The Moral Dilemma Of Oxbridge Essays' Graduate Writing Scheme
One of the greatest moral issues in higher and advanced education today is the use of graduates to write papers, test materials, and study sheets for current students. The most prominent programme in the United Kingdom today comes from Oxbridge Essays, a university writing centre established in 2005. Oxbridge Essays has created an incentive programme for graduate students and postgraduate professionals for the 2007-2008 academic year which pays out 10,000 pounds plus scholarships in exchange for the expertise of these workers in the form of writing. Contracted writers through Oxbridge Essays are expected to produce a certain number of “model essays” each month to gain monthly payment.
The company has defended its services to students at Oxbridge by saying that it is beneficial to everyone involved. Students can purchase a model essay in a variety of academic areas for a small fee, helping them in the same way that study guides or sample tests help them prepare for exams. Graduate students who are unable to afford tuition and fees for school are able to take care of these obligations and earn money on the side by using their expertise to help students. Universities and publishers can cut back on the study materials they provide to students and ensure a certain level of quality by hiring only the best writers through Oxbridge Essays.
There are plenty of detractors of the Oxbridge Essay model of providing samples to determined students. One of the largest bodies representing students in the UK, Universities UK, has come out vehemently against graduate writing schemes. The student-oriented organization feels that Oxbridge Essay and other companies are exploiting graduate students by providing a pittance for their hard work and academic freedom. In addition to exploitative issues, UK Universities feels that model essays can be too easily plagiarized by purchasing students. Finally, the organization has fielded complaints by graduate students that say that graduate writing organizations aren’t paying their wages in a timely manner.
The ethical arguments aside, many graduate students are flocking to graduate writing schemes to help pay for school. Rising tuition costs and fees associated with graduate school can be prohibitive for intelligent students without means. John Toster, the director of Oxbridge Essay’s Postgraduate Sponsorship Scheme, says that graduates can find fewer jobs that allow them to gain writing experience while helping them pay off their financial obligations. The debate over writing schemes will continue throughout the UK but it seems likely that the trend will continue as costs rise for advanced education.