Do some degrees have less worth than others?
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An objective measure is the average graduate salary and % employed within 6 months of graduation from different degrees. Engineering, sciences, maths will objectively lead to higher paid jobs and a greater chance of finding employment, which reflects the fact that these jobs are of great importance to society and have a high demand.
Of course that is a gross generalization, but it is fairly obvious if you obtain a good degree in maths from oxbridge then you have a higher chance of contributing significantly to society- of course am art student might become the next Picasso.....
on another objective level, a scientists may may significant contributions in finding a cure for cancer, even if Mozart is reborn I think the cure for cancer is of higher value.
Of course that is a gross generalization, but it is fairly obvious if you obtain a good degree in maths from oxbridge then you have a higher chance of contributing significantly to society- of course am art student might become the next Picasso.....
on another objective level, a scientists may may significant contributions in finding a cure for cancer, even if Mozart is reborn I think the cure for cancer is of higher value.
I meant a studying intensity difference and work load.
She had a few friends there who were studying Music and now are working in totally unrelated positions (Civil Service and FCO). But because they have a degree from Cambridge this shows that they can work to a certain standard.(It could be down to Graduate fairs and firms directly targeting Oxbridge instituations though).
She had a few friends there who were studying Music and now are working in totally unrelated positions (Civil Service and FCO). But because they have a degree from Cambridge this shows that they can work to a certain standard.(It could be down to Graduate fairs and firms directly targeting Oxbridge instituations though).
I see, so the value of the institution rather than the subject. I can agree with that to some extent.
Some of the responses in here make me raise eyebrows, particuarly things like this.
I mean really, what twaddle. Is 'worth' really about financial prowess? The ability to give something back to society (a totally empty notion)? How soon you can find a job? Pffft.
Oooo great you can design a bridge. That don't impress me much. So you got the looks but have you got the touch. Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright. But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night.
The only objective way you can judge how much something is worth is how happy it makes you feel. That goes for just about everything in life.
I mean really, what twaddle. Is 'worth' really about financial prowess? The ability to give something back to society (a totally empty notion)? How soon you can find a job? Pffft.
Oooo great you can design a bridge. That don't impress me much. So you got the looks but have you got the touch. Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright. But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night.
The only objective way you can judge how much something is worth is how happy it makes you feel. That goes for just about everything in life.
Institution is incredibly important, by reputation alone makes a big difference even if the actual teaching quality is worse than others.
Shall we have a "Recent Graduates Finding Out the Job Market Sucks Party"? I'm in the same boat, I know people with better degree's than yours or mine who are too.
My you gets sister has landed her dream job before she has even sat her finals.
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Maybe I'm playing devils advocate here, but what would the difference be between a Media Studies degree and an degree in English Literature? Even if they were both from a 1994 group university, both degrees involve textual analysis just of different mediums yet one is always joked about.
[edit] In answer to the OP, I think a degree in Science, Maths or Engineering has more 'worth' because the marking would be more binary, in the sense that with Maths, you either learn the formulae or you don't and fail, but that's worth in the sense of employment as these degrees would tend to get the person a graduate job. To many others though the degree would show an interest in a specific field, say theatre or photography and the course would have developed this.
I took a degree in TV production and many of my course mates work in the industry as did , the degree allowed us, by means of practice, to develop the ability to make films. Would we have been able to do this without the course? Yes, but it wouldn't have the same effect such as experienced tutors (ex BBC producers/directors for example), industry standard equipment and the support of your peers.
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Actually in Engineering you DO need a degree if your company works internationally, customers from most European countries and USA insist on Engineers with degrees working on their projects. True, they can also use non-degree qualified staff to support the job, but real Engineers are needed first and foremost.
The problem here isn't with other countries it's that the title 'Engineer' isn't protected in the UK and your plumber or car mechanic call themselves Engineers, when they are technicians. It's like a nurse calling themselves a Doctor; they perform a vital role, but only some people have the capacity to study Engineering degrees (or medicine).
Yes some degrees are worth less than others.
Half expect a large number of the joke degrees that exist today to disappear now that the funding has been cut. People won't do the nicest mouse degrees if they have to pay for them.
Half expect a large number of the joke degrees that exist today to disappear now that the funding has been cut. People won't do the nicest mouse degrees if they have to pay for them.
http://www.engc.org.uk/ecukdocuments/internet/document library/UK-SPEC.pdf
Not true......you do not necessarily need a degree to become a Chartered Engineer, you have to demonstrate you have the necessary competence through working experience.
In the US it is entirely possible to obtain State Engineering Licences without a formal degree, you need references from a State accredited Engineer and need to pass the competences set out in State accreditation...a degree serves as part of those competences, but is not the only way of demonstrating them.
Unless you are suggesting that the EngTech, IEng and CEng are not internationally recognised?
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No they're not, in fact some graduate programmes specifically require a fashion degree. For example:
http://www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/careers/opportunities/graduates-1/Graduate-Roles/buying
But nothing.....you do not need a degree. Which is exactly what I stated and you specifically said was not true.
That the standard of demonstrable ability and experience required for accreditation remains the same is immaterial as all it means is that a degree is one way of demonstrating that, but not the only way.
You were wrong, simply accept it and move on.
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