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University degrees: what’s the difference?

(106 Posts)
vickymeldrew Mon 21-Jan-19 22:37:14

My niece worked hard and was accepted on to a physics degree course at a Russell Group University. The entrance requirements were higher than at some other universities and it was generally accepted that this university is a centre of excellence for physics. Fast forward three/four years and she obtained a 2:2. She was disappointed not to get a first or a 2:1 but took solace in the fact that the course had ben demanding and the teaching inspiring. Now applying for jobs and/or other courses she finds the online application processes often automatically exclude applications with any result lower than a 2:1. It is not even possible to say where this degree was obtained to show any merit in the university or level of challenge. It is hard to disagree with my niece when she says she would have been better to go to a local college with low entrance requirements and patchy tuition where she might well have obtained a first. Surely the university you attend should make a difference?

MiltonMcClary Tue 19-Feb-19 08:34:32

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MawBroon Tue 19-Feb-19 08:43:32

And perhaps learn to write decent English? hmm
Reported of course, but hardly necessarygrin

annodomini Tue 19-Feb-19 09:48:58

I have an MA (Hons) because all Scottish Arts graduates were Masters as opposed to Science graduates who were Bachelors. I say 'were' as I don't know if this is still the case. It can cause some confusion alongside English University degrees. I think my son's Strathclyde degree is BA(Hons) which he followed by MBA from a southern uni.

Starlady Wed 20-Feb-19 15:03:31

First, congratulations to your niece for doing so well in a challenging subject! Second, I know she must be very disappointed at what's happening with the job applications. Imo, employers miss out on a lot of talent by having such rigid requirements, but I know they have to weed out applicants, as pps (previous posters) have said. Third, I'm sure she'll get a job, eventually, as pps have also said. I hope she's not getting discouraged. I haven't applied for a job for a long time, so Idk how it works these days, lol, but I wonder if going to places in person would help? Also, I agree that once she gets that first job, it will be easier. So I hope she takes whatever comes along and doesn't insist on waiting for her "dream job," as some young people do. But I know there's nothing you can do about that, unless, maybe she asks for your advice.

MargaretX Wed 20-Feb-19 16:03:38

If 25% are getting a first then the degree course was too easy!
A first should be a first and actually only about 10% should achieve it.
Another reason she may be overlooked is that she is a woman who will one day want a child. Science is a difficult job to work part time in. DD2 worked in the only job she was offered in a diagnostic firm and she hated it but they needed the money. Then she left and had two children and stayed at home coaching students.
When she had care arranged for her children she was offered several jobs as they thought quite rightly that she wouldn't be having another.

We have friends whose son and DIL are in the US, working as scientists and they can't get further work in Europe and they only get told they should have studied medicine as thats the qualification for research these days.
Who'd be a scientist?
I wish her luck and perhaps she could widen her appraoch and go abroad or leave home to get started.