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Does Prestige matter at undergrad?

So I'm stuck between two universities to put as my firm choice and I've been mulling over a question for a while now.

Does prestige matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgraduate?

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Clarification: Does the prestigiousness of the university and league table position matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgrad degree afterwards?
According to the answers I've gotten from a past thread of mine similar to yours, it depends on course and what career you are pursuing.
Original post by JDieMstr
According to the answers I've gotten from a past thread of mine similar to yours, it depends on course and what career you are pursuing.




Hmm, I'll narrow it down, specifically in Policing/Criminal Justice.
Reply 4
For a competitive course like economics, does it matter
Reply 5
It does but its not a massive contributing factor.
Original post by IntrovertPizza
Hmm, I'll narrow it down, specifically in Policing/Criminal Justice.


Personally, I think it shouldn't unless the Uni is renowned for that particular course or a set of courses and that being one of it. Nevertheless, I think @Doonesbury can end your worrying with his famous graph, which already has enlightened me before.
Matters less and less and less because degrees used to be differentiating merits. Made recruitment filtering easier and made identifying more talented/exceptional people quicker. Now everyone and their Mum have degrees, it's pretty much nothing, unless you're doing one of a few highly specialised degrees.

Experience+Degree+Little/No Prestige>Prestige+Degree+No Experience

Oops, you said postgrad lel, I can't imagine it'd matter in Policing lol
Reply 8
Original post by HateOCR
It does but its not a massive contributing factor.


Your experiences show your motivation and prove you are ready to work. A degree is there just to show you are competent academically. Don’t worry too much about where you go as long as you earn the degree with a good grade like a 2:1 then you should be fine
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by IntrovertPizza
So I'm stuck between two universities to put as my firm choice and I've been mulling over a question for a while now.

Does prestige matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgraduate?


Prestige is a brand of saucepans, some battered examples of which your parents might give you when you go up to university.
Original post by IntrovertPizza
So I'm stuck between two universities to put as my firm choice and I've been mulling over a question for a while now.

Does prestige matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgraduate?


https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=74133906#post74133906

Check the posts made by Doonesbury. This should be some help to you even if the course in question is different.
Business especially and Law imo, i judge economics finance and management as business btw. Though economics is often its own department its still a very business oriented course....It teaches you human rational behind money... Where it really doesnt play a role suprisingly is Medicine, a doctor is a doctor. Especially in the UK.. Also for a seemingly non vocational degree like English or History, Philosophy that gives you that analytical thinking and reasoning skills a prestigious brand name university is important.. STEM it plays a role but more of a minimal role..the courses are very similar everywhere in sciences... However, you will never notice that you degree is too prestigious, may however painfully notice it isnt respected.
Original post by somemightsay888
Matters less and less and less because degrees used to be differentiating merits. Made recruitment filtering easier and made identifying more talented/exceptional people quicker. Now everyone and their Mum have degrees, it's pretty much nothing, unless you're doing one of a few highly specialised degrees.

Experience+Degree+Little/No Prestige>Prestige+Degree+No Experience

Oops, you said postgrad lel, I can't imagine it'd matter in Policing lol


I'd disagree, if everyone is getting degrees which they aren't and there's a huge increase in grade inflation where a 1st is almost and 2.2 these days. Well it's going to be a huge factor for postgrad where you attended especially if you want to apply to a good uni.
Reply 13
To a point. It does depend on what you want to do though i.e. if you want to go work in finance or law it tends to make a difference - but not always. Equallyif you intend to pursue graduate study it wont matter so much at under grad.
Original post by IntrovertPizza
So I'm stuck between two universities to put as my firm choice and I've been mulling over a question for a while now.

Does prestige matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgraduate?


Postgrad is not very competitive, so no. A half-decent 2:1 from anywhere will get you in.
Thank you for all the advice and opinions, it makes me feel much more secure in picking a university to firm. I used Policing/Criminal Justice as a basic guideline, but honestly Im not yet sure which path in that step I wish to take. I'm hoping Uni can help out with that via the modules and stuff.
Original post by IntrovertPizza
So I'm stuck between two universities to put as my firm choice and I've been mulling over a question for a while now.

Does prestige matter at undergraduate if you plan to study a postgraduate?


Yes and no.

If you plan on even considering a career in a competitive role within a competitive industry, then prestige (and the benefits that come along with it) matters. Employers targeting your university, classmates having similar aspirations and unique extra-curricular opportunities are all by-products of going to a good/top university

However. If your career is largely vocational and somewhat guaranteed (i.e. medicine, allied health, nursing, dentistry etc) then it doesn't matter in the slightest.

In between the two extremes.. I would say there is a marginal effect on going to a 'better' uni just for the better connections, more challenging/interesting work and potentially better opportunities. Most employers care more about what you do outside of just academics and oftentimes, ergo, going somewhere with more opportunity is undeniably helpful.
Reply 17
Original post by IntrovertPizza
Hmm, I'll narrow it down, specifically in Policing/Criminal Justice.


Original post by JDieMstr
Personally, I think it shouldn't unless the Uni is renowned for that particular course or a set of courses and that being one of it. Nevertheless, I think @Doonesbury can end your worrying with his famous graph, which already has enlightened me before.


:popout: Did someone mention the graph?!

Exhibit 7.5 - factors for grads.png
ofc it matters, inherit biases exist
Reply 19
I have heard some people say it does matter, but really, at the end of the day it is not only about the university you went to. Your degree could be from a top uni but not really suited to your career plans - what is the point then, if you do not get the set of modules that provide you with the specific skills you need? Having said that, if you are planning to go beyond undergrad, top institutions tend to get more funding, especially if they care a lot about the department you will be in. But, on the other hand, I have learnt from my own experience that a poorly-known institution does not equal a bad degree.
I am speaking from my experience and that of my friends though, and we are all more or less in biology-related degrees, so might not necessarily be the same for you
(edited 6 years ago)

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