I'm in my second year at college and am applying to Universities. I have always had the idea of going to Uni in my mind and really want to get a degree. I know there are quite a few people whom I follow on Twitter at University and they love it. However, there is one thing I cannot get over. Money. It's going to be difficult for me to rack up to £30k debt for a degree, and be paying it off my whole life. (Slight exaggeration but you can catch my drift).

I have found an alternative. My college runs HND programs. In case you don't know, a HND is the first two years of a Degree. This means I can go off to almost any University to complete the last year and get a degree. In short, here's a list of the pro's and con's to both University and staying at home.

University Pros

• The experience, Uni is one helluva place to be, I'm told.
• The people, so many people in the same place.
• The degree, it's kinda important I guess

University Cons

• Away from home, friends, family, jobs, memories. Could be hard to adapt.
• Money. £30k of debt before I have a job seems really steep.
• What if I don't want to come back?

HND Pros

• Essentially won't cost me anything.
• Friends will still be here (they're definitely doing the HND)
• Tutors are really good. I'm used to their style of teaching.
  
• More personal tutoring, no 200-seater lecture halls.
• We're planning a tour of Australia, the perfect way to end our first year.
• I could get myself a car and a motorcycle. Uni would only have place for one.
• Have a HND and a degree after a top up year.
• Could go onto either a Final Year Computer Science degree or Final year Software Engineering.
• Would not hesitate to start my own company, since there's no debt.
• Could still move out with all my mates.
  

HND Cons

• No prestige in Shrewsbury College / Staffordshire University compared to say, Cardiff or Kent.
• The content differs slightly. It includes Networking, I hate networking.
• Bad memories/people are still here. (Not that bad, just bad enough to annoy you).
• My great aunt. (Don't ask, just know she's 84 and very old-fashioned).
• The college has always been in the shadow of the local Sixth Form
• I might have to move to get a 'better' (read: perfect) job.
  

Ok, so given the pros and cons of each route to get a degree, which one do you think would be best? After writing all that down I am starting to think the HND would be much better. Please someone talk me into or out of one of these options. :)

I'll be sending this out on Twitter and Facebook. Showing my friends who are at Uni, and my friends on the HND course, and yes, even one of the lecturers.