Applying for uni next year..

willhub, building computers is not exactly a demanding job therfore does not require a degree. Like Fox said it may be best to work your way up from the bottom if that's the way you actually want to go. Just doesn't seem very ambitious to me and seems like you want more but you're not terribly clear about what you want. I don't expect a set job as an answer but a general direction would be nice because at the moment we're guessing. Do you really just want to be somebody on the production line???


[TW]Fox;15476838 said:
if you only managed fairly average marks in a BTEC National Diploma you wont come out of uni with a 2:1 or better surely? So why waste all that time and expense - why not get a job and work your way up using your practical skills?
Click to expand...

I've got to disagree with you here fox, just because he didn't do amazingly in his BTEC it does not mean he wont do well in a degree. Infact on my course it was actually the Geek squad with 4A's that struggled, where as i come through with 2:1 in my first and 2nd years which if i was going by my A-level results (C,C,E) i definitely should not of got.

Sound advice there from Chris1712. Might want to follow that up matey
 
staffs uni said:
All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience.
Click to expand...

I like the sound of that... I assume thats what it means, they dont just go on meaningless college marks?
 
Basher said:
Any Key Skills?
Click to expand...

Key Skills as in the actual Key Skills test? I have Communications level 1, Key Skills application of number (I think it's called), Level 1.

Don't think they mean much as they're the lowest? I had ECDL level 1 too, another qualification called CLAIT.

[TW]Fox;15476838 said:
Its really hard to keep offernig opinions without coming across as a **** but if you only managed fairly average marks in a BTEC National Diploma you wont come out of uni with a 2:1 or better surely? So why waste all that time and expense - why not get a job and work your way up using your practical skills?
Click to expand...

See this is the thing, I can't get a job through no fault but my own due to the lack of experience on my CV, all I have is 2 work experience placements in school and college, total combined of 3 weeks, then over the course of months I help at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust volunteering (Nothing computer related allthough I can go and help in the IT aspects of the YWT I've heard which I might do)

I don't know if you seen my CV when I posted a thread about it? Not much work experience. So would you think taking a year out to basically, get a full time job in anything, such as in a shop, on tills etc... be the best thing to add things to my CV?
 
isnt a foundation degree just an access course onto a full degree ? so surely you only do one if you are planning on going on to the next years
 
skippy2421 said:
I've got to disagree with you here fox, just because he didn't do amazingly in his BTEC it does not mean he wont do well in a degree. Infact on my course it was actually the Geek squad with 4A's that struggled, where as i come through with 2:1 in my first and 2nd years which if i was going by my A-level results (C,C,E) i definitely should not of got.
Click to expand...

3 A levels > BTEC.

My point still stands.
 
skippy2421 said:
I've got to disagree with you here fox, just because he didn't do amazingly in his BTEC it does not mean he wont do well in a degree. Infact on my course it was actually the Geek squad with 4A's that struggled, where as i come through with 2:1 in my first and 2nd years which if i was going by my A-level results (C,C,E) i definitely should not of got.

Sound advice there from Chris1712. Might want to follow that up matey
Click to expand...

Agreed, I scraped through my BTEC because I just did not hold my attention at all. It felt like a trivial waste of time to me. Ofcourse now I regret this viewpoint of the course but hey thats life.
So yeah now I'm on a fairly difficult degree and on target for a 2:1. Some people just aren't academically strong and need a strong interest or 'passion' to really perform in education.

[TW]Fox;15476999 said:
3 A levels > BTEC.

My point still stands.
Click to expand...

This is true. However, its not what colleges throw at you the whole time they're trying to enrol you.
 
[TW]Fox;15476999 said:
3 A levels > BTEC.

My point still stands.
Click to expand...

lol you're hard work you are. My point was just because you didn't do well before at college doen't mean you'll do badly at university. There could be many reasons why he didn't do well with his BTEC, perhaps it didn't motivate or excite him in any way and he got bored so didn't bother with it. A university course however may present more of a challenge to him and as a result he will try much harder. However i could be wrong but it's not set in stone and very much comes down to how much effort the individual is willing to put in.
 
If I'm in the right course with a subject I love then of course I'd put the best effort in and do my best. But everything has stuff people does not like. I think maybe I need to speak to a careers advisor.
 
It seems this is lesser known but many colleges do offer an Access to Higher Ed. course which lasts for a year (3 days a week), requires very little in the way of qualifications and if you pass you have an excellent chance at getting on to whichever Degree you like.

Check with your local college to see if they do it.
 
"andy" said:
isnt a foundation degree just an access course onto a full degree ? so surely you only do one if you are planning on going on to the next years
Click to expand...

the foundation degree im doing the first 2 years are at college then the last year is optional to go to uni to top it up to a full degree.

i dont know if this is the same everywhere though,

i did the BTEC nat dip in it system support and only got a PPP went straight into work got a fairly well paid job in a big IT department but found everyone around me that was in a higher position had a degree, eventually we all got made redundant which helped with my decision to start the foundation degree. Now that im older and more mature im finding it a lot easier doing the foundation degree so im hoping i do better than my PPP in the BTEC:p
 
Well from what I was told we'd be able to do it at either the MMU, or Sheffield Uni (the top up degree), but the Manchester College where trying to get it so we could actually do the BSc top up degree at the college, but I was thinking, well Leeds Uni is only 18 miles from home, I'd still live in accommodation at Leeds (So I'm not living with parents), but I'd rather go to leeds due to the area, it's better for me, but not sure if they'd do the top up degree.

I'm going to get in contact later this week after I've talked to my tutors at college I think.
 
The only person I know who skipped first year failed their 2nd year and had to go back and start all over in 1st year.


To the OP:

You need to realy think what you want to do in life. I doubt very much you need to do a BSc for most of the likely jobs you are thinking of. getting a degree for the sake of it is a waste of time. A BSc is only worth it if done properly - that means a tough course at a good university requiring massive commitment.
 
[TW]Fox;15476827 said:
You'll never be rich building PC's. It's bottom of the ladder work because its dead easy and anyone can do it.
Click to expand...

I'd like you to say that to a few Electronic Engineers :p

I would still recommend a foundation degree and then a full BSc. It's much more of an experience. You do need to think about whether uni is right for you. It'll be an expensive failure if your not committed.
 
If for example I wanted to go a totally different direction, would that then make the foundation degree I've done for 2 years a waste of time and money?
 
willhub said:
If for example I wanted to go a totally different direction, would that then make the foundation degree I've done for 2 years a waste of time and money?
Click to expand...

Foundation degrees are usually only a year. After that year you'll know if uni is for you or not.
 
More than likely, if you wanted to change courses within uni then an Access course is a much better choice. If its anything else then I dunno what to suggest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom