Russel Group Uni Vs Non-Russel Group Uni

If there were two candidates, for a job e.g. part-time teaching at a college lets say for example chemistry part-time teaching which candidate(s) would have a better opportunity in gaining the job.

Scenario 1: Someone who earns a 2:1 from a Russell group uni or someone with first class from a non-Russell group uni

Thanks

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Reply 1

izpenguin

To be honest, hard to say because non-russell group covers a very wide range of unis. There are some excellent non-RG unis, such as St Andrews, and a first from there would beat a 2:1 form an RG uni but there are some non-RG unis that aren't very good at all and realistically even a first wouldn't get you very far, and would probably be beaten by a 2:1 from an RG uni.

Reply 2

NaumanZoSo

how about Lancaster university? would a first from there beat a 2:1 from a RG uni?

Reply 3

izpenguin

I can't say I'm sure, but probably. Lancaster is really good.

Reply 4

Jackso

Depends on which university, obviously? A first from St Andrews is going to be more valued than a 2;1 from Queen's Belfast. Hell, a first in general is going to be more important with almost any university besides maybe Oxbridge.

Also, work experience is what actually counts. Most employers probably wouldn't be able to name every RG university.

Reply 5

BlitzBall

Depends primarily on the university. Either way they contain good unis.

Reply 6

username944192

Undergrads seem to think these days that a 2:1 in a good subject from a RG uni is like a magical key to every graduate job they could ever want. It isn't. Wherever you go it's important to do your best in your degree, do relevant work experience if youre planning on going into something like teaching etc, and do some extracurriculars/part time job so you've got something to stick on your CV and talk about other than your intelligence. As said above there's a fine line between shall we say, the "lower" RG unis and the "upper" non-RG unis. Like if you had a first from Nottingham Trent in say history, and were against a grad from Nottingham with a first in history, the Notts graduate would probably have a slight advantage (if there were no significant differences in work exp etc). However, until recently top unis like Exeter, York etc weren't in the RG but a degree from there would have been held VERY highly.

Reply 7

aeterno

Original post by izpenguin

And you would know this how exactly? You're hardly in a position to know this.

Reply 8

izpenguin

Original post by aeterno

And you would know this how exactly? You're hardly in a position to know this.

True.

Reply 9

PatrickC

To be honest I don't think it makes a difference if it's Russell group or non Russell group... what matters is how the specific university is for your course. Generally Russell group universities are higher up the subject league tables however a place that is non Russell group but is well known for a particular course and specialises in that course would be a better place to get a degree from than a Russell group uni that doesn't.

Reply 10

ultimate mashup

Well the russell group uni's are generally more respected than the non russell group uni's but that doesn't mean that the graduates are more respected than the non russell graduates. Obviously the higher grades at A-Level may give the russell groups grads an advantage and the fact that they are more likely to get a 2.1 than those at newer uni's. This probably explains the favourable employment rates.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 11

TenOfThem

The one who was the better teacher

Reply 12

username208984

Doesn't make much of a difference, the degree and grade can only get you as far as an interview, the rest is down to the individual, I got an interview for post-grad stuff at Cambridge Uni with a Manchester Met degree if that helps

Reply 13

Alex3r3

I think by obtaining a first in comparison to a 2:1 you are demonstrating more knowledge/skills in that subject.
It all goes down to the work experience you have related to your degree/ how you come across in person.

Reply 14

Joinedup

It's that thread again.

Reply 15

WhatTheFunk

Oh boy this can of worms again

No one can you a answer based on that information, impersonal skills are pretty important, experience, all that jazz. Alot of places really couldn't care where you went, as long as you have the result they want and the skills to go with it

Reply 16

NR09

I can see where this will end up going...

Reply 17

vedderfan94

I think people need to realise that Russell Group just means they do more research than other universities. It doesn't necessarily mean they are better (plus research only really matters for postgrad anyway).

Reply 18

Mbob

Original post by NaumanZoSo

As a general rule for most jobs it won't affect things that much.

For a teaching job I would imagine it won't matter at all, as the University you attend and the exact degree classification you achieved will be very loosely correlated to your teaching ability.

Of course an individual interviewer may have a particular preferences regarding Universities and classifications.

Then again he/she may have particular preferences on hair colour.

Reply 19

AverageExcellence

How long is a piece of string? people dont employ solely on a degree, it opens doors yes, but it goes down to experience, interview, qualities and all other stuff. Having a first at oxbridge wont guarrentee you a top notch job.