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University Superiority Complex

I think there needs to be an entire restructuring of unis across the UK...

The minimum requirements for a school obtaining recognition as a university should be increased and there should be stricter evlauations of unis performance in academics and research with the penality of demotion if they fall below par...

It is only then will unis be forced to excel and we can get rid of the G5 (gang of 5)...

I am a bit tired of people taking pleasure in ridiculing TVU, Kent etc.

Oxbridge cannot offer places to everybody...so other unis need to work harder or 'get with the programme'

holla back...

Reply 1

Leekey

9

seana

I am a bit tired of people taking pleasure in ridiculing TVU, Kent etc.

Surely Kent is of a higher standard than TVU?!? :confused:

Reply 2

AT82

The way I see it there is three types of university

1. The best (top 30), Oxbridge, Manchester, Nottingham, Duram, London etc.
2. (30-80)The average, ranging from Keele at the top end to Salford at the bottom end
3. 80 and below - A lot of these are mostly ex polys and some really need a lot of imporvement.

TVU for example is only a university by name, most their students are in the FE and not HE sector.

I agree there needs to be improvements but I think its happening now. Certainly the average universities are always improving their game but then do they get quite a lot of funding.

The problem with places like TVU is they have virtualy no funding for research so they have 'sell out' just to get money.

Reply 3

starry

I agree with the first poster.

As I read through the threads here, there is definitely lots of snobbery going around.

Amazingtrade: I salute your siggy.

Reply 4

AT82

starry

I agree with the first poster.

As I read through the threads here, there is definitely lots of snobbery going around.

Amazingtrade: I salute your siggy.

I am the first to stick up for average universities, I don't often say anything bad about MMU for example even though its my universities biggest rival. I still have nightmares about the open day I attended at Bolton. The bottom 10 just seem to be statistical very poor, much worse than say the bottom 20.

Reply 5

babyboo

1

amazingtrade

The way I see it there is three types of university

1. The best (top 30), Oxbridge, Manchester, Nottingham, Duram, London etc.
2. (30-80)The average, ranging from Keele at the top end to Salford at the bottom end
3. 80 and below - A lot of these are mostly ex polys and some really need a lot of imporvement.

TVU for example is only a university by name, most their students are in the FE and not HE sector.

I agree there needs to be improvements but I think its happening now. Certainly the average universities are always improving their game but then do they get quite a lot of funding.

The problem with places like TVU is they have virtualy no funding for research so they have 'sell out' just to get money.

couldnt of put it better myself!!!!! x

Reply 6

starry

amazingtrade

I am the first to stick up for average universities, I don't often say anything bad about MMU for example even though its my universities biggest rival. I still have nightmares about the open day I attended at Bolton. The bottom 10 just seem to be statistical very poor, much worse than say the bottom 20.

Yes, in a way, it is quite a tragic thing for the bottom unis. Some of my mates may need to go there and they know that they don't have much hope. Sometimes I have nothing to say to them. My advice sounds hollow and fake. Last thing they need is for other students to be looking down on them.

Reply 7

Dr. Blazed

16

Leekey

Surely Kent is of a higher standard than TVU?!? :confused:

Yeah, who the hell mocks Kent ? It's a decent place. Not the best, but pretty good.

Reply 8

seana

OP

1

It's just that regardless of the uni you go to you have to work hard to excel there and it can be annoying when people tend to discard your hardwork owing to the rep of your uni...

it should therefore be that unis should function at an acceptable standard across board...could the top up fees mean more funding for unis esp in research...

Reply 9

AT82

seana

It's just that regardless of the uni you go to you have to work hard to excel there and it can be annoying when people tend to discard your hardwork owing to the rep of your uni...

it should therefore be that unis should function at an acceptable standard across board...could the top up fees mean more funding for unis esp in research...

Its not just down to funding though, if TVU had all the money in the world I doubt many businesses would work with them in research. Generaly its the longer established universities that have good research reputations. The modern unis should just stick to teaching with a few exceptions.

I agree that students hard work is often not regonised just because they go to a bad university, it would be interesting to compare TVU assingments with other universities just to see if their is any huge difference in standards.

Reply 10

tommyboy

1

amazingtrade

I agree that students hard work is often not regonised just because they go to a bad university, it would be interesting to compare TVU assingments with other universities just to see if their is any huge difference in standards.

great suggestion - I'm sure there would be differences but nowhere near as big assome people think (as usual: depending on level, subject, format, etc, etc)

Reply 11

seana

OP

1

amazingtrade

Its not just down to funding though, if TVU had all the money in the world I doubt many businesses would work with them in research. Generaly its the longer established universities that have good research reputations. The modern unis should just stick to teaching with a few exceptions.

I agree that students hard work is often not regonised just because they go to a bad university, it would be interesting to compare TVU assingments with other universities just to see if their is any huge difference in standards.

what about improving their teaching staff and the type of offers that they give out...couldn't these unis also engage in fund raising to help with research...if businesses see the initiative and determination, then they would be more inclined to sponsor research...it will take time but it can be done...

Reply 12

starry

Contrary to what many believe, the university doesn't immediatley dictate our career prospects.

Reply 13

AT82

seana

what about improving their teaching staff and the type of offers that they give out...couldn't these unis also engage in fund raising to help with research...if businesses see the initiative and determination, then they would be more inclined to sponsor research...it will take time but it can be done...

I don't think it would work in practise though, its all about supply and demand, if TVU were asking 200 points for a course and UEA was asking the same, I think most people would choose UEA. No matter how good TVU's teachers could be. Sadly snobbyness does influence how good universities are.

I think places like TVU do a lot of fund raising exercises but its still not enough. The latest funding figures are actually quite shocking

I it was the telegraph (The Wolf has the source) that said TVU was ranked 98 with employees.

This table also highlights the problem with regards to funding

http://education.guardian.co.uk/administration/table/0,9861,1161034,00.html

Reply 14

cobra

14

starry

Contrary to what many believe, the university doesn't immediatley dictate our career prospects.

while true to an extent, i doubt most employers would take someone of similar charecter from TVU over sumone for sumwhere like durham or warwick

Reply 15

fifi53

1

there are cambridge grads working in factories - trust me.
theres so much snobbery on this site, i totally agree with whoever it was who posted that on here. you should be chosing courses based on what they have to offer you personally - i.e. if you're wanting to earn millions as a fashion designer, why should you be expected to apply to oxford to do physics. you'd be best off @ a former poly most likely, having done your ND and foundation @ a college and maybe just done the single a-level. for example if you want to design performance sportswear the single best degree in the world to do is at de montfort (ranked about 100 overall in the league tables). similarly if you want to do anglo-saxon celtic and norse then cambridge would be an obvious choice. some poeple seem to assume that if they get a degree from a high ranking university, they will just fall into a job. the sales job i have just left didnt require any qualifications past a gcse englsih, but 2 out of the 3 people interviewed to replace me were graduates with good honours degrees from universities in the top 25. 3 years of study to earn £6.70 an hour? hardly seems worth it. this is when i am glad i am going to uni because i want to study and have a good time... no other reason.

Reply 16

seana

OP

1

amazingtrade

I don't think it would work in practise though, its all about supply and demand, if TVU were asking 200 points for a course and UEA was asking the same, I think most people would choose UEA. No matter how good TVU's teachers could be. Sadly snobbyness does influence how good universities are.
I think places like TVU do a lot of fund raising exercises but its still not enough. The latest funding figures are actually quite shocking

I it was the telegraph (The Wolf has the source) that said TVU was ranked 98 with employees.

This table also highlights the problem with regards to funding

http://education.guardian.co.uk/administration/table/0,9861,1161034,00.html

in that case ladies and gentlemen, the G5 is here to stay!!

the only consolation is that it is a form of motivation for students to work hard to get in the top ten unis, even if they dont get in at least the grades would reflect effort!!

University Superiority Complex

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