Reply to: What is a degree of today equivalent to?

[MikeC1984]

And even in its dumbed down state, no one wants to do 'lectronics coz it's 'ard & mathematical.

its "maffimatical

[Halo Jones]

Looking back I think it makes far more sense to go and get work experience first, THEN do a degree as you can relate to things far better,

As a "mature student" doing my Bsc over 5 years on day release I would agree with you on this one.

Some of my classes have the full timers in & they may be more academicly advanced but they have no clue as to real life.

Mixing a full time job with study does leave you with a reduced social life but I do belive that you are more capable of understanding & appreciating what the Uni is teaching, balanced ofc with a healthy dose of scepticism

Also if you can get your work to pay for the degree it negates the whole student debt thing

[Bob Dalek]

I think a lot of 'em became nowt more than glorified A levels in the 80s. I was at Uni then, and some of my pals' degrees were laughably trivial even back then. Mind you, the recent near-100% pass rate and astounding A level grade "A" results this year is reason to raise a cynical eyebrow.

[chris79]

I never did a BSc, but got to do an MSc based on working experience which I got through no problem. I know this isn't common practice and I think there were objections put in from course tutors that I hadn't fulfilled the requirements to get on the course. As it happens it moved me out of technical and into management, and ultimately into the contract market so thankfully it has repaid itself (or will do eventually).

Looking back I think it makes far more sense to go and get work experience first, THEN do a degree as you can relate to things far better, plus you have a bit of work ethic about you, rather than these students who just go for the social pissup and leave with a worthless/poorly graded degree and £20k+ debt with no job prospects (as happened with a few of my school friends).

[ace00]

And the worst thing is some of these graduates feel the world owes them a living cos they managed to get through three years of Uni.

Also some Uni degrees are sooo much more difficult than others

I studied Astrophysics at Edinburgh - and when I compared the first years maths, physics etc I was doing compared to a friend who was doing Physics at Bangor Polyversity there was a huge gap in difficulty - his seemed to be just above GCSE level - mine would have tested Einstein

Although it was a while ago and my memory has faded a bit.

You is rocket scientist.
:

[Diver]

One can get a degree now in David Beckham studies. I kid you not

[original PM]

And the worst thing is some of these graduates feel the world owes them a living cos they managed to get through three years of Uni.

Also some Uni degrees are sooo much more difficult than others

I studied Astrophysics at Edinburgh - and when I compared the first years maths, physics etc I was doing compared to a friend who was doing Physics at Bangor Polyversity there was a huge gap in difficulty - his seemed to be just above GCSE level - mine would have tested Einstein

Although it was a while ago and my memory has faded a bit.

[TimberWolf]

Is this a trick question?

Q. 'A degree of today'

Option: 'Same as today'

Or doesn't the axiom 'something is the same as itself' apply in nuLieBore land anymore?

A meant in comparison to say 1990 qualifications, but screwed the question up a bit.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Is this a trick question?

Q. 'A degree of today'

Option: 'Same as today'

Or doesn't the axiom 'something is the same as itself' apply in nuLieBore land anymore?

[snaw]

Before 1997 you had to get fairly decent 'A' level results to start on a science degree, now everyone is getting A's at 'A' level and almost everyone under the age of 25 seems to have a degree. Even the swimming pool attendants at our gym have them.

Number of places has expanded, number of kids going into tertiary education has risen accordingly. There's nothing wrong with educating our kids longer, or more of them getting degrees.

Is a degree easier, no idea. Are a-levels easier - or are there more resources for kids and have teachers/programmes got better at teaching them?

Again I've no idea. Lot of this debate (In the public domain that is) seems to be ill informed, and knee jerk.

[TykeMerc]

Before 1997 you had to get fairly decent 'A' level results to start on a science degree, now everyone is getting A's at 'A' level and almost everyone under the age of 25 seems to have a degree. Even the swimming pool attendants at our gym have them.

True, but most of those aren't real science (maths is a science to me) or engineering degrees or degrees in the professions such as law, accountancy or medicine.

Let's face it there are a lot of graduates of esoteric (ok bloody useless) subjects that bring very little to the employment market place and as a result aren't especially employable.

Damnit that's the second time that I've posted almost exactly the same as another poster. CUK in bugging scandal!!!!

[Halo Jones]

Before 1997 you had to get fairly decent 'A' level results to start on a science degree, now everyone is getting A's at 'A' level and almost everyone under the age of 25 seems to have a degree. Even the swimming pool attendants at our gym have them.

True but the pool attendants do not have science degrees; thiers is more likely to be a degree in "pool management"

I would say the value of a degree that was avalible 20 years ago is a good as the same degree today - its all the new Mickey Mouse ones that have devalued the perception of degrees

[TimberWolf]

How would we know unless we went and sat one and compared?

Or reading the daily mail of course ...

Before 1997 you had to get fairly decent 'A' level results to start on a science degree, now everyone is getting A's at 'A' level and almost everyone under the age of 25 seems to have a degree. Even the swimming pool attendants at our gym have them.

[Diver]

Where's the " makes you one of tomorrows leaders" option?

[DaveB]

The thing about a degree is not what subject you did or what class you got, it's the very fact that you have one.

There is a glass ceiling, especially in permidom, beyond which it is virtually impossible to pass without a degree on your CV.

A' levels may get you an entry level job to begin with but making it into middle management and beyond needs a degree.

ps. yes it's bloody daft but thats how it works atm.