I was very fortunate to be able to go to university in the era of student grants from the local council. Queuing up for my cheque at the start of each term became a ritual.
I supplemented the student grant through betting, which I was much better at back in those days! It seemed easier somehow back then.
I aimed to win something like £30 a week, which doesn’t sound much now but it was in those days. Food was much cheaper and a pint cost less than £1 in the student union bar (and was not much more expensive in the pubs).
I did take out a small student loan in my final year, which I paid off in one lump sum when the Student Loan Company came calling.
I would think twice about the situation today. I don’t believe it is a good idea for young people to get thousands of pounds into debt for a degree of questionable value and with no guaranteed job at the end of it all.
It is probably only worth going to university today to do a STEM subject.