Non-Russell group degree = less likely to get a job?

I was just thinking about this.

I know it depends on the degree classification and subject, but will getting a degree from e.g. Nottingham Trent or Manchester metropolitan or any ex-poly put you at a disadvantage?

So say a 2:1 in History from Manchester metropolitan vs. a 2:1 in History from the University of Manchester. Are they both equal in terms of value and worth?

Reply 1

Bill_Gates

21

i'd stick to ranking rather than russel vs non russel. Some great non russel uni's too.

Reply 2

Maker

20

Depends, teaching no, law,yes.

Reply 3

Mayhem™

19

Medicine is an example of a course where it doesn't matter what university you took it at.

Reply 4

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by Maker

Depends, teaching no, law,yes.

Ok, what if you just want a 9-5 office job? Will thr university you studied at be taken into account?

Reply 5

Taimmi

10

I go to a University that is ranked higher than many Russell group unis - I may be biased, but I would have thought rank would be more important than its status as a RG.

Reply 6

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

I mean a good job, enough for house, mortgage, a car and bills, amongst other things.

Few people outside of TSR and universities know what the Russell Group is.

Much of the recent obsession about the Russell Group on TSR is probably a result of marketing. 5 years ago, people didn't seem to be that bothered about the Russell Group; instead, it was rankings - usually top 10 or top 20. But in the last few years there does seem to be a marked increased in people talking about the Russell Group, and I have also noticed that universities that are a member of it use it as a selling point too.

Reply 8

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by Taimmi

I go to a University that is ranked higher than many Russell group unis - I may be biased, but I would have thought rank would be more important than its status as a RG.

So the university you attend wouldn't impact on your chances of being called for a job interview?

Reply 9

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by JohnGreek

Look at employer rep from several sources, and graduate prospects.

RG is an arbitrary collection of research-based unis, and some non-RGs have world-leading faculties in certain courses (St. Andrews - English Lit./ Bath -Architecture)

@Pride&Prejudice What career path do you wanna go down?

Well I'm in my first year of Law at Manchester, but I don't want to be solicitor or anything legal related tbh.

I just want an office job, maybe a civil servant - but isn't that competitive? Do I stand a chance?

Reply 10

AmyPilot

15

Original post by Pride&Prejudice

So the university you attend wouldn't impact on your chances of being called for a job interview?

Unlikely I would have thought. On a serious note pick the uni you feel happiest at then you will do well in your studies and get a decent grade.

What were you thinking of studying?

Reply 11

FanaticEV

12

Russell goup doesnt mean anything. Most RG unis are ****

Reply 12

alexs2602

22

Original post by Bill_Gates

i'd stick to ranking rather than russel vs non russel. Some great non russel uni's too.

Neither is particularly reliable. Some really questionable rankings out there.

Reply 13

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by AmyPilot

Unlikely I would have thought. On a serious note pick the uni you feel happiest at then you will do well in your studies and get a decent grade.

What were you thinking of studying?

I'm already at university, I'm in my first year of law, I was just thinking whether my degree is worth studying.

Reply 14

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by JohnGreek

Manchester's got a decent rep, I shouldn't worry other than for super-high powered jobs :smile:

Perhaps try doing a postgraduate at a higher-ranked uni to capitalise on its name?

I did want to study till masters, but I don't know how the funding for that is like.

Reply 15

Maker

20

Original post by Pride&Prejudice

Ok, what if you just want a 9-5 office job? Will thr university you studied at be taken into account?

I don't think it makes a lot of difference to most employers where you get your degree from. The FT 100 companies may be more snobbish and only want people from oxbridge or the Russell group.

I have a BSc from a RG uni and a MSc from a 1992 uni and no-one has ever mentioned anything about where I got my degrees from when I applied for jobs and I have worked in the NHS and in private companies.

Actually, I tell a lie, one person did ask me about my BSc but only because he went to the same uni as me.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 16

AmyPilot

15

Original post by Pride&Prejudice

I'm already at university, I'm in my first year of law, I was just thinking whether my degree is worth studying.

Yeah just seen the post that you are at Manchester - which is a RG uni and well regarded, assuming that you mean Uni of Manchester - but either way sure you will do fine.

My mum works with people in local government with degrees from all sorts of unis (including ex polys - her immediate boss is a MMU graduate).

I'm in my second year at Man Met but I do a health care related subject so the uni status thing isn't really an issue for me (U of Manchester was my insurance choice).

Sure you will be fine!

Reply 17

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by Maker

I don't think it makes a lot of difference to most employers where you get your degree from. The FT 100 companies may be more snobbish and only want people from oxbridge or the Russell group.

I have a BSc from a RG uni and a MSc from a 1992 uni and no-one has ever mentioned anything about where I got my degrees from when I applied for jobs and I have worked in the NHS and in private companies.

Actually, I tell a lie, one person did ask me about my BSc but only because he went to the same uni as me.

Ok thanks, maybe I should stop worrying now. Lol.

Did you get your job straight after your Bsc? Or after you completed your masters?

Reply 18

Pride&Prejudice

OP

7

Original post by AmyPilot

Yeah just seen the post that you are at Manchester - which is a RG uni and well regarded, assuming that you mean Uni of Manchester - but either way sure you will do fine.

My mum works with people in local government with degrees from all sorts of unis (including ex polys - her immediate boss is a MMU graduate).

I'm in my second year at Man Met but I do a health care related subject so the uni status thing isn't really an issue for me (U of Manchester was my insurance choice).

Sure you will be fine!