Perceptions of BA without hons?

omelette451

bestpud wrote: »

Why on earth would anyone complain, or suggest you had it easier because you were assessed with finals?

I know it doesn't apply across the board and I was referring to my uni when I made that comment. I think it is more common now than it was when I first researched unis in 2004/5 though, so perhaps it is slowly rolling out.

Oxbridge unis will differ in quite a few ways though so can't really be used as a comparison imo. It's a very different experience I think, and becoming more so.

I don't disagree with any of that. Indeed, for most people there was some sort of coursework-assessed study, just not for me because of the particular papers I chose. (Which is itself a benefit of our old-fashioned system - we could study pretty much anything we liked as long as there was a tutor with an interest in it!)

Anyway, I put that last bit in because I was mindful of the usual sort of unhelpful 'dumbing-down' and 'Mickey-Mouse-degree' comments that the sort of thing I said tend to attract from certain people who don't know any better. I didn't mean anyone here in particular, I just didn't want the thread to go completely off-topic and be a launch-pad for an 'isn't everything crap nowadays' rant to detract from your success.

bestpud

omelette451 wrote: »

I don't disagree with any of that. Indeed, for most people there was some sort of coursework-assessed study, just not for me because of the particular papers I chose. (Which is itself a benefit of our old-fashioned system - we could study pretty much anything we liked as long as there was a tutor with an interest in it!)

Anyway, I put that last bit in because I was mindful of the usual sort of unhelpful 'dumbing-down' and 'Mickey-Mouse-degree' comments that the sort of thing I said tend to attract from certain people who don't know any better. I didn't mean anyone here in particular, I just didn't want the thread to go completely off-topic and be a launch-pad for an 'isn't everything crap nowadays' rant to detract from your success.

Lol, no worries; I'm happy with my choices but agree with the type of comments you highlight.

I think many degrees are 'worthless' tbh.

By that I mean it's not an achievement in itself any more, unless it is from a very good university.

This seems to have been lost on many students though and hence we have people getting to the end of their final year before realising they will not walk into the job of their dreams by virtue of being a graduate!

I can't begin to describe how I've gained from being at uni, but my reasons for doing it were never work related, or indeed for anyone but myself, so it didn't really matter where I went or what I did iyswim.

We've always had a hierarchy of universities but I think it is going to matter more as time goes on and would urge young people or those set on a graduate career to aim as high as they can.