EducationOpinion (Agree / Disagree)
IELTS Essay: Should University Be Free? (Band 9 vs 6.5)
In short
Below is a full Band 9 model answer to this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the same question written at Band 6.5, and a criterion-by-criterion breakdown of exactly what separates them — so you can see what to change in your own writing. Then check your essay with the free tool.
The question
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
How to approach a Opinion (Agree / Disagree) question
For an agree/disagree question, decide your position before you write and make it unmistakable in the introduction. You can fully agree, fully disagree, or partially agree — all are fine — but you must then defend that single position consistently across both body paragraphs. The most common Task Response error here is sitting on the fence: giving arguments for both sides without ever committing to a view.
The plan
- 01Introduction — paraphrase the statement and state a clear position (mostly agree, while noting the cost)
- 02Body 1 — free tuition removes cost barriers and improves social mobility
- 03Body 2 — an educated population is a public good; concede the fiscal cost and rebut it
- 04Conclusion — restate that the social and economic gains justify the cost
Band 9 model answer
Whether higher education should be funded entirely by the state is a question that divides opinion sharply. While I acknowledge the considerable financial strain that free tuition would place on public budgets, I firmly believe that the benefits of removing cost barriers to university outweigh this drawback.
The most compelling argument for free university education is that it levels the playing field. When tuition is expensive, talented students from low-income families are often deterred from applying, or else graduate burdened with debt that shapes every subsequent decision they make. A system funded through general taxation, by contrast, ensures that a place at university is determined by ability and effort rather than by a family's bank balance — which is surely how a fair society ought to allocate opportunity.
Beyond fairness, an educated population is a public good rather than a private luxury. Graduates tend to earn more, pay more tax, and contribute the skills that drive innovation, so the state arguably recoups its investment many times over. Critics reasonably counter that free tuition is enormously costly and that not every degree yields such returns; a sensible response would be to prioritise funding for fields of genuine social need. Even so, treating education as an investment rather than an expense reframes the debate entirely.
In conclusion, although free university education carries a real fiscal cost, I believe the gains in social mobility and long-term national prosperity more than justify it. A country that educates its citizens according to their potential, not their wealth, is ultimately investing in its own future.
The same question at Band 6.5
Nowadays, many people think that university education should be free for all the students. In my opinion, I agree with this idea because education is very important for everyone and it can help the society to develop.
Firstly, free university education is good because it gives chance to poor students. Many students want to study in university but they cannot because they don't have enough money. If the education is free, these students can also study and get a good job in the future. This is very helpful for them and their families.
Secondly, when more people go to university, the country will develop. Educated people can do better jobs and they can pay more tax to the government. Also they can make new technology which is good for the economy. However, some people say that free education is very expensive for the government. But I think the government should spend money on education because it is important.
In conclusion, I agree that university education should be free for all students because it helps poor students and it is good for the country. The government should try to make education free for everyone.
What separates them, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Band 9 | Band 6.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Takes a clear, nuanced position, develops two well-reasoned arguments, and concedes the counter-argument (cost) before rebutting it. | Answers the question with a clear opinion, but the ideas stay general and underdeveloped, and the counter-argument is mentioned then dropped rather than addressed. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Ideas flow and build on one another; cohesion is varied and unobtrusive ('by contrast', 'Beyond fairness', 'Even so'). | Clear paragraphs, but linking is mechanical and repetitive ('Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Also'), and several sentences simply list ideas. |
| Lexical Resource | Precise, flexible vocabulary and collocation ('levels the playing field', 'recoups its investment', 'social mobility'). | Adequate but limited and repetitive ('good', 'important', 'helpful'); leans on simple, high-frequency words. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | A wide range of complex structures, used accurately with only occasional slips. | Mostly simple and compound sentences; noticeable errors ('gives chance', 'which is good for the economy') that rarely impede meaning. |
Examiner's note
The two answers respond to the same question, but the Band 9 version wins on every criterion: a nuanced position with a genuine concession, ideas that build rather than list, and precise, varied language. The Band 6.5 is competent and on-topic — it would pass many requirements — but repetition, mechanical linking, and simple structures are exactly the ceiling most candidates need to break through.
Vocabulary from the Band 9 answer
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to level the playing field | to make competition fair for everyone |
| social mobility | the ability to move to a higher social/economic position |
| a public good | something that benefits society as a whole |
| to recoup an investment | to get back money that was spent |
| to be deterred from | to be discouraged from doing something |
| to allocate opportunity | to distribute chances (e.g. of study or work) |
| fiscal cost | the cost to public/government finances |
| to reframe the debate | to change how an issue is viewed |
Frequently asked questions
How do you answer an "agree or disagree" question in IELTS Writing Task 2?
State a clear position in your introduction and defend it consistently through both body paragraphs. You can fully agree, fully disagree, or partially agree — all are acceptable — but the examiner must know exactly where you stand. Support each reason with explanation and a specific example, and restate your position in the conclusion.
Is it OK to partly agree in an IELTS essay?
Yes. A partial (“to some extent”) position is perfectly valid and often more realistic, as long as you make it precise — say exactly what you agree and disagree with, and structure the essay around that. What loses marks is being vague or arguing both sides without ever committing to a view.
How many words should this Task 2 essay be?
At least 250 words; writing fewer is penalised on Task Response. Around 260–290 words is the sweet spot — enough to develop two arguments fully without rushing, while leaving time to check your work. The Band 9 model above is roughly 290 words.