GAZING into our crystal ball, there may be an unintended benefit out of the rise in university fees planned for 2012.

Those looking at their A-Level results yesterday are the lucky last under the old fees structure – although it means no gap year if they want to qualify.

It is forcing their hand somewhat, but there is a third way.

A significant body of would-be students may decide they don’t want the mountain of debt the new fees will mean – and decide they would be better off in the long run heading straight into a job.

We are not suggesting this is a good fit for all.

But it is a fact that university is not the best thing for everyone who currently goes.

Taking a gap year now and finding a good job may work well in the long term for some of our best and brightest.

And for some businesses it can only widen and improve the potential pool of young recruits they can bring in to benefit their companies.

But the message is much the same as previous years to all those who got their results: this is an important step in your life, but only a step.

Work out where you, rather than anyone else, want to go in life and work towards achieving it.