What was your UK university experience like?
#1
What was your UK university experience like?
I thought about this while reading Gozit’s questions on UK schools (please excuse me being a copycat Gozit) – what’s it like to go to uni in the UK
What were your experiences like? What were good things you recall from your uni days and not so good? What’s it like to go to uni in the UK? What was it like for you?
Would you do it again and why yes or why not? I’m interested what’s it like going to uni in the UK, so whatever you might like to share (practical, pros and cons, memories with profs/mates, cool and/or annoying things) would be nice to read
Thank you
What were your experiences like? What were good things you recall from your uni days and not so good? What’s it like to go to uni in the UK? What was it like for you?
Would you do it again and why yes or why not? I’m interested what’s it like going to uni in the UK, so whatever you might like to share (practical, pros and cons, memories with profs/mates, cool and/or annoying things) would be nice to read
Thank you
#2
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
University for me was great and compared to other countries a bargain and good quality. I like the structure of education in the UK - more evenly distributed.
#3
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
No worries Carolina
Following this thread to see what people say.
Following this thread to see what people say.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
I had a great time but it was a long time ago.
My daughter is going to start at a Uk university on Wednesday
My nephews both had a positive experience though and so did all the children of friends. I only heard of one, the daughter of one of my husband's friends from work, who didn't like it and left. I don't know the details, I think the whole set-up didn't suit her.
If you look on the university websites, a lot have videos about studying, accommodation etc which give you a good flavour.
My daughter is going to start at a Uk university on Wednesday
My nephews both had a positive experience though and so did all the children of friends. I only heard of one, the daughter of one of my husband's friends from work, who didn't like it and left. I don't know the details, I think the whole set-up didn't suit her.
If you look on the university websites, a lot have videos about studying, accommodation etc which give you a good flavour.
#5
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
Oh I should add it was a long time ago for me too.
#6
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
Never went to uni, a complete utter waste of time i think.
Did School and College, that's enough for me.
I know one guy who got a PHD and guess what? he works in ASDA LOL
so... going to uni is god damn pointless.
Did School and College, that's enough for me.
I know one guy who got a PHD and guess what? he works in ASDA LOL
so... going to uni is god damn pointless.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
There is a personal development aspect, from the point of view of jobs you are probably right, unless it's for medicine, law and so on.
#8
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
Only one of my friend is a manager at British Gas (and he never went to UNI)
Just shows you...
#9
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
It depends on what you study I would imagine. There seem to be a fair amount of "underwater basket weaving" type majors out there. But if you are goal oriented, try not to change your major too often, and stick with it, it seems to open more and more doors here.
I did it for two years at home and dropped, too soon after sixth form for me. My brother loved it.
I did it for two years at home and dropped, too soon after sixth form for me. My brother loved it.
Last edited by SDDep; Sep 15th 2014 at 7:52 am.
#10
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
I went to university 20 years ago, so not too sure how relevant my experience is today.
I went to university as a mature student, graduating when I was 30.
Without a doubt, it was the best thing I have ever done. It took me from working in relatively low paid general administration type jobs (including junior management in retail) into a decent paying career in technology. I would never have been able to get a job in that arena without being able to 'tick the box' of having a degree.
I think I was very lucky with the timing - 20 years ago was just about the time of the explosion of higher education, so I was able to get a place with exam results which would not have got me a place immediately when I had left school 10 years previously. On the other hand, it was not so far into that explosion, so employers still valued a degree and even though my degree is just an average grade from a crappy ex-polytechnic it hadn't been totally devalued.
I went to university as a mature student, graduating when I was 30.
Without a doubt, it was the best thing I have ever done. It took me from working in relatively low paid general administration type jobs (including junior management in retail) into a decent paying career in technology. I would never have been able to get a job in that arena without being able to 'tick the box' of having a degree.
I think I was very lucky with the timing - 20 years ago was just about the time of the explosion of higher education, so I was able to get a place with exam results which would not have got me a place immediately when I had left school 10 years previously. On the other hand, it was not so far into that explosion, so employers still valued a degree and even though my degree is just an average grade from a crappy ex-polytechnic it hadn't been totally devalued.
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
I went to university 20 years ago, so not too sure how relevant my experience is today.
I went to university as a mature student, graduating when I was 30.
Without a doubt, it was the best thing I have ever done. It took me from working in relatively low paid general administration type jobs (including junior management in retail) into a decent paying career in technology. I would never have been able to get a job in that arena without being able to 'tick the box' of having a degree.
I think I was very lucky with the timing - 20 years ago was just about the time of the explosion of higher education, so I was able to get a place with exam results which would not have got me a place immediately when I had left school 10 years previously. On the other hand, it was not so far into that explosion, so employers still valued a degree and even though my degree is just an average grade from a crappy ex-polytechnic it hadn't been totally devalued.
I went to university as a mature student, graduating when I was 30.
Without a doubt, it was the best thing I have ever done. It took me from working in relatively low paid general administration type jobs (including junior management in retail) into a decent paying career in technology. I would never have been able to get a job in that arena without being able to 'tick the box' of having a degree.
I think I was very lucky with the timing - 20 years ago was just about the time of the explosion of higher education, so I was able to get a place with exam results which would not have got me a place immediately when I had left school 10 years previously. On the other hand, it was not so far into that explosion, so employers still valued a degree and even though my degree is just an average grade from a crappy ex-polytechnic it hadn't been totally devalued.
I was going to say, the value of a degree is not as high now because the sector has expanded so much.
#12
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
I think, in the years to come, alternatives such as apprenticeships etc will mature and become even more attractive as career paths. Not quite sure we are there yet, though.
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
My BIL works for City & Guilds and I think that sector is expanding.
#14
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
Having a decent degree (not a Media Studies degree from a little uni somewhere!) seems to be a filter now for most jobs (I'm a PA and even I see lots of ads saying a degree is essential - !!), without one I'm not sure most people would ever even get to interview stage.
I'm sure lots of people can have a job they love without a degree, and even have high flying six figure job without one, but it seems to be much harder these days with it being a pre-requisite for most decent jobs.
#15
Re: What was your UK university experience like?
Never went to Uni, but at the time I started work a degree wasn't necessary, in fact with an acceptable degree you could start one step up the adder, but the ladder was only in one aspect of the job. I did vocational qualifications instead, although the qualifications I got were classed as equilivalent to an honours degree. Now there is a specific degree course for the job I had, and without that you can forget getting a job.