Univeristy in the UK - Waste of time??

Question

I am a 27 year old graduate and once again have to put up with seeing all the A Level results hype. But is university what it used to be, I have a media degree and will be the first to admit that it is useless. i Have met so many people going to university to study philosophy or English - and they have no idea what they want to do with their future. Are schools convincing students that going to university is the only way to success. In my experience the less academic kids who left school at 16 earn a s**t load more money than most graduates. But im thinking that no 18 year olds seem to know what awaits them on their uni graduation.

I will add that people studying architecture or medicine or something like that - hats off to you, one of the few degrees that people wont laugh at.

norn_06: you are an example of what im talking about - thank good they got rid of grants, especially when someone goes to university to "fill the time".

Kitten: i agree when you say about university building character and independence but you sound like you have believing all the stuff about "it looks good on your cv". When 100,000 people have the same thing on their cv it kind of loses some clout.

pronney: i am certainly not a mature student. One of those guys in their mid 40s who have 9 degrees and cant wire a plug!!! I am now a construction manager and making a fortune. :)

Answer 1

Once upon a time you went to university to study the subjects you required to help you attain the job you wanted. Now they are just like another 'o' level. Politicians and education guru's just want headline making news.
Lets not kid anyone. Every person in university is one less on the dole line. Why do we have 10,000 people studying media studies or drama, where are they going to work.
I hope also that the asker of the question is now doing something worth while and is not a sponging, so called,(MATURE STUDENT)
What do you say to a philosophy graduate? "BIG MACK AND FRIES PLEASE"

Answer 2

I'm in university in Ireland studying English, Sociology&Politics for my degree. It is a three year course and im going into my final year in September. Whether university in the UK is different than in Ireland i don't know but ill give my opinion anyway.
I don't think going to university is a waste of time. Apart from the course work you learn a lot more social skills, make friends and perhaps join societies that look good on your CV and may make the difference between securing a good job in the future and not.
Although i agree with you when you say studying for an English degree etc does not secure you a job straight away upon graduating it is a degree none the less and there is plenty of masters and postgraduate degrees you can take upon graduating. Even when applying for a part time job anywhere stating that you have a degree shows your character and you might get the job over somebody who does not have a degree.
University isn't for everybody but going and securing a degree in anything is a major achievement. University isn't all about getting a job that pays well. In university you have the freedom that you never had in school (well at least i didn't) to build your character and find out what you really like and want to pursue for the rest of your life.If the only thing you got out of university was that then i say it was well worth it. Life isnt all about money after all.

Answer 3

The U K has some fine schools, London School of economics is world class, also drama, business,
journalism are well respected, among others. Mathematics and physics are well respected.
Sure the kid dropout makes a bundle for a while, maybe even a little more than the univ grad but at some point the grads earns will jump way ahead. The grad will make double or more what the dropout makes in a lifetime. Also the grad might be doing work in foreign countries, travelling, supervising oThers, designing, building, learning to run companies, etc. The dropout might be a foreman or lead man, maybe even a union rep. The work is dull, repetitive, and not at all exciting. Working conditions are not good. The grad will have a corner office on the l0th floor, nice clothes and address, with a jaguar in the driveway. I always enjoyed the travel, excitement, and people I got to meet. I didn't have much ambition so I ended up as number 2 to a government program director. But I had 300 employees to tend after and Had many interesting jobs in my career. Don't sell your degree short. Many companies WANT writers, liberal arts and history majors. Why? Graduates are more flexible and work for a little less initially, but again, they will catch up. Many become directors. Good luck.

Answer 4

University isn't just about the grades you get. But admittedly some degrees are pretty pointless, but then some such as medicine, teaching, architecture, law etc are impossible to do without a university education. In addition humanities and arts subjects teach a lot of things that would probably pass someone by had they not had the enriching experience of university. For instance it would be very much harder for someone to get into an orchestra without a conservatoire or at least a very good university degree in music.

However, you try getting a job in 5 or 10 years time if you don't have a degree to your name, even if you're only working in a "normal" middle class job. There are kids at public and grammar schools who are getting 4 or 5 As at A-level. Without further education employers are just going to skip your CV because you're viewed as not being qualified enough with your "mere" two As and a B.

Of course this doesn't apply for skills based jobs (plumbing etc) which is why those who leave school at 16 make the money. They're in a field which is competitive in a different way - not through endless letters after your name and standardised tests.

Answer 5

There certainly are a lot of UK students who are in university for the purpose of getting a degree, rather than an education, and most of these are getting degrees which are not worth very much, because they are in subjects which are known to be easy, and which don't have any specific application in the workplace.

On the other hand, I think you're being a bit harsh on some of the humanities subjects. There are people who have done these degrees who feel their lives have been enriched by the knowledge they gained. On top of that, in some of the more difficult subjects, like philosophy, students have proven that they can do difficult things, which impresses employers, even if they haven't developed specific skills employers want.

In short, I agree that people who don't like school shouldn't be going to university, but I don't think that all arts degrees are a waste of time, even when they don't affect a student's employment prospects.

Answer 6

Well, the bottom line nowadays is that most employers EXPECT to hire graduates. This means that the baseline qualification has shifted to degree level, resulting in jobs for graduates now being at the level which 20 years ago would have been hiring HNC/HND or even school leavers. It's supply and demand of course. I've even seen jobs for office juniors requiring a degree in Business Management!

Answer 7

I just came out of 6th form and most teachers were expecting me to be applying to university. Some even act like if you don't go to uni then you're never gonna get anywhere in life. I think the pressure of it for some people is a bit too much. Even though uni is a good experience for most, i think that teachers should also encourage the people that want to take another college course or go straight into full-time work

Answer 8

Some degrees are worth more than others, unfortunately. =[ And some degrees get you higher paying jobs. English/Philosophy might be only good to become a teacher.

I would recommend students overlook these things before deciding on an education that may not benefit their future careers.

Answer 9

To true. The world is full of over qualified people. The first answer is a GOOD answer as well. Money is NOT the be all and end all. As you get older you will realise what I am saying is true.

Answer 10

Should have done a science degree, I did and I earn bucket loads of money.