The Student Room Group

what do you think is the most useless subject in general?

Ik this will vary between people so I just wanted to see what people think

Scroll to see replies

it depends on what you want to go on to do but i think stuff like general studies dont specify on anything,critical thinking is also not accepted at many unis
Original post by lord shimada
it depends on what you want to go on to do but i think stuff like general studies dont specify on anything,critical thinking is also not accepted at many unis

hmm yh I think peoples personal experiences influence a lot as well
Original post by lord shimada
it depends on what you want to go on to do but i think stuff like general studies dont specify on anything,critical thinking is also not accepted at many unis

As someone who had to do general studies at a-level (it was compulsory at my old 6th form), I totally agree that general studies is a load of shite.
If we are to say, "what is the most useless subject that a sizeable number of people do?" I would nominate BTEC Sport
Computer studies and history
im biased but geography. i know people need to know the basics like country names and generally where everything is but every geography teacher i ever had either disliked me and just taught the 3 people they liked in geography or was simply not there to teach the lesson OR just showed us episodes of Bear Grylls (which i guess was ok). i couldn't tell you were exeter was on a map but im doing fine in life :smile:
I agree to disagree. The world is moving toward everything tech related and we need to know how to at least use the software and understand the basics of a computer for most jobs.
Same for computer science
Business/management, up to undergrad at least. Companies don't expect you to have any specialised knowledge in that realm when applying to graduate roles, and you don't get rewarded in any way for having done those subjects. It's just a totally nothing degree for people who lack the imagination to do something more intellectually stimulating...
i suppose in like 20 years every job maybe needs some sort of computer skills so we need to learn technoligy

i am not good at pc/computer but im good on ps4:biggrin:
your writing is always so good
looking at you
@\^_^/ [s]biggrin[/s]


ok how i get bubbs to stop slanging lol:smile:
Original post by artful_lounger
Business/management, up to undergrad at least. Companies don't expect you to have any specialised knowledge in that realm when applying to graduate roles, and you don't get rewarded in any way for having done those subjects. It's just a totally nothing degree for people who lack the imagination to do something more intellectually stimulating...


Actually, lots of businesses favour or specifically employ graduates with business (and related degrees that are typically offered at a business school) for a range of commercial and administrative positions. I certainly wouldn't classify business as a useless degree.
Post edited automatically
Original post by Smack
Actually, lots of businesses favour or specifically employ graduates with business (and related degrees that are typically offered at a business school) for a range of commercial and administrative positions. I certainly wouldn't classify business as a useless degree.


Really? I'm somewhat surprised at that, I would expect that unless it's a postgrad course like an MBA, or a specialised course like HR Management that someone doing a BA/BSc Management/Business would not be notably more employable than someone else with a degree in some other academic subject from an equivalent university at the same classification, assuming similar work experience was gained during the degree.

I suppose someone doing a business degree might be statistically more likely to have that work experience by the end potentially, although that may simply be a self selection bias due to someone doing a degree in that area more actively pursuing internships etc compared to someone doing some other academic degree who might spend their summers doing other stuff (e.g. research projects or something else) or not realise the importance of work experience.
Original post by artful_lounger
Really? I'm somewhat surprised at that, I would expect that unless it's a postgrad course like an MBA, or a specialised course like HR Management that someone doing a BA/BSc Management/Business would not be notably more employable than someone else with a degree in some other academic subject from an equivalent university at the same classification, assuming similar work experience was gained during the degree.

I suppose someone doing a business degree might be statistically more likely to have that work experience by the end potentially, although that may simply be a self selection bias due to someone doing a degree in that area more actively pursuing internships etc compared to someone doing some other academic degree who might spend their summers doing other stuff (e.g. research projects or something else) or not realise the importance of work experience.


Work experience is likely also an important factor as you note. But a lot of companies also aim to recruit students with business related degrees for their internships and placements too (probably the same ones that prefer them for their graduate roles). It's the same pipeline.

Think about it logically: why would it be surprising that many organisations prefer graduates with degrees relevant to the positions they are applying for? No one finds it surprising that, for example, companies would rather hire engineering grads for engineering roles.
Original post by Smack
Work experience is likely also an important factor as you note. But a lot of companies also aim to recruit students with business related degrees for their internships and placements too (probably the same ones that prefer them for their graduate roles). It's the same pipeline.

Think about it logically: why would it be surprising that many organisations prefer graduates with degrees relevant to the positions they are applying for? No one finds it surprising that, for example, companies would rather hire engineering grads for engineering roles.


My impression has always been that for "general" business/management positions they don't really expect any prior academic knowledge; it's only in more specific areas (e.g. accounts, HR management) which they seemed to look for particular prior background. At least, from the first degree; for higher management positions my understanding is an MBA is usually necessary, but that doesn't require or assume a business background anyway.

While I could see that a business degree might give applicants some skills that employers are looking for by actively including them (e.g. project management knowledge by having a module on project management with an assignment on managing a hypothetical project) that doesn't seem to suggest that those doing other degrees couldn't gain those same skills in their academic or non-academic endeavours. I would've thought that those who had that same experience would be equivalent in the eyes of employers; maybe this assumption is wrong.
media studies
Law, medicine and engineering, obviously.
PE. What the actual **** is the point?
Original post by Smeraldettoi
PE. What the actual **** is the point?

Fitness... to get kids doing at least some form of activity at a scheduled time, there are kids who will do nothing.
PE builds basic fitness skills and levels, and can improve teamwork and leadership skills.

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending