University degrees that will get your kids a job and those that probably won't

[Doggy Styles]

I would probably tell kids not to bother with the degree now, they are becoming wastes of money. I did a 5 year degree so I would be hit with a 45 grand debt for tuition fees if I did mechanical in England, stick on maybe 20 grand of personal debt and you are on a run chase into your 30s trying to pay that off.

WMS. I told my kids to consider alternatives.

True, the loan terms are not bad. However my son (who finishes his A-levels next year) now favours an apprenticeship. A big debt is still a big debt and, although that's not the only factor to consider, it's a big turn-off for him.

[SueEllen]

WMS. I told my kids to consider alternatives.

True, the loan terms are not bad. However my son (who finishes his A-levels next year) now favours an apprenticeship. A big debt is still a big debt and, although that's not the only factor to consider, it's a big turn-off for him.

Alternatively he can emigrate for good.

[Doggy Styles]

Alternatively he can emigrate for good.

Seriously though, we always do the old UK down but there are opportunities here. The grass is not always greener elsewhere...

Still, ultimately it's up to him.

[Freamon]

Here's the data on all universities, incase anyone is interested:

How likely are you to be employed? By university and course | News | guardian.co.uk

[BlasterBates]

WMS. I told my kids to consider alternatives.

True, the loan terms are not bad. However my son (who finishes his A-levels next year) now favours an apprenticeship. A big debt is still a big debt and, although that's not the only factor to consider, it's a big turn-off for him.

Good idea. Once he's finished his apprenticeship or even while he's doing it, he could do an OU degree. If I were that age that's what I would seriously consider doing, just not to be saddled with so much debt.

[sasguru]

SG Junior will be going to private school and therefore has a good chance to go to Oxbridge.
An education fund to this end has already been set up. On successful completion of his degree at a first rate institution I will also gift him a one bed flat in London (failure at the degree means no property).
And that will be the sum total of his inheritance: a first rate education and a paid for property. Not a penny more.
After that its up to him.

[Fred Bloggs]

Good idea. Once he's finished his apprenticeship or even while he's doing it, he could do an OU degree. If I were that age that's what I would seriously consider doing, just not to be saddled with so much debt.

I don't know how much OU degrees are going to cost but I remember a while ago the government was looking at cutting the OU's budget by 90%. The only place that revenue can come from is the students studying with the OU.

[Doggy Styles]

Good idea. Once he's finished his apprenticeship or even while he's doing it, he could do an OU degree. If I were that age that's what I would seriously consider doing, just not to be saddled with so much debt.

Yes. Ideally he wants an apprenticeship with a higher education element.

It's what I did at that age and it was superb. Strangely I hope my doing it doesn't sway him unduly.

[SueEllen]

Yes. Ideally he wants an apprenticeship with a higher education element.

It's what I did at that age and it was superb. Strangely I hope my doing it doesn't sway him unduly.

If he ends up reasonably trained up and experienced in what he does he can skip the undergraduate element and go straight for a Masters.

[SueEllen]

SG Junior will be going to private school and therefore has a good chance to go to Oxbridge.

Going to a private school isn't good enough it needs to be a "Public" school otherwise he won't make the right contacts.

He also needs to play the correct sports to further increase his circle.