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Studying in UK overrated?

Someone said that he/she knew people who did their Doctorate research in Germany, France and Poland and they are extremely brilliant.

I have also heard that nowadays many Unis in the UK and Australia have gone 'business minded' and similarly many in the US are tailored to the average local students and foreign students other than those top unis. Is that true?

Question - Should I go and pursue a degree in like Germany or France or any other European country (care to recomend any?).

I heard someone say that a BSc from France/Germany is equivalent to a MSc in the UK. Is that true?

Btw I heard that studying in France is almost free, hence the need to filter the maximum of students (especially as far as undergraduate studies are concerned). Is that true? What does it mean by filter the max of students?

Thanks.

Reply 1

arsenalfan.

OP

1

Thanks for ur reply.

Can anyone else share with me their views about my other questions?

Thanks!

Reply 2

hibernation

arsenalfan.

Someone said that he/she knew people who did their Doctorate research in Germany, France and Poland and they are extremely brilliant.

I only know people in Germany being under extreme financial pressure. There are only very few real programs, you rather work as a research assistant (contract of about 20hrs per week, but most people i know do at least 35) and spend the rest of your time on your own research.

arsenalfan.

I have also heard that nowadays many Unis in the UK and Australia have gone 'business minded' and similarly many in the US are tailored to the average local students and foreign students other than those top unis. Is that true?

no clue about that

arsenalfan.

Question - Should I go and pursue a degree in like Germany or France or any other European country (care to recomend any?).

you mean a doctorate degree by that? I wouldnt recommand though, I'll be doing mine in the UK due to really bad career prospects here in Germany and also due to a lack of places to work and research.

arsenalfan.

Someone said that he/she knew people who did their Doctorate research in Germany, France and Poland and they are extremely brilliant.

I only know people in Germany being under extreme financial pressure. There are only very few real programs, you rather work as a research assistant (contract of about 20hrs per week, but most people i know do at least 35) and spend the rest of your time on your own research.

arsenalfan.

I have also heard that nowadays many Unis in the UK and Australia have gone 'business minded' and similarly many in the US are tailored to the average local students and foreign students other than those top unis. Is that true?

no clue about that

arsenalfan.

I heard someone say that a BSc from France/Germany is equivalent to a MSc in the UK. Is that true?

Well, I did a German diploma, I started at a time when we didn't have BSc or Masters. It took me 4,5 years (expected length) and is evaluated as a British BSc. I heard that American unis do not evaluate the new german bsc as proper degrees. So I guess my answer to your question is: no.

arsenalfan.

Btw I heard that studying in France is almost free, hence the need to filter the maximum of students (especially as far as undergraduate studies are concerned). Is that true? What does it mean by filter the max of students?

I reply for Germany: Its free in those federal states which are socialdemocratic governed, in all others its maximum 500€ per semester (half a year).
Filter the max of students may mean that you have to pass really hard exams to go on with your studies e.g. after every semester. Thats what they do in some subjects in Germany and rather often in Austria. Means, after your first year, only the best 50percent or so are still admitted to the course.

Hope I could help to clarify a little.

Reply 3

arsenalfan.

OP

1

Thanks so much, this information is very useful! :smile:

Reply 4

arsenalfan.

OP

1

Anyone have any more replies? Esp. the bolded parts. :smile:

Thanks!

Reply 5

Roberto Tomato

I heard the opposite to you...

UK universitys are very well respected and that is the reason a lot of overseas students come over here.

If you aren't going to get into a well-respected University here then your chances of going abroad are even slimmer.

If you are interested in studying abroad, why not sign up to the Erasmus programme where you can study overseas for up to a year between your 2nd and 3rd years at University?

Reply 6

shady lane

16

I think UK universities are good but would agree that they are overrated, based on my personal experiences.

I know a girl who went to an average university in the US (University of Washington), then went to UCL for a masters, and she did not find UCL to be challenging at all.

Reply 7

Roberto Tomato

shady lane

I think UK universities are good but would agree that they are overrated, based on my personal experiences.

I know a girl who went to an average university in the US (University of Washington), then went to UCL for a masters, and she did not find UCL to be challenging at all.

I've heard that too about post-grad study in the UK, that Universities don't really care for you as much as they do under-grad?

Reply 8

dismal_laundry

15

I've heard that too Roberto- it depends, but some taught Master's degrees are as you describe. I've heard it's as good as anywhere, provided you go to a reputable place, but that perhaps the USA is better for grad school. Another reason, for me, is that provided I get a good final degree result, there is a much greater opportunity for a range of financial aid in the US.

Reply 9

JayC

1

In sweden we don't have tuition fees at all. Education is completely free :biggrin:

Reply 10

dismal_laundry

15

Your taxes are higher- I don't mean this as a criticism though.

Reply 11

arsenalfan.

OP

1

Thanks for all replies, does anyone have any more views on this?

I have also heard that nowadays many Unis in the UK and Australia have gone 'business minded' and similarly many in the US are tailored to the average local students and foreign students other than those top unis. Is that true?

Reply 12

JayC

1

dismal_laundry

Your taxes are higher- I don't mean this as a criticism though.

yes we do love those taxes lol :p:

actually it isn't as bad as many non-swedes sometimes think. Don't really think about it much :smile:

But because of it we do have a very extensive social backup and security... however, I'm about to flee the country anyway to go to UK :biggrin:

Reply 13

arsenalfan.

OP

1

Thanks, any more replies?

I have also heard that nowadays many Unis in the UK and Australia have gone 'business minded' and similarly many in the US are tailored to the average local students and foreign students other than those top unis. Is that true?

Reply 14

dismal_laundry

15

I don't really understand your message in bold...do you mean that academic standards are falling as a result of an effort to fill every available place?

Reply 15

arsenalfan.

OP

1

dismal_laundry

I don't really understand your message in bold...do you mean that academic standards are falling as a result of an effort to fill every available place?

Thanks for your reply.

What I meant is:

In my opinion alot of uni's now are aware of the huge popularity of foreign students coming in from Asia, Africa, USA and other parts of Europe (france, finland etc..).

So the teaching isnt really that good in those unis, who just wanted to make money from those students coming in.

Is that true?

Reply 16

Shreerac1

10

Wow thanks for coming here just to shun our universities.

Reply 17

Ankan

JayC

yes we do love those taxes lol :p:

actually it isn't as bad as many non-swedes sometimes think. Don't really think about it much :smile:

But because of it we do have a very extensive social backup and security... however, I'm about to flee the country anyway to go to UK :biggrin:

Do you even pay taxes Jims? :rolleyes:

Haha yes anything for free dental and health care. :yy:

Reply 18

JayC

1

Yeah, I plan to return if I ever get seriously ill lol :biggrin:

haha, ok, anna I don't pay taxes, but I've heard that some people do.... Oh, btw are going to vote before going?

Reply 19

zellidja

arsenalfan.

I heard someone say that a BSc from France/Germany is equivalent to a MSc in the UK. Is that true?

Btw I heard that studying in France is almost free, hence the need to filter the maximum of students (especially as far as undergraduate studies are concerned). Is that true? What does it mean by filter the max of students?

Thanks.

"general universities" mass education system is falling down in France, and need to be renewed. (same thing for the health care system and old people etc... :biggrin:

, oh yeah it's the best system, but cost a lot!!!)

Oh yeah, you'll pay almost nothing, plus you may get a French grant depending of your social situation (plus a significant State help for accommodation ). But the spend per student for facilities is a crap in comparison with Ireland. Because in Eire, if you're from EU, you've to pay from 0 to 700€, and you can get a grant too, and there are more facilities.

The average spend per student in a "general university" (almost all) is 6000€/y. This population represents about 2/3 of the higher education system.
Meanwhile, in "classes preparatoires (CPGE)" ..... 12000€/y is spent for students who are preparing (based in a Lycee(secondary school) ) exams for the elites Grandes Ecoles. I guess they only represent 10% population, and they are studying hard-theorical crap!!! Moreover, the CPGE way doesn't provide a bachelor (even if they can follow an equivalence program, it must take a long time to be re-adapted in the general uni scheme)

Many people use this comparison to show the crap :
the French State spends more money per capita for secondary education pupils than for general education students.

oh yeah, and I say big big luck to you if you wanna get a graduate job in France, with a Licence only (bachelor). In France, you have the grandes-ecoles, some private schools, Paris-Dauphine, Paris IV (Sorbonne), and Paris I (Pantheon Sorbonne, eco and law...)... and others like P&M Curie etc... for restricted area like medecine (...I don't know why nursing is so reputated in Eire and the UK, but in France people can think it's a "second-hand" medecine job). I'm not exhaustive but, you can consider that the other uni provide exactly the same non-competitive course.

Some UK bachelors are considered as a Master you know (but you've got to go in the top 5 uni ...)

If you wanna study in France, it would be at least for a Master.

Money matters (bachelor degree):
--
France :
+6000€(state uni)
+up to 3500€(social-based grant, all nationalities)
+up to 2500€(accommodation help, all nationalities)
--
Ireland :
+????€ (state uni...but more efficient)
-up to 700€ (tuition, EU students)
+up to 4000€(grant, EU students)
--
UK
-3000 GBP (tuition fees).......and MORE if you're oversea ...at least you know your money serves well for something
+2500 GBP (around) (social-based grant, UK student ONLY!!!!)
+up to 2500 GBP (around) (uni bursaries for UK student who get the state grant, ONLY!!!!)

hope that can help

Studying in UK overrated?

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