Nice people thread part 4 - sugar and spice and all things

zagubov

I don't know if any other NPs have kids old enough to be looking at higher education, but it feels like choices of degree courses seem to be smartening up nowadays. DD came back from a university open day this week and passed on info of a new broader type of degree that I'd never heard of before.

It's an Arts and Science degree (BASc) - You get your arts subjects, your science subjects, a foreign language and an internship - http://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/. It's all very well when someone does a vocational degree such as law or medicine but for those who don't yet know what final direction they're going, they want to pick academic subjects that prepare you for a more general range of jobs, it ticks a few boxes.

I'm not connected to this uni or course in any way, but if I was applying for a degree course now, I think I'd be quite tempted! Anybody seen anything else like it, or better?

tomterm8

zagubov wrote: »

Anybody seen anything else like it, or better?

I always thought the open university BA / BSc was a good idea. You could choose almost any variety of university courses you want, so your degree could include basically any subject that was useful to you.

zagubov

tomterm8 wrote: »

I always thought the open university BA / BSc was a good idea. You could choose almost any variety of university courses you want, so your degree could include basically any subject that was useful to you.

I've never met anyone with a bad word to say about the OU. I better come clean here and say I used to work for them before the kids came along. Their model of spreading a degree over up to eight years while working etc. is really good.

The degree I posted about was a three-year full-time one, although there's a four-year version including a year abroad. With today's job market that may have advantages over a studying part-time path for some people.

I never really understood when the government wanted to expand the number of graduates, why they ddn't leave the Polytechnics as they were, and expand the OU instead.

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

Whilst I sympathise with your concerns, it's possibly good news for the local bird population. Also, twice as much food for Gambia. Every cloud, etc.

''My'' ferals eat mainly pigeons from what I can see of remains, so not really...they still have to be ''controlled'' in numbers its just more work for me or dh to do!

silvercar

zagubov wrote: »

I don't know if any other NPs have kids old enough to be looking at higher education, but it feels like choices of degree courses seem to be smartening up nowadays. DD came back from a university open day this week and passed on info of a new broader type of degree that I'd never heard of before.

It's an Arts and Science degree (BASc) - You get your arts subjects, your science subjects, a foreign language and an internship - http://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/. It's all very well when someone does a vocational degree such as law or medicine but for those who don't yet know what final direction they're going, they want to pick academic subjects that prepare you for a more general range of jobs, it ticks a few boxes.

I'm not connected to this uni or course in any way, but if I was applying for a degree course now, I think I'd be quite tempted! Anybody seen anything else like it, or better?

We are there right now. Fourth re-write of personal statement, third choice of degree course, UCAS on the home page.

Eldest did a combined honours degree - 2 subjects studied 50/50. Although it was a serious degree with 2 related serious subjects he feels you lose out because you haven't got the qualification in one subject, so if he had wanted to go for a career in either speciality he would have been up against people with an entire degree in the subject.

The course you quote requires AAA at A level.

tomterm8

I think the reality is, most people I know ended up working in a field different than their degree. There are a few careers where what you studied matters but often -in fact, for almost everyone - it does not. So, personally, I'd generally advise people to do a course in a subject they really like rather than one that is 'vocational'.

michaels

But of course that is the equivalent of 2Cs in our day

silvercar wrote: »

The course you quote requires AAA at A level.

zagubov

tomterm8 wrote: »

I think the reality is, most people I know ended up working in a field different than their degree. There are a few careers where what you studied matters but often -in fact, for almost everyone - it does not. So, personally, I'd generally advise people to do a course in a subject they really like rather than one that is 'vocational'.

I think that's where this kind of broad degree comes into its own- it's not steering necessarily in a particular direction so it gives you a chance to get a good general education at degree level.

Not sure a joint honours degree is such a bad move. People who're overspecialised are ten a penny, and I thnk the current job market may suit people with more general quals.:p

I'm saying as if I've got evidence for it, although it just feels it ought to be right. DD's chosen her degree topic anyway and it's not this one. But there's plenty her age don't know which way their future lies, and its good to see some degrees which can keep multiple doors open for them. :A

zagubov

michaels wrote: »

But of course that is the equivalent of 2Cs in our day

Wasn't there a journalist a couple of years ago who studied and passed an A level in couple of weeks to show how easy it had become?

lemonjelly

My LA puts on a spectacular firework show. I've been the past 3 years - first year amazed me how good it actually was!

Last night there were more there than I've ever seen - significantly more. Great night. Half hour firework display!:)
I'm a happy bunny after sitting amongst the most fickle people in the world - football fans!