, ENG1503
PORTFOLIO SEMESTER 2
DUE DATE: 1 OCTOBER 2026
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Write a 500-word argumentative essay responding to the statement:
“Getting a university degree is well worth the cost.”
Take a clear position for or against the statement. Support the argument with evidence from
the prescribed sources and relevant examples from personal or professional experience.
Integrate the evidence in your own words and provide the prescribed sources in full Harvard
referencing style.
(TWO ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Getting a University Degree Is Well Worth the Cost
The decision to pursue a university degree represents a substantial investment of both time
and financial resources. Students may incur expenses related to tuition, learning materials,
transportation and accommodation, while some may rely on educational loans to complete
their studies. Nevertheless, higher education can provide significant long-term benefits
through the acquisition of specialised knowledge, professional skills and improved access to
employment opportunities. Therefore, obtaining a university degree can be regarded as a
worthwhile financial investment when the qualification is carefully selected and contributes
to sustainable career development.
One of the principal arguments supporting the financial value of university education is its
potential contribution to future earnings. Mohd Nahar and Nur Nadhira (2020) examine the
economic benefits associated with Malaysian university degrees and demonstrate why
tertiary education is increasingly regarded as a pathway towards improved economic
circumstances. Students frequently invest in higher education because they anticipate that
PORTFOLIO SEMESTER 2
DUE DATE: 1 OCTOBER 2026
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Write a 500-word argumentative essay responding to the statement:
“Getting a university degree is well worth the cost.”
Take a clear position for or against the statement. Support the argument with evidence from
the prescribed sources and relevant examples from personal or professional experience.
Integrate the evidence in your own words and provide the prescribed sources in full Harvard
referencing style.
(TWO ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Getting a University Degree Is Well Worth the Cost
The decision to pursue a university degree represents a substantial investment of both time
and financial resources. Students may incur expenses related to tuition, learning materials,
transportation and accommodation, while some may rely on educational loans to complete
their studies. Nevertheless, higher education can provide significant long-term benefits
through the acquisition of specialised knowledge, professional skills and improved access to
employment opportunities. Therefore, obtaining a university degree can be regarded as a
worthwhile financial investment when the qualification is carefully selected and contributes
to sustainable career development.
One of the principal arguments supporting the financial value of university education is its
potential contribution to future earnings. Mohd Nahar and Nur Nadhira (2020) examine the
economic benefits associated with Malaysian university degrees and demonstrate why
tertiary education is increasingly regarded as a pathway towards improved economic
circumstances. Students frequently invest in higher education because they anticipate that
