Importance of A-Levels

5 companys ?

theres thousands of companies looking for graduates

im sure most od those the points thing isnt definitive either , for example if you had loads of work expierience in that field and a top degree theyre not going to reject you because you did bad in an exam 4 years ago
 
"andy" said:
5 companys ?

theres thousands of companies looking for graduates

im sure most od those the points thing isnt definitive either , for example if you had loads of work expierience in that field and a top degree theyre not going to reject you because you did bad in an exam 5 years ago
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Directly fromt their websites and all of thses companies have been in the top 10 graduate recruiters. And you just mumble on, accept it UCAS points are important and shut up.

Davem
 
aayzof said:
I agree. The big playerss in their field carrying out research of international appearance very rarely lecture to undergrads - they're simply too busy conducting their research or working with graduates. I understand there will be exceptions to this rule but that's how it is, generally.

It's true that nearly all of my seminar leaders have been phd students - very rarely would a head of department take them. Having a higher RAE score probably attracts a higher calibre of student but it is no real indication of the education you will receive as an undergrad. In one half of my joint hons the department is the leading school in the country but I haven't even spoken to those conducting the most ground-breaking research.

I also agree that at undergrad level the reputation and prestige of the institution as a whole is more important than the reputation of the department. Most graduates go on to employment that is not directly related to their undergrad degree - it is likely that a big company won't have a clue that your little school at a mid-table institution is the best in the country - the job will probably go to the Durham or Bristol grad.

When you move onto post-grad stuff, however, the quality of your chosen department should be more important than the reputation of the uni.
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Hmm... I dont know. My PGrad supervisor is one of the UK's best in his field and the department is 5* rated. And he does give a 20 credit third year course, and it's very good too. He includes research level stuff where appropriate.

Davem
 
DAVEM said:
Directly fromt their websites and all of thses companies have been in the top 10 graduate recruiters. And you just mumble on, accept it UCAS points are important and shut up.

Davem
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Ok I will. Maybe I should give up my job. Ive gave an example of the number 1 not using A levels

A levels are important for some jobs and not important in others. Recruiting costs companys loads of money, using A levels is a 'free' way of distinguishing between candidates, maybe this is why the oil companies don't use them, they can afford to do 'proper' selection processes?

In summary, they dont matter sometimes and others they do. There is no correct answer
 
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Simon said:
Ok I will. Maybe I should give up my job. Ive gave an example of the number 1 not using A levels

A levels are important for some jobs and not important in others. Recruiting costs companys loads of money, using A levels is a 'free' way of distinguishing between candidates, maybe this is why the oil companies don't use them, they can afford to do 'proper' selection processes?

In summary, they dont matter sometimes and others they do. There is no correct answer
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Maybe this is why the oil companies don't say they use them
 
Simon said:
Ok I will. Maybe I should give up my job. Ive gave an example of the number 1 not using A levels

A levels are important for some jobs and not important in others. Recruiting costs companys loads of money, using A levels is a 'free' way of distinguishing between candidates, maybe this is why the oil companies don't use them, they can afford to do 'proper' selection processes?

In summary, they dont matter sometimes and others they do. There is no correct answer
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The annoying thing about your posts is that you do not proove that BP don't place large emphasis on Alevel results? You say "I have crap alevels etc..." but how the hell do we know? I've posted ACTUAL entrance requirements for 5 leading employers. BP wouldn't say "sorry you have over 300 UCAS points, we're not going to consider you".... HENCE having good alevel points IS important as TOP EMPLOYERS ARE insisting on good Alevels.

If you have crap Alevels fair enough you might scab a job with a major company, my point is your chance is greatly increased if you DO HAVE GOOD ALEVELs. If you cant see that point then god help BP.

Davem
 
DAVEM said:
The annoying thing about your posts is that you do not proove that BP don't place large emphasis on Alevel results? You say "I have crap alevels etc..." but how the hell do we know? I've posted ACTUAL entrance requirements for 5 leading employers. BP wouldn't say "sorry you have over 300 UCAS points, we're not going to consider you".... HENCE having good alevel points IS important as TOP EMPLOYERS ARE insisting on good Alevels.

If you have crap Alevels fair enough you might scab a job with a major company, my point is your chance is greatly increased if you DO HAVE GOOD ALEVELs. If you cant see that point then god help BP.

Davem
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They obviously saw past my A levels is my point and indeed what I thought this whole thread was about. D in Maths, E in physics and and N in geography (best in the year I may add)

BP had no requirement on A levels, simply asked for a 2:1 and there interview followed by a 2 day assessment centre allows them to pick the candidates they are after rather than simply people who did well at A levels who may not have the aptitute/other skills required.

I dont really know why you are arguing with me? I am simply providing another side to the discussion. Just because it doesnt agree with you then you seem to think I am wrong.

How rude, god help them? So you make the assumption good A levels means you are clever and stupid if you have bad A levels? I could go back now and get As in both maths and physics A level exams simply because of what I studied on my degree at uni.

I am posting to, hopefully, show those at uni now who are working hard and may have poor A levels that not all is over. Maybe I should just be a pessimist like you?
 
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Simon said:
They obviously saw past my A levels is my point and indeed what I thought this whole thread was about. D in Maths, E in physics and and N in geography (best in the year I may add)

BP had no requirement on A levels, simply asked for a 2:1 and there interview followed by a 2 day assessment centre allows them to pick the candidates they are after rather than simply people who did well at A levels who may not have the aptitute/other skills required.

I dont really know why you are arguing with me? I am simply providing another side to the discussion. Just because it doesnt agree with you then you seem to think I am wrong.

How rude, god help them? So you make the assumption good A levels means you are clever and stupid if you have bad A levels? I could go back now and get As in both maths and physics A level exams simply because of what I studied on my degree at uni.
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I'll make it simple, the question is on the "importance of A-Levels". Is it
A) Better to have A-Levels and MANY leading companies require good Alevels for a graduate position
B) Alevels dont matter nowhere askes for good alevels, degrees are more important

I think the answer is clear from my posts and you're an special case not the norm.

Davem
 
DAVEM said:
I'll make it simple, the question is on the "importance of A-Levels". Is it
A) Better to have A-Levels and MANY leading companies require good Alevels for a graduate position
B) Alevels dont matter nowhere askes for good alevels, degrees are more important

I think the answer is clear from my posts and you're an special case not the norm.

Davem
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Answer is C) Bit of both. :)
None of the oil majors ask for them. Each taking on over 100 grads a year
 
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Pretty sure grad rec departments everywhere will admit that there are people who don’t meet their UCAS requirements who could actually do the job well. However, recruiting costs time and money so people have to be filtered somehow in the early stages.

Some people get unlucky, but many others simply can’t be bothered at A-level / they do just enough work to meet their uni requirements but no more / don’t have the ability to get higher marks even if they wanted to. To the extent that A levels convey some information about ability and effort, it’s not snobbery or stupidity to create minimum standards, irrespective of whether you got a 1st or a 2:1. There's something to be said for consistency of performance. Still, they’re far from perfect, which is why it’s not the sole criteria anyone uses for hiring.

Even with such UCAS & degree requirements competitive law firms, accountancy companies, consultancies and banks can reject 10 people for every 1 they hire. They don’t see the need to increase the pool of applicants and run even more 1st round interviews, 2nd round interviews, aptitude tests, assessment days, etc
 
DAVEM said:
I'll make it simple, the question is on the "importance of A-Levels". Is it
A) Better to have A-Levels and MANY leading companies require good Alevels for a graduate position
B) Alevels dont matter nowhere askes for good alevels, degrees are more important

I think the answer is clear from my posts and you're an special case not the norm.

Davem
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Since he's talking about BP I'll say what I know about Shell International. Academically-speaking, they put the emphasis only on your highest level of study which in most cases is a degree. If you happen to have a masters then that is what they will focus on instead. A-levels just don't come into it.

To distinguish between graduates they first hold interviews and then invite people in to their 'Recruitment Days'. The day essentially revolves around three sessions. In the first there is a small element of roleplay but it boils down to having to make a 5-minute presentation based on a small information pack they are given on the day, with little time for preparation.

The second is more team-based and shows how well each candidate can handle themselves in group discussions, the theme chosen also gives an insight into their personalities (a key part is the 'disruption' that occurs midway through in order to assess how well they can think on their feet).

The third is again a presentation but this time for 20 minutes, based on any topic the graduate chooses.

That's how my dad describes it to me anyway and he was doing recruitment work for them until July this year.

Perhaps the distinction needs to be made between International and chiefly UK-based companies? With the latter stipulating A-level requirements and the former more typically relying on other methods of differentiation (recruitment days, psychometric testing).
 
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I work for the largest multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy in Europe and have involvement in the recruiting of new members of staff, both Graduates and experienced staff. We dont tend to focus too much on A-levels for Graduates, just conduct our own technical assessment and look at how they are doing in their degree studies along with any internship experience, summer placements or group projects at university.

What Im getting at is there is no specific factor in selecting a candidate and certainly we have employed people with less than the corporate B, B in Maths and Physics due to their aptitude in other areas. Fortunatley our company has a large number of engineers in MD positions and realise not all the academics make good engineers; reminds me of a final year propulsion lecture on gas turbines back at uni when the 'book engineer' straight A 1st class student asked 'What is a bearing?' Yeah, just the type of reactive person you need for a consultancy...
 
simon is on a crusade to hold up the fact that he got in with so few points as testament to the lack of importance of a levels. this is wrong and in some ways underplays the actual ability i am sure he has.

the op was saying how he did not realise that so many grad jobs place such an emphasis and with this in mind there is no getting away from the fact that any FOMRAL graduate scheme will usually require top a level grades.

now that does not mean that you are completley lost; you might sneak your way in, or just be that naturally good - simon you decide which you believe you to be.

whilst we do see the odd front office banker with d's and e's the chances are most will have far better.

i think simon is making a valid point in the need for a rounded application - a levels are not the be all and end all. in many cases, however, it is a pre-requisite to getting in.

with regard to bp's process there are many points to make. simon's point that he got in despite poor a levels does not reflect that he is a poor candidate. just like some people get into grad jobs with a third class in extreme cases. the assessment centre clearly means he can do the skills required to a decent standard. would he have gotten the job if he had a similarly poor mark on the assessment day?

the bottom line is that good a levels widen your pool of options. if you want a top graduate position then the chances are you will need decent a levels. simon - you must be that great that they could not live without you... i bet some of your colleagues have good a levels. could they then come on here and say that bp does favour good grades? ergo, one case does not represent a common trend. the common trend is for the need to have good a levels.
 
I really do sit here shocked at people who say they "messed up badly" and "got crap grades" then post up something like BBC. If i had those i'd be over the moon. Fact of the matter is my 6th form was crap, poorly structured and understaffed, the work wasn't challenging and a lot of the time i just didn't go.

I ended up staying there for 3 years and got:

Biology AS:E
Maths A-level:E
IT A-level: D
Fine Art A-level:C
Graphics AS: B

So thats 180 ucas points for A-levels and 80 points for AS-levels. I've since gone on to do a BTEC diploma in fine art with which i got a pass, which is 120 ucas points.

Now do i add all those up as UCAS points or is it only the A-levels that count or do the A-levels and BTEC count? I've got my place at loughborough uni to further my fine art skills, so not too shabby on the uni standard.

If i add up all my points i get 380, if i add only A-level and BTEC i get 300.





My ideal job would be something like concept art or working in the design department for a computer game/biking company. I've already had an offer from 2 bike companies for help with various things like frame graphics design. I reckon i'll easily find something i'd enjoy, so does it really matter? Well from what i've gathered already the companies have been more interested in my personality and my ideas.....

...based on what i've experienced with regards to the jobs i'd love to do, i'd say A-levels aren't so important, but then i find arty based stuff so amazing to do and never really was interested in the harder academic jobs so i can't say on account of every type of job.... they'll all be different depending on the company.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
I work for the largest multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy in Europe and have involvement in the recruiting of new members of staff, both Graduates and experienced staff. We dont tend to focus too much on A-levels for Graduates, just conduct our own technical assessment and look at how they are doing in their degree studies along with any internship experience, summer placements or group projects at university.

What Im getting at is there is no specific factor in selecting a candidate and certainly we have employed people with less than the corporate B, B in Maths and Physics due to their aptitude in other areas. Fortunatley our company has a large number of engineers in MD positions and realise not all the academics make good engineers; reminds me of a final year propulsion lecture on gas turbines back at uni when the 'book engineer' straight A 1st class student asked 'What is a bearing?' Yeah, just the type of reactive person you need for a consultancy...
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there.. somoene who actually has a clue has posted .

thanks for posting :)
 
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