Do you think that doing a degree, should be for the aim of working in that related area? Or could just be for the fun an enjoyment of it ?

[Lardlizard]

Say like dancing or wildlife conservation or something arty

[Backwoodsgirl]

You should be free to do as you wish. Degrees are expensive, if you have the money and time to study something that you won't use great.

[Gomyownway]

Degrees were never invented as a tool for progression. They were about gaining knowledge and learning. I think it’s a shame that we have moved so far away from that in today’s world.

[outpinked]

Degrees are expensive now so I would personally only encourage people to do something that will lead to a career they’d enjoy. Years ago when they were free or fairly cheap I would have advised most people to go to uni purely for the experience but it’s too hefty a debt now.

[hazell42]

I'm doing a masters degree 'for fun'. And I already have my sights set on a PhD when I finish the MA in a couple of months. Also for fun.
Also, some people have fun in their jobs. Would you allow that?

[User10fuckingmillion]

It’s not really a debt though is it? It’s a tax. Calling it a debt puts people who would benefit from a degree or just the experience of university off.

[SignOnTheWindow]

I think you go down a dangerously narrow road when you start insisting that education has to be 'relevant' to your job.

[Loopytiles]

Depends on your personal situation, priorities and aspirations!

[TrendyNorthLondonTeen]

And why can't these things lead to jobs?

[MoniqueTonique]

What outpinked said. And whether its a tax or a debt makes no difference when you are starting your career owing thousands.

[Gingerkittykat]

DD's friend has just finished an acting degree, and is now working 0 hours at minimum wage in a cinema. The chances of her getting any paid work that will see her able to support herself are almost zero (she had a day as an extra on a BBC programme as her only paid work)

She loved every moment of the degree, it's benefited her in so many ways. You've got a working life of 50 years+ so why not dream while you are young and have some fun.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

@lardlizard - it is very sad indeed that you can’t see the value in studying art or dancing or wildlife conservation. The first two help make the world a more beautiful,place and enrich the human spirit, and the third is vital for the preservation of our planet.

It would also be very sad if young people were driven, by the cost of university degrees, to choosing only degrees that lead straight to a career.

[UbbesPonytail]

There’s so many good degree subjects that can relate to many fields, whilst still being pertinent to your interests.

My BA is in literature, MA is creative writing.

I am a writer, never really expected to be anything else (did have a brief period at 10 when I was adamant I was going to be a vet until I realised I hated touching animals).

And my BA undoubtedly gave me a solid foundation but could have been equally good for a number of fields.

Personally, I think if you’re really drawn to a subject and definitely want to study, then that’s what you should go for. There’s (nearly) always a way to swing any academic qualification to your advantage in the job world.

[Cwenthryth]

whether its a tax or a debt makes no difference when you are starting your career owing thousands.
That’s just not true though - I’m 12 years graduated (specific degree essential for entry to my profession) and still paying off student loan, but at % over certain amount of income - in effect a tax until it’s paid off - it doesn’t affect my credit score in any way, and raises with inflation rather than actual interest, so it is very different to if it was a standard debt rather than a student loan. I graduated ‘in massive debt’ but it’s never felt like that.

Anyway to answer the OP, I’d say both :-) but consider the cost/benefit of it, same as anything.

[GeorgeTheBleeder]

Surely the point of an undergraduate degree is to broaden your horizons and equip you with critical thinking skills that you will be able to call on for the rest of your life? All in a context, ideally, of social adventure and learning amongst a diverse section of like-(ish) minded people.

Exactly what you study is secondary. Everyone has different motivations, the important thing is freedom to choose. What each individual gains from their time at university becomes a benefit to society. Medics and artists might both study anatomy - I want doctors to be trained, but I also want people who'll view the world, and act in it, through the prism of artistic thought.

[ColeHawlins]

Education has its own, intrinsic, value.

Besides, plenty of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline.

[bookmum08]

Sorry but it is far to much a cost to be 'just for fun'. Going to uni for fun is only for the idle rich.

[MargoLovebutter]

Given that you will be paying for it, I think it should be for whatever you want!

[Lardlizard]

Who said I can’t see the value in it

I personally think it’s a shame kids are steered towards what pays the most

[bridgetreilly]

Well, I don't think it should be for either of those things, tbh. I think it should be because you want to learn. If you want a career, get a job. If you want to have fun, get a job, earn money and spend that having fun. If you want to study and learn and care about your subject, then do a degree. Most people do not need a degree.

[AornisHades]

When I graduated there were jobs that asked for a 2.1 degree rather than a degree in a particular subject. It was seen to demonstrate an ability to learn and think.
The job market may be significantly different now for graduates.

[AllesAusLiebe]

bookmum08. Ironic username, by the way.

I see you’ve fallen into the trap head first. An educated population is a dangerous population. Pushing the ‘employability’ agenda is the biggest travesty to happen to education in this country since the reintroduction of tuition fees.

[BoomBoomsCousin]

I think you are likely to get far more, intellectually, out of a degree you enjoy and want to study for its own sake. But unless you're well off I think you need to be pragmatic about what you spend your money and opportunity on.

Some degrees don't offer a good return on investment - average salaries are lower than for those leaving school with A levels or equivalent. I think it would be a bit foolish to pursue one of these unless you were already set in a good career or were well off enough that you didn't really need to consider your future income.

[stepup123]

I'm doing a degree for fun OP, I say go for it. It's in an area I find fascinating- psychology. I plan to do my masters too.

[bookmum08]

Alles why is my name ironic? I like books. I collect books. I chat to people about books. I get involved with book swaps and sales. I read books to children. I seek out authors I don't know. I seek out old out of print books by authors I do know. I read information about authors I like. Sometimes I may read non fiction related to the story of the books I have just read to learn more.
However if I was 18 years old now I would find it very hard to justify getting an almost £30 000 debt to do all that for the 'fun' of the fact I like books.

[corythatwas]

There is such a thing as transferable skills. Not all students who do a history or English literature degree end up working as historians or students of literature. But they nearly all come out of it writing a lot better than they did before, doing much better oral presentations, and being much better at reading large quantities of material and finding and analysing the central argument. There are all sorts of jobs where that really helps.