The Student Room Group

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Reply 1
Errrrr.......yes?
Reply 2
well, of the law firms I've spoken to, it does seem to be the case that if two people are neck and neck battling for a place in the firm, then if one of them went to oxford or Cambridge, then that swings the vote their way. Not sure how it is in other businesses though.
Reply 3
It may seem particularly impressive to a certain type of employer but that doesn't mean that it is. A first is a first is a first.
Yes, I don't see why it shouldn't. Whether a First from another university would be more desirable than, say, an Oxbridge 2:1 is of course a more contentious matter, and obviously depends upon the quality of the university in question.
Of course a first-class degree from Oxford or Cambridge will be impressive - they are top-ranked world-class institutions. However, your passion for your chosen undergraduate subject(s) and the way that you communicate in your CV and interview will certainly be of more value to an employer.

Oxbridge graduates definitely have high employment opportunities after leaving University, but if you go to another University and do well, you certainly have nothing to worry about. A first-class degree is a respectable qualification regardless of whether it's from Bristol or Bangor!

Oh and by the way, remember that prestigious qualifications do change people's perceptions of you. Oxford and Cambridge backgrounds carry some horrendous 'hoorah' and snobbish connotations, so do bear that in mind. Unfortunately, people DO judge a person from their CV and what's written on paper, regardless of whether you fit the common stereotypes.
Reply 6
so the situation is a lot different if someone gets a 2:1 at oxbridge and a first somewhere else?
Reply 7
bindymackenzie
so the situation is a lot different if someone gets a 2:1 at oxbridge and a first somewhere else?


Someone who gets a first at a different instuition has achieved a higher class degree than somebody with a 2.1 from oxbridge (obviously). It's the class that is important and is representative of your academic success, not the institution.
Reply 8
rottcodd
Someone who gets a first at a different instuition has achieved a higher class degree than somebody with a 2.1 from oxbridge (obviously). It's the class that is important and is representative of your academic success, not the institution.


oh, well i thought thats the way it should work
Reply 9
rottcodd
Someone who gets a first at a different instuition has achieved a higher class degree than somebody with a 2.1 from oxbridge (obviously). It's the class that is important and is representative of your academic success, not the institution.

even if that 2.1 at Oxbridge was harder then a 2.1 at lower end top 10 unis.
Reply 10
Actually, that depends. I have been told (Again by law firms) that a 2:1 degree from Oxbridge is a lot better than a first from somewhere like Paisley or Sunderland. The institution is still an important factor, since the difficulty of the courses differ greatly.
Reply 11
Well, it depends.

If it's law or architecture or similar and you're applying to be a lawyer, architect or similar, they almost certainly.

If it's english or philosophy or similar and you're applying to be a lawyer, architect or similar, maybe not.
Reply 12
Crazster
even if that 2.1 at Oxbridge was harder then a 2.1 at lower end top 10 unis.


The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education exist to ensure that a student has to attain a similar sort of criteria to achieve a 2.2, 2.1, 1st at all uni's across the UK. An Oxbridge degree is not necessairly 'harder' than a non-oxbridge degree. If the worth of a degree class was related to how reputable the institution was, then the whole system of degree classing would be completely useless.
Reply 13
rottcodd
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education exist to ensure that a student has to attain a similar sort of criteria to achieve a 2.2, 2.1, 1st at all uni's across the UK. An Oxbridge degree is not necessairly 'harder' than a non-oxbridge degree. If the worth of a degree class was related to how reputable the institution was, then the whole system of degree classing would be completely useless.

Rofl. If thats what you believe.
what is the rofl for? How on earth would you know better?
Reply 15
If you're planning to work abroad, then to have Oxford/Cambridge on your CV certainly carries a lot of clout.

However, I'm not so sure how important it is in the UK - the top 10 fluctuates so much from year to year that it's barely worth the trouble to measure it.
Reply 16
rottcodd
Someone who gets a first at a different instuition has achieved a higher class degree than somebody with a 2.1 from oxbridge (obviously). It's the class that is important and is representative of your academic success, not the institution.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Reply 17
Crazster
Rofl. If thats what you believe.


Yes, it is. I'm not talking about the perception of the degree, but the reality of it. I'm well aware that oxbridge has (and quite rightly so) an excellent reputation. But, that does not mean that a 1st from Sheffield is devalued if you compared it to a graduate with a 1st from Oxbridge.
Reply 18
smooth3k
I wouldn't be so sure about that.


so you don't think a 1st from Sheffield is better than a 2.1 from Oxford?
I think it goes like this:

1st from Oxford or Cambridge- Your on top of the world
2:1 from Oxbridge=1st from Imperial, UCL, LSE, Durham, etc,
2:2 from Oxbridge= 1st from Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham etc
3rd from Oxbridge= 1st from Greenwhich, Kingston etc

This isnt my opinion, just remember seeing it somewhere on this forum.