Parents evenly divided on higher education’s value
London, UK, August 14 – University was once seen as the guaranteed route to a better future, but new research suggests that certainty is beginning to unravel. According to a study released today by Invicta Vita, the women-led career advancement and conflict resolution firm, UK parents are now evenly split on whether university was a worthwhile decision for their children: 44% say it was the best decision they ever made and 44% say it was the worst.
The findings underscore a growing generational tension between expectations and outcomes, particularly in today’s tough graduate job market. While degrees still hold symbolic value, many parents are now questioning whether the traditional higher education model delivers real-world career results.
The findings also arrive at a critical moment for the UK’s higher education sector, where UCAS admissions have already declined by 5% year-on-year. For parents, the doubt signals a growing shift in mindset, from viewing university as a non-negotiable milestone to questioning its value in a world where young adults were sold degrees as a guaranteed route to career success, only to graduate burdened with debt and facing a saturated job market that doesn’t match their qualifications.
“It’s a sobering moment,” says Georgina Badine, founder of Invicta Vita. “We’ve long encouraged university as the default path to success. But now, families are wondering: was it worth it? And what do we do when the degree doesn’t deliver?”
These real-world consequences were part of what inspired Badine to launch Invicta Vita. A former banker, she left the corporate world after witnessing widespread workplace inequality and burnout, and began informally supporting friends and colleagues in their career paths. Today, Invicta Vita offers tailored career support and conflict resolution services, backed by a team of expert mentors with experience in leadership, coaching, mental health, and communication.
“University will still be the right choice for many,” says Badine. “But we need to stop treating it as the only choice. Young people deserve more flexible paths to success, and better support in navigating them.”
Invicta Vita is powered by a collective of “career heroes”. A handpicked team of mentors including:
Rahul Aggarwal
Skills: Client Relations, Compassionate Communication, Business Strategy
Experience: 30+ years in business management across India, the Middle East, and the UK, specialising in cross-border investments and luxury property consultancy.
Rasika Lall
Skills: High-Pressure Environments, Women’s Empowerment, Sales Leadership
Experience: 25 years in sales leadership, currently Sales Lead at Accenture, empowering women in competitive workplaces.
Jowita Penkala
Skills: Stress Management, Burnout Recovery, Mental Health Advocacy
Experience: Motivational speaker and advocate, specialising in overcoming burnout and stress through transformational corporate training.
Raghav Parkash
Skills: Confidence Building, Public Speaking, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Experience: High Performance & Life Coach with 10+ years of experience, focusing on public speaking and self-confidence.
Joanne Bursford
Skills: Leadership Development, Customer Service, Empowerment
Experience: 35+ years in hospitality, specialising in leadership, customer service, and empowering individuals in high-pressure environments.
About Invicta Vita
Invicta Vita is a trusted, women-owned professional services firm based in London, specialising in career advancement and conflict resolution. Meaning “invincible life,” Invicta Vita is dedicated to helping individuals regain momentum and agency at any age. Whether it’s a graduate unsure where to begin, a parent re-entering the workforce, or a mid-career professional seeking reinvention, the organisation provides support grounded in experience and empathy.
