Who feels British degrees are too restrictive?

Also bear in mind some of the greatest and most interesting intellectuals around today are American, brought up in the broader liberal arts education system and yet still at the top of their fields. I think more breadth not only makes you a better-functioning citizen in today's society, but also allows you to approach your chosen field of specialization from a variety of different perspectives and hence to bring deeper insights to it. All disciplines have subtly different approaches to knowledge, and restricting yourself to one essentially restricts yourself to viewing the world through one lens only.

Yes we have had many years of general education, culminating in the GCSEs, but I believe the level of that education is far lower than it should be. Because of the British education system, I was able to give up all forms of science by the time I was 15, meaning I was essentially handicapped for about 3 years. The little science I did know was a) probably incorrect and b) far from adequate. How can I claim to understand the modern world without a decent knowledge and understanding of science?

Specialization is a good thing, but the British system has too much too early. The American system, even the Scottish system, would be an improvement.

Just to clarify, no ones opinion is the universal golden standard. I could likewise list countless great polymaths who did excel in numerous fields. As a scientist I am a great supporter of scientists excelling in the arts as well, since these complement each other.
Also, if you do a little reading into the theory of creativity you will notice that one general conclusion is the importance of the use of both the left and right side of the brain, this being achieved by both doing mathematico-physical activities as well as arts-related things.

It's simple - if you want a broad education, you go to America. If you want a slightly narrower but still fairly broad one, you go to Scotland or (some parts of) Wales. If you want to focus solely on one subject, you go to England.

It's really not that simple.

Personally I think a lot of peoples degree choices these days leave them with little of no advantage when they graduate. Unless you want to go into politics for example, what does that actually give you in terms of skills to sell to an employer? Perhaps you can write in a concise way and aren't totally daft.

I think you really need to look at something which gives a proper defined career path otherwise you risk losing 3 years wages and 20k of debt for next to nothing.

Yes, but that's not what you said in your previous post.

I agree with the OP that British degrees are too restrictive. For this reason, I am contemplating applying to the US as well as to the 5 UK universities through UCAS. There are courses available in the US that I have had no exposure to during A levels (like certain modern languages) and who knows whether I am good at them or whether I'd enjoy them or not, seeing as the British system has given me no opportunity to try them? I love the sound of the liberal arts system.

I agree with the OP that British degrees are too restrictive. For this reason, I am contemplating applying to the US as well as to the 5 UK universities through UCAS. There are courses available in the US that I have had no exposure to during A levels (like certain modern languages) and who knows whether I am good at them or whether I'd enjoy them or not, seeing as the British system has given me no opportunity to try them? I love the sound of the liberal arts system.

Well, it is, because you have no choice, really. Either you do what you want to do, regardless of other complications, or you put up with what you're offered because you literally don't have a choice. It's not nice, but it's definitely fairly simple.