Is 5 years in university too long?

Hi all,

I don't think my A-Level results went too good and I might have to do a foundation year ontop of my 4-year university degree (Arabic & Int. Relations W/ Year Abroad)

Is 5 years too long to spend on an undergrad when most other degrees are only 3 years?

Thanks!!

Reply 1

McGinger

If that's the only way you can do the degree you want to do, then what's the problem.

Reply 2

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by vAimed

Hi all,
I don't think my A-Level results went too good and I might have to do a foundation year ontop of my 4-year university degree (Arabic & Int. Relations W/ Year Abroad)
Is 5 years too long to spend on an undergrad when most other degrees are only 3 years?
Thanks!!

Hi,

Your degree journey is personal to you so don't compare it to others. Also, foundation years are not something to be ashamed of so again please don't worry about that either.

Once you've graduated you'll leave with a degree the same as everyone else on the course whether it took 3 years or 5 years the classification is all that matters not the length of time it took. And yes, other degrees may only be 3 years but there are also many more that are 4 if not 5 years when you add on foundation years, study abroad, placement years, deferrals etc. so there will be hundreds of other graduates taking 5 years and that's before you even consider degrees like medicine.

All that matters is that you study the degree you want and get the grade at the end of it that you need to get you the job / further education you want to do - the time taken does not matter in the slightest!

Hope this helps and reassures - Ella, Lancaster University Student Ambassador

Reply 3

vAimed

Original post by McGinger

If that's the only way you can do the degree you want to do, then what's the problem.

Yeah, I know I want to do this degree 100% but I just feel like I might be behind in life. You know what I mean?

Reply 4

McGinger

Original post by vAimed

Yeah, I know I want to do this degree 100% but I just feel like I might be behind in life. You know what I mean?

Once you get to Uni, no-one gives a monkeys how old you are. Graduate employers will not care how long your degree was - they will like the year abroad as that adds 'experience' and context, and usually increases your confidence/maturity etc.

Reply 5

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by vAimed

Hi all,
I don't think my A-Level results went too good and I might have to do a foundation year ontop of my 4-year university degree (Arabic & Int. Relations W/ Year Abroad)
Is 5 years too long to spend on an undergrad when most other degrees are only 3 years?
Thanks!!

Ultimately 5 versus 3/4 years relative to the rest of your life (where you may well find you’ll be working till 70) is not that significant.

What I would recommend doing in making sure you study a degree that will open the doors to the opportunities you want (essentially spend 5 years building expertise & skills that you will value).