My generation (only slightly older than you) had very few people getting a free university education, because those at secondary modern schools left at 15 straight into work, and those that went to a grammar school, only the top 2% went to university. The rest of us left at 16, with perhaps 10%...
Portugal and Belgium also. It's amusing as I'm sure they haven't left the EU to do so.
The only country to leave the EU is the one not lowering nor removing VAT despite a promise to do so. It's almost like they were lying.