[*Corinna*]

wow, I got an email from the director of graduate studies at King's who told me that he recommended me for an offer and that the official offer will be updated shortly. Then he said he wishes I accept the offer (well, give me funding and I might ). People at King's have been very nice and helpful so far. Although, admittedly, so have all the other departments I have contacted. Especially at King's though they offered me a double supervision, which is really perfect for what I want to do.

Anyway, for the record (people waiting etc) I applied for a PhD at classics and my second reference was submitted on the 27th of January.

[NZNush]

I have a general question. Being from the southern hemisphere, a small country called New Zealand to be precise, I don't understand why everyone is so hung up on what their job prospects are depending on which university they gain their degree from in the UK. Why do people think that oxbridge will always trump everyother uni?

Employers employ people not universities. They look at your work ethic/personality/ 'workmanship' etc besides your qualifications. Thats how its done here anyway.
Granted some universities are not well known but the fact that you went to university (and got good grades) at all must mean something.

I'm really glad I got into KCl but I'm not beating myself up about not getting into oxbridge (they don't even teach what I want to study lol).

I just asked the question because a) the prestige of a uni in terms of employment is talked about on every forum b) that little 'spat' on this forum was so funny.

Please enlighten this confused soul.

[aeterno]

(Original post by NZNush)
I have a general question. Being from the southern hemisphere, a small country called New Zealand to be precise, I don't understand why everyone is so hung up on what their job prospects are depending on which university they gain their degree from in the UK. Why do people think that oxbridge will always trump everyother uni?

Employers employ people not universities. They look at your work ethic/personality/ 'workmanship' etc besides your qualifications. Thats how its done here anyway.
Granted some universities are not well known but the fact that you went to university (and got good grades) at all must mean something.

I'm really glad I got into KCl but I'm not beating myself up about not getting into oxbridge (they don't even teach what I want to study lol).

I just asked the question because a) the prestige of a uni in terms of employment is talked about on every forum b) that little 'spat' on this forum was so funny.

Please enlighten this confused soul.

Don't worry - it's just a few uninformed people who think this Anyone with an ounce of common sense will realise that most employers look at more than where/what you studied (relevant experience for one thing) but some like to make themselves feel better because they got into a prestigious university. Also, I should add that many of the people who make these comments (on this forum at least) haven't even set foot in a university let alone even come close to graduating.

Basically, you've got it right!

[NZNush]

(Original post by aeterno)
Don't worry - it's just a few uninformed people who think this Anyone with an ounce of common sense will realise that most employers look at more than where/what you studied (relevant experience for one thing) but some like to make themselves feel better because they got into a prestigious university. Also, I should add that many of the people who make these comments (on this forum at least) haven't even set foot in a university let alone even come close to graduating.

Basically, you've got it right!

Great to hear. Cheers

[Sovrov]

NZNush, I'm afraid aeterno is being a bit deluded! It does completely depend on where you go to uni in the UK. I went to a very good school in Sussex, grew up with a group of friends who are like minded, are relatively similar in how personable we are, have done similar types of work experience, extra curricular and volunteering. Many of my friends have gone on to good Universities; Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews and UCL. Since graduating, they've all had much greater career opportunities than me and a few other friends who went to mid range universities; Kent, Reading, Surrey etc. If you're applying for a grad scheme or to a big company in London, often having one of those good uni names under your belt is the only thing that will get you through the door. Well that or knowing someone who works there, which is often the case with Oxbridge students, as they will get a job through the rich dad of someone they went to uni with.

To further back up my argument, one of these friends went to Nottingham to do chemical engineering. When she was invited to work for BP, she discovered that she was the only student who didn't go to Oxbridge or UCL. Other than the fact that she got a 78 as her final grade and was the chairman of a million clubs in her final year, the staff at BP worked with her sister- an Oxford graduate.

But still NZNush, Kings is a great uni so you'll have very good career prospects! In your case you should be pleased that this system is in place because it;ll work in your favour!

[NZNush]

(Original post by Sovrov)

But still NZNush, Kings is a great uni so you'll have very good career prospects! In your case you should be pleased that this system is in place because it;ll work in your favour!

Thanks for your perspective.

It sounds very depressing though.
If what you say about the 'system' is true then it is a very sorry state.

Many people can't afford to go to top universities. I don't think they should be at a disadvantage or made to feel like they have no prospects.
From your post it sounds like going to any other uni but oxbridge is a waste of time...and we can safely say that that is 100% not true. Millions of students have not wasted their time.


Its very interesting to have recieved 2 very very different opinions but i'm guessing your both students like me.
Would be nice if any employers or recent job hunters out there could give their opinion (though I doubt employers will openly admit to committing nepotism and the likes).

[martiantj]

Applied to do the MA in Biblical Languages + Literature MA at Kings, with all references in. Hoping to go as it's the perfect course for me, however the competition for the funding is likely to be fierce and I can't afford to it otherwise.

[Whirlm]

Just received an unconditional offer for MA Film Studies

For everyone still waiting - if it helps, I submitted my application on December 17th, but my references weren't submitted till January 16th, so its taken them about a month to respond with an offer if you count it from when the references were in, about two months if counting from when I applied. And my offer is unconditional because I graduated last year (currently working and trying to save a bit!)

I've also applied for funding but don't really think I'll get it as it's so competitive!

[Akkuz]

My course fee really has gone up by £700! It's £9,950 now

[HoVis]

(Original post by NZNush)
Thanks for your perspective.

It sounds very depressing though.
If what you say about the 'system' is true then it is a very sorry state.

Many people can't afford to go to top universities. I don't think they should be at a disadvantage or made to feel like they have no prospects.
From your post it sounds like going to any other uni but oxbridge is a waste of time...and we can safely say that that is 100% not true. Millions of students have not wasted their time.


Its very interesting to have recieved 2 very very different opinions but i'm guessing your both students like me.
Would be nice if any employers or recent job hunters out there could give their opinion (though I doubt employers will openly admit to committing nepotism and the likes).

At undergraduate, in this country, anyone should be able to afford to go to a top university - that's what the student loan is for. Most universities are now charging at the £9,000 'ceiling'. Oxford does, but for students from low-income backgrounds it charges lower fees (and these are all paid for by loan, and payable back only when you're earning a certain amount - in essence the student loan is a graduate tax scheme under a different name: only if you earn enough will you ever have to pay it all back).

As for postgraduate, Oxford and Cambridge are, well, quite well-off universities. Certainly Oxford has around 15 funded studentships for Master's courses for my subject (History) compared to King's, which I think has somewhere between 1 and 3 (someone please correct me if I'm wrong!).

Also, I don't believe it is nepotism for an employer to prefer students from better universities. Degrees from the top Russell Group universities are extremely rigorous and prepare you well for hard work. Of course distinguishing between Cambridge/Oxford/UCL/KCL is splitting hairs, but to say that an employer *shouldn't* consider as important the fact that one candidate attended Oxford . KCL (which ask for AAA at A Level) when another attended a university that asks, for example BCC at A Level, is ludicrous.

Anyway, that's my two-penneth!

[PrettyFaerie]

(Original post by emmageography2012)
Have any of you who have been given an offer for a postgrad started thinking about accommodation? I'm looking into flat shares at the moment but there don't seem to be that many students on the websites that King's recommend. I've also applied for halls but as a home student I doubt I'll have much luck!

yeaaa... i just got a offer from kings to study Msc neuroscience and have no idea how this whole accommodation thing works either Do you know how to apply for flat shares ?

[Lukesm1th]

Hey,I have an offer for the Msc neuroscience also, does anyone know of particular locations good for students?

[HoVis]

(Original post by PrettyFaerie)
yeaaa... i just got a offer from kings to study Msc neuroscience and have no idea how this whole accommodation thing works either Do you know how to apply for flat shares ?

Have received a postal offer yet? With me they gave me an offer online and then sent me a physical offer pack - this had details about accommodation.

[emmageography2012]

(Original post by PrettyFaerie)
yeaaa... i just got a offer from kings to study Msc neuroscience and have no idea how this whole accommodation thing works either Do you know how to apply for flat shares ?

Awesome, congrats. King's recommend: http://www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk/. Not many people have put themselves on there yet, but it's good because you can find people going to all different London universities. Hopefully more people will start using it!

[PrettyFaerie]

thanks x !

[martiantj]

Heard back today that I got an unconditional offer. Now to wait to hear back re: AHRC funding and other funding sources...

[*CaptainHerb!!*]

Hi

I've also applied for the MSc Neuroscience. How long did it take for you to get an offer for this course?

[satellite_eyes]

Heard back today, I have a conditional offer for MA International Relations. I've been accepted to Glasgow and had the mindset of going there but this changes things. The main thing holding me back from KCL is the living costs of London!

[Scout-]

(Original post by satellite_eyes)
Heard back today, I have a conditional offer for MA International Relations. I've been accepted to Glasgow and had the mindset of going there but this changes things. The main thing holding me back from KCL is the living costs of London!

Congratulations! I applied for the same course. Yet to receive any news though. When did you submit your application?

[eduleal]

So excited, just got an offer for MA Creative Industries.
It was about time, I applied on December 17th.

However I´m very unsure what to do. I´ve received an offer for MSc Management at UCL, which I think will have a lot more to add to my undergraduate degree in Communications than the Creative Industries course...