Some advice from wiser heads.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

The way we spend money on our education is all wrong.

It's been quite a while since British education was the best in the world. We are hugely out-resourced by US and Asian universities, and all the ranking systems reflect this: they can't all be wrong.

Yet what do we choose to do? Pluck a percentage out of the sky, and say that's how many people we want to have a 'degree'. In short, we spread our (already comparatively meagre) resources too thinly in order to give more people a three-year piss-up. Harvard University spends more money in a year than every single English university put together.

The political situation in this country and this continent is such that we are so against maintaining elites that we endeavour to promote mediocrity. The world is too competitive for that, and we absolutely should be spending twenty times more on a Cambridge scientist than on a Media Studies student from the University of Chester. The overhwelming likelihood is that tomorrow's lucrative scientific breakthrough will not be arrived at in a British university, and that should be a cause for concern.

We should pump 85% of our money into Britain's top dozen universities and be proud, not embarrassed, about creating an elite.

[Enzo Gambaro]

Sunderland's a top Uni for journalism, Newcastle and Northumbria are slightly better. For reference.

Wasn't too impressed myself. Went to Sunderland Uni for a year and a half studying English and dabbling in journalism and philopsophy. It didn't quite live up to the reputation that they had pointed out to me beforehand. Had to jack it in in the end thanks to a long-running disagreement with my senior lecturer and a series of disagreements with the student housing people who were the most unprofessional people I've ever come across in my life.

Shame, really. The actual student facilities up there and the activities are pretty good. I guess that maybe things have improved over the last few years.

[communistworkethic]

Dax, from someone in the "media" industry, let me tell you, we are sick of seeing people with degrees in Communication or Media Studies. Neither gives the kind of skills we really need and most are coming to us with 2:1's, it's become meaningless, especially as most can barely write English.

[Daxter]

Dax, from someone in the "media" industry, let me tell you, we are sick of seeing people with degrees in Communication or Media Studies. Neither gives the kind of skills we really need and most are coming to us with 2:1's, it's become meaningless, especially as most can barely write English.

So you wouldnt reccomend that subject? Only thing is my only real alternative is pyschology and you must achieve a C at maths to get into that course. I don't want to take a gamble like that.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Is there really an A-level called 'Communication Studies'?

[Daxter]

Is there really an A-level called 'Communication Studies'?

Yep all sorts of courses now that i presume werent around years ago.

[TANGODANCER]

Dax, from someone in the "media" industry, let me tell you, we are sick of seeing people with degrees in Communication or Media Studies. Neither gives the kind of skills we really need and most are coming to us with 2:1's, it's become meaningless, especially as most can barely write English.

So you wouldnt reccomend that subject? Only thing is my only real alternative is pyschology and you must achieve a C at maths to get into that course. I don't want to take a gamble like that.

Best advice you can get in your chosen field is from someone already working in it. I'd take it.

[boltonboris]

I'm thinking of doing 'Beckham Studies' in Leicester.... then again, I doubt it

[50sQuiff]

Cheers mummy

negative pleb or not, schoolkids need to realise Uni doesn't have to lead to the promised land

I can tell yours will be a ticket to riches beyond even my dreams, but its important not to lose sight of the fact taht Blairs crackpot ideas have really devalued degrees

My one might one day need to be used, and if it does need to be dusted of, I'll guarantee it won't be half as much use in getting fixed up, as the experience I have

Now if folk want to tell me the three years is the greatest time of their life, and it's worth being jobless and looking for junior posts at 22, then I wouldn't know

CAPS is absolutely right here. A male History graduate like myself will on average earn LESS over the course of their life than someone who did not even attend university because of the lost earnings and debt. The higher-education system and our qualifications have become so corrupted and compromised for all the reasons already mentioned, it's quite depressing. I feel sorry for smart kids graduating in Blair's Britain, awaiting their job in 'media sales', or whatever.

I think university can be an important and rewarding experience and a good transitional period where you can slowly forge an independent existance, but it is NO magic bullet nowadays. There's a good chance your degree will not be worth the paper it's written on. Get yourself some good grades in credible serious subjects, then get experience and lots of it. Intern, work experience, part time work, voluntary work. Just do it and lots of it. That is the only way to I would advise anyone to proceed through higher education in the current climate. I did none of that and could have lived to regret it, but I was rather fortunate.

[Village Idiot]

Sometimes I'm grateful to live in a semi-socialist country. Here my degree costed me a meager 3000€ in fees for 4 years! How much does it cost you in England?

And yes, everybody and their dogs have titles now, but most of our employers won't ever look at your resumé if you lack an uni degree. Actually mine has helped me in getting the couple first jobs that gave me the experience needed to make a career in the business. So yes CAPS, experience >>>>>>>> titles, but you won't ever get that experience without a degree nowadays. In some places you aren't even allowed to apply without one.

[communistworkethic]

Sometimes I'm grateful to live in a semi-socialist country. Here my degree costed me a meager 3000€ in fees for 4 years! How much does it cost you in England?

And yes, everybody and their dogs have titles now, but most of our employers won't ever look at your resumé if you lack an uni degree. Actually mine has helped me in getting the couple first jobs that gave me the experience needed to make a career in the business. So yes CAPS, experience >>>>>>>> titles, but you won't ever get that experience without a degree nowadays. In some places you aren't even allowed to apply without one.

It costs £3000 in fees per year.

[communistworkethic]

Dax, You're only looking at A levels at the moment, the best thing to do is to consider waht you want to do as a career but take courses which give you options. What you want to do as a job and what you can get a job doing are often very different. Don't narrow yourself down too soon. Communications and Media Studies are OK at A level but as degrees they are seen as easy options. You should also consider vocational qualifications, learning somthing with practical application and experience brings with it employability. If you want to be a journalist (which is not the best paid job in the world unless you get on a national daily) you can always do a post graduate course after getting your degree or other qualification.

[Daxter]

I may even do the English, History and P,E, Becaue i cant decide on Pyschology/communication studies i might just end up doing a football development course.

I cant fecking decide.

[FaninOz]

..... take courses which give you options. What you want to do as a job and what you can get a job doing are often very different. Don't narrow yourself down too soon. ......

I was a lecturer/manager in Universities / University Colleges for 20 years and the best advice I could ever give anyone is KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN. So many students find that when they get to University, the subject they have chosen for their degree is not what they are interested in any more. Or when they have studied for a year they are not enjoying the course, but they do not have the A levels in the right subjects to allow them to change their degree course.

So, assuming that you are not in the science stream and therefore are looking at non technical subjects to take at A level I would opt for something like

English Literature
Psychology
Communication Studies
Business Studies

But at the end of the day you will get better grades if you enjoy the A level subjects that you are taking, and the better the University you want to go to the higher the A level Grades you will need to get in. So the choice has to be yours.

[Gertie]

Daxter, I know you’ve had some good advice from the wise souls but it’s rare that I don’t have something of no use to say!!

I was really uncertain when I was choosing A-levels and had no idea what I wanted to do with myself.

I chose the most useless A-levels ever and it made it really hard for me to make a next step so be careful what you do, I went for Theatre Studies, Media Studies and Sociology. I then (surprise surprise) couldn’t get into any universities with such rubbish courses so I opted for a communications foundation course in Scotland, hated it so after a year switched to a business degree. Which was a real struggle as everyone else had studied something of use at college and I fell behind in subjects like accountancy. However, I was able to pick some options that interested me and did some extra subjects in PR and Media, and I also chose a law option, but couldn’t defend a paper bag!! So get something practical behind you and get a good grounding, as it may help and save you from struggling.

What everyone says is right, you can’t beat experience I did some stuff with the students union, got involved with some voluntary projects which was good fun and was useful on my CV. I got quite a lot of interviews after university and people commented on how interesting my CV was, so it got me noticed. I ended up having to come back to Bolton due to family reasons and took a job in Manchester – which was a bit rubbish but if you don’t have any thing to tie you down your whole world is your lobster. That said. I am a bit thick, I got through university thanks to help and support of friends and tutors – I’m useless at maths and anything that requires logic, if you’re a bright lad you’ll do fine. I ended up with a 2.1 but when I compare that with the likes of people on here, my qualification isn’t worth the paper it is written on.

Take advice from people on here, friends, or people at your college… But if you opt for something and it’s not for you, there’s a chance you can still switch so go for it Daxter and

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Take advice from people on here, friends, or people at your college… But if you opt for something and it’s not for you, there’s a chance you can still switch so go for it Daxter and

Don't leave me hanging Gertie!!!

(Real answer comin up Dax)

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I also chose a law option, but couldn’t defend a paper bag!!

That's a belter of a metaphor.

If you do ever meet a paper bag that has got itself into some trouble, send it my way.

[warthog]

Take advice from people on here, friends, or people at your college… But if you opt for something and it’s not for you, there’s a chance you can still switch so go for it Daxter and

Don't leave me hanging Gertie!!!

(Real answer comin up Dax)

I fear Gertie may be dead. The setence remains unfinished as she plunges forward and in the last act of her life, presses the submit button with her nose.

[Gertie]

Take advice from people on here, friends, or people at your college… But if you opt for something and it’s not for you, there’s a chance you can still switch so go for it Daxter and

Don't leave me hanging Gertie!!!

(Real answer comin up Dax)

See there you go Dax, don't listen to walberts like me, who can't finish a sentance!!!!

I think Dave's super Barnet will be more help than me at this time!!!!

Good luck!! (I think that is what I was hoping to say!!!! Before I forgot) And llisten to DSB!!!!

[sluffy]

.....your whole world is your lobster....

Perhaps the lobster got her?