic factors. Government-backed educational bodies have access to a nationwide employment database that details which particular sectors of the workforce require human resources. This necessitates the automatic assignment of individuals’ career paths to maintain the industrial balance. As the number of workers in varying industries is equally distributed, the workforce is likely to see declining unemployment rates and, therefore, sustainable economic growth in the aggregate. For example, the Japanese government has made psychology a compulsory module at the higher education level after analysing the demand for stress management consultants.

However, I would argue that students should enroll in the study programs that interest them. If college students had the opportunity to pursue their fields of choice with full commitment, the rates of failure and dropout would decrease. According to The Guardian, around 30% of UK undergraduates abandoned their degrees in 2018 due to government pressures to incorporate mathematics as a compulsory module, regardless of students’ career choices. Furthermore, the average student is more aware of their personal strengths and inclinations than anyone else. When studying a subject they have chosen, individuals can reach optimal academic performance, attain high grades, increase their employability, and later achieve success in their careers.

In conclusion, although some may argue that authorities should have control over the university curriculum, I believe that students should be able to decide their own career paths for a higher rate of success. This freedom of choice is likely to result in individual excellence.

---

Essay Breakdown

Structure

Introduction

[1] Many people believe that policymakers should dictate the subjects that students can study, while others argue that undergraduate students should have the freedom to choose their courses based on their passions. [2] Despite the seemingly valid arguments supporting the former viewpoint, I believe that students should have the right to select their fields of study.

1. Paraphrase the given topic.

2. Answer the question and state my clear stance. 

[2.1] Concessive clause – my less preferred viewpoint: Main topic sentence for Body 1

[2.2] My preferred viewpoint: Main topic sentence for Body 2

Body

Paragraph 1

[1] Supporters of enforced university majors often point to socio-economic factors. [2] Government-backed educational bodies have access to a nationwide employment database that details which particular sectors of the workforce require human resources. [3] This necessitates the automatic assignment of individuals’ career paths to maintain the industrial balance. [4] As the number of workers in varying industries is equally distributed, the workforce is likely to see declining unemployment rates and, therefore, sustainable economic growth in the aggregate. [5] For example, the Japanese government has made psychology a compulsory module at the higher education level after analysing the demand for stress management consultants.

1. A topic sentence showing the main idea

2. Explain the main point

3. Keep developing the main point

4. Continue developing

4. Provide an example to further clarify the main point

Paragraph 2

[1] However, I would argue that students should enroll in the study programs that interest them. [2] If college students had the opportunity to pursue their fields of choice with full commitment, the rates of failure and dropout would decrease. [3] According to The Guardian, around 30% of UK undergraduates abandoned their degrees in 2018 due to government pressures to incorporate mathematics as a compulsory module, regardless of students’ career choices. [4] Furthermore, the average student is more aware of their personal strengths and inclinations than anyone else. [5] When studying a subject they have chosen, individuals can reach optimal academic performance, attain high grades, increase their employability, and later achieve success in their careers.

1. A topic sentence expressing the main idea – stating clearly my opinion

2. Provide an explanation

3. Give an example to support the main idea

4. Continue developing

5. Arrive at an end-result

6. Provide an end result

Conclusion

[1] In conclusion, although some may argue that authorities should have control over the university curriculum, I believe that students should be able to decide their own career paths for a higher rate of success. [2] This freedom of choice is likely to result in individual excellence.

1. Restate my opinion 

2. Extend the viewpoint by stating a final thought 

Vocabulary

Many people believe that policymakers should dictate the subjects that students can study, while others argue that undergraduate students should have the freedom to choose their courses based on their passions. Despite the seemingly valid arguments supporting the former viewpoint, I believe that students should have the right to select their fields of study.

Supporters of enforced university majors often point to socio-economic factors. Government-backed educational bodies have access to a nationwide employment database that details which particular sectors of the workforce require human resources. This necessitates the automatic assignment of individuals’ career paths to maintain the industrial balance. As the number of workers in varying industries is equally distributed, the workforce is likely to see declining unemployment rates and, therefore, sustainable economic growth in the aggregate. For example, the Japanese government has made psychology a compulsory module at the higher education level after analysing the demand for stress management consultants.

However, I would argue that students should enroll in the study programs that interest them. If college students had the opportunity to pursue their fields of choice with full commitment, the rates of failure and dropout would decrease. According to The Guardian, around 30% of UK undergraduates abandoned their degrees in 2018 due to government pressures to incorporate mathematics as a compulsory module, regardless of students’ career choices. Furthermore, the average student is more aware of their personal strengths and inclinations than anyone else. When studying a subject they have chosen, individuals can reach optimal academic performance, attain high grades, increase their employability, and later achieve success in their careers.

In conclusion, although some may argue that authorities should have control over the university curriculum, I believe that students should be able to decide their own career paths for a higher rate of success. This freedom of choice is likely to result in individual excellence.

Vocabulary Highlight

• dictate the subjects: to give a command or order that something must be done or followed.
• have the freedom to choose their courses: the ability to choose what courses or subjects to study.
• automatic assignment of individuals’ career paths: the automatic assignment of career paths to individuals without considering their personal preferences or passions.
• declining unemployment rates and, therefore, sustainable economic growth: a decrease in the number of unemployed individuals and a stable growth in the economy.
• rates of failure and dropout: the percentage of students who fail or drop out of their courses.
• incorporate mathematics as a compulsory module: to make mathematics a mandatory subject for all students to study.
• optimal academic performance: the highest level of academic achievement or success possible for a student.
• employability: the ability to be employed or hired for a job.
• individual excellence: personal success or achievement in one’s chosen field or career.

Grammar Gems: 

CAUSATION

“As the number of workers in different industries is equally distributed, the workforce is likely to see declining unemployment rates and, therefore, sustainable economic growth in the aggregate”

The structure “As [clause], [independent clause]” is a complex grammar structure that shows causation between two actions. In this case, I use this structure to explain how enforced university majors can lead to a balanced workforce and sustainable economic growth.

Reading

Further reading can be found here:

https://essayforum.com/writing/government-choose-university-subject-students-25958/

Listening

Further listening can be found here: