The Student Room Group

Uni - is it really worth it?

Me and my friend were having a debate earlier today about uni and I was wondering other people's opinions... Just to clarify I'm not looking for advice, just debating :smile:

I mean most people finishing their A-Levels will go to uni and in many ways at least in my area you are sort of expected to go to uni. Now, for the specialist jobs like medicine or engineering I can understand however ultimately from what I hear employers prefer experience over a degree. So, a sixth form graduate who goes straight into employment could have gained not only an extra 3 or 4 years work experience and pay, they'll have no debt to pay off.

Off course on the flip side of that going to uni allows you to spend time away from home, independence, a qualification and "the atmosphere" shall we say.

So - thoughts? Anyone who's been to uni regret it? Know friends who didn't go who have done incredibly well, etc?

Scroll to see replies

yes
Original post by AdamCee
Me and my friend were having a debate earlier today about uni and I was wondering other people's opinions... Just to clarify I'm not looking for advice, just debating :smile:

I mean most people finishing their A-Levels will go to uni and in many ways at least in my area you are sort of expected to go to uni. Now, for the specialist jobs like medicine or engineering I can understand however ultimately from what I hear employers prefer experience over a degree. So, a sixth form graduate who goes straight into employment could have gained not only an extra 3 or 4 years work experience and pay, they'll have no debt to pay off.

Off course on the flip side of that going to uni allows you to spend time away from home, independence, a qualification and "the atmosphere" shall we say.

So - thoughts? Anyone who's been to uni regret it? Know friends who didn't go who have done incredibly well, etc?


In my experience, it's actually the people who didn't go to university who seem to regret it. I've come across mature students who've come to university to get a degree in order to improve their job prospects and allow them to move up in their company for roles that require a degree.
Reply 3
Original post by Jackoclypse
yes

That was so meaningful and deep it brought a tear to my eye. Thank you <3

Original post by Mr.Econometrics
In my experience, it's actually the people who didn't go to university who seem to regret it. I've come across mature students who've come to university to get a degree in order to improve their job prospects and allow them to move up in their company for roles that require a degree.


Oh really? I never knew that. Out of interest are these company roles "you need a degree" or "you need a degree in... Business management" for example?
Original post by AdamCee
That was so meaningful and deep it brought a tear to my eye. Thank you <3



Oh really? I never knew that. Out of interest are these company roles "you need a degree" or "you need a degree in... Business management" for example?


I'm not sure if a specific degree was required, but a 2:1 was a bare minimum, regardless of experience in the field/years worked at the company. This guy was in his 30's with children applying to university, which was very weird.
If you have the opportunity, take it.

If you aren't smart enough, or struggle to get into one, that's life.

People who passionately hate universities are one of the following

too stupid
too poor
jealous of smarter people and then say uni is pointless anyway.

If you can't get into uni, just accept it. Everyone in life is good at something and has a purpose, there is no need to be spiteful.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by democracyforum
If you have the opportunity, take it.

If you aren't smart enough, or struggle to get into one, that's life.

People who passionately hate universities are one of the following

too stupid
too poor
jealous of smarter people and then say uni is pointless anyway.

If you can't get into uni, just accept it. Everyone in life is good at something and has a purpose, there is no need to be spiteful.


I really don't think you have to be smart to get into uni tbh.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by AdamCee
Me and my friend were having a debate earlier today about uni and I was wondering other people's opinions... Just to clarify I'm not looking for advice, just debating :smile:

I mean most people finishing their A-Levels will go to uni and in many ways at least in my area you are sort of expected to go to uni. Now, for the specialist jobs like medicine or engineering I can understand however ultimately from what I hear employers prefer experience over a degree. So, a sixth form graduate who goes straight into employment could have gained not only an extra 3 or 4 years work experience and pay, they'll have no debt to pay off.

Off course on the flip side of that going to uni allows you to spend time away from home, independence, a qualification and "the atmosphere" shall we say.

So - thoughts? Anyone who's been to uni regret it? Know friends who didn't go who have done incredibly well, etc?



If you are going to go to a decent university - and by that I mean say a top thirty one and do a science degree then yes it is worth it.

If you are going to go to a lower rank uni and do maybe media studies or criminology then no it isn't.

If you are going to go to any university and make the most of your time - join clubs, network, take advantage of the life that uni has to offer, prepare for a life of work, have some direction then it may be.

I see too many people go off to the University of Rubbish Degrees and come out with a degree in "Crimimedia Design". They have had on average 6 contact hours a week, done a bit of library work, had a nice time in the student union bar and then wonder why the world of work is not queuing up to employ them.
People who passionately hate universities are one of the following

too stupid
too poor
jealous of smarter people and then say uni is pointless anyway.

If you can't get into uni, just accept it. Everyone in life is good at something and has a purpose, there is no need to be spiteful. I really don't think you have to be smart to get into uni tbh.


I went to uni and I hate the fact looking back that I was sold a message that unless I go to uni I will fail in life as were my fellow classmates...as are todays youth. My biggest regret is that I didn't start at the company I am with now when I was 18 instead of a grad at 22 - I was one of the lucky grads. I shared a story on here a few months ago that we were taking grads on in the office on "work experience" - they paid the company for the experience...desperatly trying to get a foot in the door.

I am 24 now and most of my peers are out of uni for two years. For every person (and there are a few) that is on a ladder as a probable a result of their degree there are 3 people that are not. Who knows where we will all be though when we are all 30.

You don't have to smart to get into "a" uni. I know someone who got into a uni on 2 Ds and a E through clearing.
Reply 9
It's worthwhile if you want to attend.

You shouldn't feel obliged to go because you are smart enough or have the opportunity, though. That's *******s. Plenty of people I know didn't go to university and are absolutely successful. You don't need a degree to validate yourself...but if you WANT to go, you should.

Too many people on here place too much stock in education. You should follow your instincts, do what makes you happy - life is too short, after all.
Original post by AdamCee
Me and my friend were having a debate earlier today about uni and I was wondering other people's opinions... Just to clarify I'm not looking for advice, just debating :smile:

I mean most people finishing their A-Levels will go to uni and in many ways at least in my area you are sort of expected to go to uni. Now, for the specialist jobs like medicine or engineering I can understand however ultimately from what I hear employers prefer experience over a degree. So, a sixth form graduate who goes straight into employment could have gained not only an extra 3 or 4 years work experience and pay, they'll have no debt to pay off.

Off course on the flip side of that going to uni allows you to spend time away from home, independence, a qualification and "the atmosphere" shall we say.

So - thoughts? Anyone who's been to uni regret it? Know friends who didn't go who have done incredibly well, etc?


Well looking at it purely financially my thinking is that the total cost to me of University is approximately £38,000 of student loans plus about £12,000 out of my own pocket. Based on the average career wage of somebody graduating from my degree course my total loan repayments over the 30 years after I graduate will be just under £50,000. So in total my degree will cost me about £62,000.

Now, to judge whether it is worth that or not I look at it as follows. I will graduate at age 24 as a result of me starting late, given the retirement age of 65 that leaves me with a 41 year career. For University to be worth the cost I would have to earn over that 41 year career £62,000 more than I would have done without my degree.

In my case, is that likely to happen? Well I'm doing a demanding degree in a field that is desperately short of graduates and has both a high starting salary and with the potential to very easily be earning six figures by the time you hit the middle of your career. Would I be anywhere near as likely to be able to do that without a degree? No I wouldn't, and therefore it is virtually guaranteed that thanks to my degree my earnings over the course of my career will be at least £62,000 more than they would be without the degree, and therefore for me University really is worth it.
Well I'm doing a demanding degree in a field that is desperately short of graduates and has both a high starting salary and with the potential to very easily be earning six figures by the time you hit the middle of your career. Would I be anywhere near as likely to be able to do that without a degree? No I wouldn't, and therefore it is virtually guaranteed that thanks to my degree my earnings over the course of my career will be at least £62,000 more than they would be without the degree, and therefore for me University really is worth it.


Who's told you that? I was ensure that my industry (fiancial services) was crying out of grads and taking on people...I was told without a degree my career would be limited to self stacking and admin roles.

I have a admin (all be it a responsbile one) role now. 24 years old - earning £25,000 plus bonuses. There are guys I know who started at the company at 18...taken qualifications that the company has paid for (that cost a fraction of a degree) and are now my age. Earn 50% more than that have a company car and 4 times as many benefit shares than me.

I'm not saying you are lying or are wrong for one second. I am saying that schools/insititions well tell you that a degree will guarentee you this that and other/the industry is crying out for grads...whether it really is or not. The schools want you to go so they can claim x amount of our leavers go to uni. The unis want you to go for a £30,000 paycheck.
Original post by Daftpunker
Who's told you that? I was ensure that my industry (fiancial services) was crying out of grads and taking on people...I was told without a degree my career would be limited to self stacking and admin roles.

I have a admin (all be it a responsbile one) role now. 24 years old - earning £25,000 plus bonuses. There are guys I know who started at the company at 18...taken qualifications that the company has paid for (that cost a fraction of a degree) and are now my age. Earn 50% more than that have a company car and 4 times as many benefit shares than me.

I'm not saying you are lying or are wrong for one second. I am saying that schools/insititions well tell you that a degree will guarentee you this that and other/the industry is crying out for grads...whether it really is or not. The schools want you to go so they can claim x amount of our leavers go to uni. The unis want you to go for a £30,000 paycheck.


Well when did you enter school? The recession hit so that could be a big reason why they stopped hiring.

Also, financial services is really a broad definition. If you were hoping for an investment banker like paycheck then unless you went to a top school and got good grades and networked you probably wouldn't have a shot at a job like that anyways.

I would never listen to schools/institutions they are always incredibly "optimistic" about your odds and they are biased and often just wrong. Only read into statistics, only the best unis/courses provide course statistics because they actually mean something. Listen to friends who have experienced it as well. Sometimes old people have good advice but they can also be out of touch with today's world because things can change.

Listen to common sense as well. If there are only 500 jobs every year, its most likely going to go to the crème de la crème, mostly from top schools with top grades. If there are 5000 jobs well you probably have more a chance coming from a middle of the pack uni with middle of the pack grades.
Reply 13
Original post by democracyforum
If you have the opportunity, take it.

If you aren't smart enough, or struggle to get into one, that's life.

People who passionately hate universities are one of the following

too stupid
too poor
jealous of smarter people and then say uni is pointless anyway.

If you can't get into uni, just accept it. Everyone in life is good at something and has a purpose, there is no need to be spiteful.


Not sure if that was aimed at me or just a generic comment, but the thread was just to see other people's opinions - I do hope to go to Uni and I was just wondering what other people think. No spitefulness intended :smile:
I've heard that a person with a degree earns on average £200,000 over their lifetime more than a person without a degree. In general a degree tends to result in a higher salary.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by AdamCee
Not sure if that was aimed at me or just a generic comment, but the thread was just to see other people's opinions - I do hope to go to Uni and I was just wondering what other people think. No spitefulness intended :smile:


no, not aimed at you
Original post by FutureHeartSurg
I've heard that a person with a degree earns on average £200,000 over their lifetime more than a person without a degree. In general a degree tends to result in a higher salary.


More than 200,000. I read in a US article that it was $1,000,000 over the lifetime around 600,000 pounds.
Reply 17
People on here equate happiness with education and salaries.

Yawn.
People on here equate happiness with education and salaries.

Yawn.


Money isn't everything. But it certainly takes the sting out of being poor.
if you do non STEM subjects then no; you're just getting ripped off.

Quick Reply

Latest