The University thread

[chrismada9 1,948]

Hatfield is where I was nurtured for 5 years studying Computer Science, and I came out with an honours degree... university may be fun with the nights out, but it's also a case of putting the effort in.

Linda is in Stockholm University right now, she's just started there studying "environmental science" .. (make of that what you will) ... she had to move over there too, and Stockholm is very far from where she lives, which is just north of Kalmar in Sweden... but yeah, it's all down to whether you adapt to the lifestyle in a new city too. I know a friend who came to Hatfield all the way from Bedford, and she found things difficult at first because she didn't like the people in the town, but the first days are always the worst.. but when you make new friends and you get into two or three weeks in, you'll find things so much easier.

I had to tell that to Linda before she went over to Stockholm!

[OReillyD36 311]

I'm studying Web Authoring and Graphic Design, going into my second year. I had done a year in journalism but it wasn't for me so I switched my style up and went back to my first love of computers. Next year I could be finishing my degree in Swansea Met, not sure if I'll be able to make the move though :/

[Kostas 1,468]

The issue most annoying to me at present is that European students won't pay fees at Scottish Universities

while English students will. Incidentally the Scottish Universities are excellent

Won't that change with all the recent changes in the tuition fees?

Hatfield is where I was nurtured for 5 years studying Computer Science, and I came out with an honours degree... university may be fun with the nights out, but it's also a case of putting the effort in.

Linda is in Stockholm University right now, she's just started there studying "environmental science" .. (make of that what you will) ... she had to move over there too, and Stockholm is very far from where she lives, which is just north of Kalmar in Sweden... but yeah, it's all down to whether you adapt to the lifestyle in a new city too. I know a friend who came to Hatfield all the way from Bedford, and she found things difficult at first because she didn't like the people in the town, but the first days are always the worst.. but when you make new friends and you get into two or three weeks in, you'll find things so much easier.

I had to tell that to Linda before she went over to Stockholm!

I've got a relative who is interested in studying in Sweden, I take it Linda is Swedish and wouldn't know much about English courses?

[chrismada9 1,948]

I've got a relative who is interested in studying in Sweden, I take it Linda is Swedish and wouldn't know much English courses?

Linda is Swedish... and she speaks perfect English

[BluesChick 1,260]

I would suggest getting a part time job. I worked while getting my first degree (for spending money) and my Masters (I was teaching full time and going to classes at night), it just means you have to manage your time better than other people. I had to take out student loans to cover my university costs when I went to Purdue and back then it was $11,000 for tuition and about $5000 for room and board. (it is more now). I was a full time mom during my second degree (my son was 6 months old when I went back for my Chemical Engineering Degree). My folks helped out but I hated asking for money, so I worked 3 mornings a week from 6 am - 9 am and taught swim lessons on Saturday morning.

My niece who is at university now has two part time jobs so that when she graduates she won't have any debt. You can do it, you just need to decided what is best for you.

I hope you do well in school!! Best of luck!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I can't say I'm familiar with the A Levels but around here people have the impression that aside from world known universities like Oxford, Cambridge and the med schools Greek universities are stricter about accepting students than most Unis in the UK. Would you think that's possible?

I'd say that is true, in all honesty. The reason for this is because UK universities really want to have as many students on the books as they possibly can. It's all about guiding students along the path towards a degree and high-end employment, all as part of a grand scheme to resurrect the deceased beast that is this country's economy.

There is the age-old argument that grades are getting easier to attain thanks to exams becoming less difficult - the reality is that the quality of teaching in the UK, coupled with the facilities and means available to facilitate a basic-to-advanced education are the foundations of a world-renowned education system that is designed towards filtering approximately half of the country's youth into universities. Other countries are aimed elsewhere, in my view - they seem to prioritise employment and apprenticeships.

[Fulham Broadway 17,333]

Something ironic about the whingeing in this thread, and the way the Tories and Nick ''I will not introduce tuition fees'' Clegg have made it a lot more difficult for kids to go to uni.

If I was thinking of studying again for a degree now, I would definitely be looking further afield. eg Dublin, great city, and one of the best universities in the world - charges no fees for UK students. Dutch Universities teach courses in english, and again are rated some of the best in the World, for fees of about £1500

You can see where Cameron and Clegg are heading, when you look across the pond -most of the US universities charge $38,000-$40,000 (£23,400-£24,600) a year, which does put the £9,000 fees of many UK institutions in a different light.......

[Badboy 1,526]

University is a waste of time in my opinion as there is too much competition now, everyone is going to university and you have to be exceptional to get noticed. I am a student at OLCI electrical training providers, i am already a qualified domestic installer and i have started my City and guilds level 3 which is needed for when i want to work in advanced commercial outlets and buildings. I am currently working for my mother while i am undertaking my training program.

[Badboy 1,526]

I think more people have got to look towards getting a trade instead of just going to uni for the sake of having a degree. My brother has a degree in Business Finance and he is struggling to find work in that field, in fact he has been working for my mother since he got his degree in 2008. You can live a very good lifestyle as a tradesman, freelance electricians and plumbers make an absolute fortune in places like London and Birmingham.

[dave30 728]

I think more people have got to look towards getting a trade instead of just going to uni for the sake of having a degree. My brother has a degree in Business Finance and he is struggling to find work in that field, in fact he has been working for my mother since he got his degree in 2008. You can live a very good lifestyle as a tradesman, freelance electricians and plumbers make an absolute fortune in places like London and Birmingham.

yes but you have to have connections or inroads into a trade dont you ? im guessing you found it a lot easier seen as you have a family member who owns a company in a specialist field .

[Badboy 1,526]

yes but you have to have connections or inroads into a trade dont you ? im guessing you found it a lot easier seen as you have a family member who owns a company in a specialist field .

My mother owns a restaurant, its hardly a specialist field but you can work as freelance/self-employed as many people do. Yes i have someone who is willing to take me on when i finish my training but many people who attended my training institution in the past had no connections and they started work as self-employed and they have done really well !

[zolayes 14,489]

I think more people have got to look towards getting a trade instead of just going to uni for the sake of having a degree. My brother has a degree in Business Finance and he is struggling to find work in that field, in fact he has been working for my mother since he got his degree in 2008. You can live a very good lifestyle as a tradesman, freelance electricians and plumbers make an absolute fortune in places like London and Birmingham.

You make a very valid point much better than in your previous post . I can't agree time spent at University is a waste of time ,unless a person

makes it so . There is however a large amount of intellectual snobbery between different classes of workers.

As to remunneration. If I do an hour's tuition in Maths at A level for the son of a plumber ,I will earn about a third of what he would charge to

unblock a sink . Good luck with your career but also hope your brother has a change in fortune

[Randall 315]

Also anyone who thinks exams are getting easier, feel free to have a crack at my Partial Differential Equation exam from last year or the second piece of coursework.

Also people saying university is a waste of time, it's not just about the degree it's about growing as a person and meeting people and learning the way of the world. Sure a big part of it is getting a good job after but also it's about the experience.

[Badboy 1,526]

Also anyone who thinks exams are getting easier, feel free to have a crack at my Partial Differential Equation exam from last year or the second piece of coursework.

Also people saying university is a waste of time, it's not just about the degree it's about growing as a person and meeting people and learning the way of the world. Sure a big part of it is getting a good job after but also it's about the experience.

I think its a waste of time for many people, not all people. The admittance rate at university has dropped significantly in the last 15-20 years. As Bluelion has said, the government has been ushering people into uni just so the unemployment rate is not as defined. We have a huge shortage of gas fitters in this country, we have a shortage of highly skilled electricians ( not domestic installers) we have a shortage of highly skilled tradesman in general. That is why a plumber can charge you 50 pounds for just turning up at your house.

[Badboy 1,526]

Not everyone is suited to academic education and a lot of people who are on benefits are suited to vocational education but they just don't know it.

[SeB 1,281]

Can somebody explain to me the aim or the working of the A-Levels ?

I'm going to study Geography, but I have one week remaining until the start of the lessons

[zolayes 14,489]

Can somebody explain to me the aim or the working of the A-Levels ?

I'm going to study Geography, but I have one week remaining until the start of the lessons

exams taken in yr 12 and 13 ..may be modular or simply terminal ...normal qualification for University .

[SeB 1,281]

And it's a test in all the subjects ? So it's like Baccalaureate, only the name changes. Thanks !

[Kostas 1,468]

Afaik you are tested in 3 subjects.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think more people have got to look towards getting a trade instead of just going to uni for the sake of having a degree. My brother has a degree in Business Finance and he is struggling to find work in that field, in fact he has been working for my mother since he got his degree in 2008. You can live a very good lifestyle as a tradesman, freelance electricians and plumbers make an absolute fortune in places like London and Birmingham.

I couldn't agree more. University degrees are like taking a step back, however for some career paths they are of course a necessity.

And it's a test in all the subjects ? So it's like Baccalaureate, only the name changes. Thanks !

You take a handful of subjects to study. For instance I studied English, History and Geography for two years, and Maths, Critical Thinking, General Studies and Science for one year.

The way it works to get your A Level - which is a qualification achieved for your work in a sixth form - is you sit exams in years 12 and 13, at the ages of 17 and 18. The exams are modular, so one exam may be worth 40% of the qualification, and the other might be worth the remaining 60% - or, there may be a coursework element or additional modular exams. For instance, the A Level English qualification consists of three exams and one piece of written coursework, and the A Level Maths qualification consists of six individual modules.

All students study three subjects for two years, and in some schools you get the option to do additional AS Levels (these equate to half an A Level, as they are only one year of the course) in either year as additional subjects to boost your CV, basically. I was able to study General Studies and Maths this way, whilst I was also lucky to be able to sit the A Levels for Critical Thinking and Science early because of "fast-track" classes.

Your grades at the end of it all are what you use to access universities. If you have the required grades to enter a university course, they will fight tooth and nail to accept you.