Why university isn't as good as you think
Common university stereotypes that people make:
1. 'Going to university means you're likely to earn more money than those who don't have a degree'
This was true 20+ years ago but in the 21st Century, a degree is no guarantee of a good, well-paid job and employers would like to see experience.
2. 'A degree can open up doors to you'
It depends. You can easily open up doors to your professional life anywhere, not just at university.
3. 'Uni is where you meet lifelong friends'
You can make lifelong friends at any point in life, you don't need to waste money on a degree to have good friends.
4. 'You meet people from all over the world'
True but you can also do this elsewhere. Going on holiday or travelling, for instance. You don't have need university to expand your social network.
5. 'You only have to pay it back if you earn over a certain amount so it's not that bad'
You have to be earning £25,000 before you pay it back which isn't a lot of money. Most uni students will graduate saddled with debt.
1. 'Going to university means you're likely to earn more money than those who don't have a degree'
This was true 20+ years ago but in the 21st Century, a degree is no guarantee of a good, well-paid job and employers would like to see experience.
2. 'A degree can open up doors to you'
It depends. You can easily open up doors to your professional life anywhere, not just at university.
3. 'Uni is where you meet lifelong friends'
You can make lifelong friends at any point in life, you don't need to waste money on a degree to have good friends.
4. 'You meet people from all over the world'
True but you can also do this elsewhere. Going on holiday or travelling, for instance. You don't have need university to expand your social network.
5. 'You only have to pay it back if you earn over a certain amount so it's not that bad'
You have to be earning £25,000 before you pay it back which isn't a lot of money. Most uni students will graduate saddled with debt.
Reply 1
The drop out rate for degree apprenticeships is 50% and there’s very little data showing employment prospects after a degree apprenticeship (most degree apprenticeship employers don’t guarantee a job after graduation)
Reply 2
11
Just out of interest… where and what did you study?
Reply 3
Original post
by Eg3756Just out of interest… where and what did you study?
I studied at a city-based university.
(edited 11 months ago)
Reply 4
Original post
by PQThe drop out rate for degree apprenticeships is 50% and there’s very little data showing employment prospects after a degree apprenticeship (most degree apprenticeship employers don’t guarantee a job after graduation)
I don't think that's true, where are you getting your evidence from?
Reply 5
11
Original post
by A318I studied English language at Manchester.
Did you not enjoy the academic pursuit of your subject at university and drinking in local culture - (as someone who lives in Manchester but will be moving away for university) it’s great and vast.
Reply 6
Original post
by A318I don't think that's true, where are you getting your evidence from?
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships/2023-24
"The National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) present detailed tables of provider level Qualification Achievement Rates (QARs) that we use for performance management and informed choice purposes."
"Achievement rates are based on the individual apprenticeship programmes that were completed in the relevant year (Hybrid End Year). They are calculated as the number of programme aims achieved divided by the number started, excluding the programme aims of any learners that transferred onto another qualification within the same institution."
Degree Apprenticeships (both level 6 and 7) are classed as "Higher Level" apprenticeships in these stats. In the most recent year only 54% of the people expected to finish actually qualified.
Reply 7
Original post
by Eg3756Did you not enjoy the academic pursuit of your subject at university and drinking in local culture - (as someone who lives in Manchester but will be moving away for university) it’s great and vast.
As hypocritical as it sounds, I don't really like cities nor do I drink. I went there because it was the cheapest of all the options. It's certainly a good university for academics but it sort of killed off any interest I had in the subject.
Reply 8
11
Original post
by A318As hypocritical as it sounds, I don't really like cities nor do I drink. I went there because it was the cheapest of all the options. It's certainly a good university for academics but it sort of killed off any interest I had in the subject.
Ah- seems like you made the wrong choice then, rather than Uni universally being a bad thing?
Reply 9
Original post
by Eg3756Ah- seems like you made the wrong choice then, rather than Uni universally being a bad thing?
I don't think university is 'universally a bad thing' but I do think it's highly overrated and people make it out to be a wonderful thing. Also, many people in my class have not had particularly great success with finding employment but I guess that's just life.
Reply 10
Original post
by A318I don't think university is 'universally a bad thing' but I do think it's highly overrated and people make it out to be a wonderful thing. Also, many people in my class have not had particularly great success with finding employment but I guess that's just life.
Calling university is overrated is a bit of a stretch because everyone has their own experiences. You just hear more positive stories than negative ones, and people attribute that with uni itself.
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