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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Higher education

Dd wobbling about her degree choice

85 replies

moralberyll · 14/08/2017 22:15

Dd has chosen to study for a degree in criminology and social policy at a good Russel group university, her plan was to do the degree and then do something such as a law conversion, social work masters or a pgce as she can't decide on a specific career path at the moment. However, she is considering trying to find an alternative course in clearing as lots of people have scared her by saying she will not find a job with that degree and she needs to do something 'proper'. She has researched the course and the modules and she really likes the look of it. Is she really doomed in the employment market if she studies this course?

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wobblywonderwoman · 14/08/2017 22:19

She should do the course she loves. Clearing least minute would be a rush decision. A strong degree from a Russell Group will set her up well.

moralberyll · 14/08/2017 22:24

She has been volunteering at a homeless hostel and at a school for excluded children and really enjoys it, I think that the course is perfect for her but she is scared now that she is wasting her time .

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Neolara · 14/08/2017 22:27

If she wants to do secondary teaching, then I think she needs to have a degree in a subject she can teach in school. Not sure about primary.

Enidblyton1 · 14/08/2017 22:29

Well she could do a law conversion, pgce or social work after that degree, so lots of options open to her. I wouldn't worry - a 2.1 from a Russell Group university is what she needs to end up with to ensure an easy ride to the next step.

How about asking the university if they have any information about what students with her degree do after graduating? This may put your DDs mind at rest.

LIZS · 14/08/2017 22:31

Some view Criminology as the new Media Studies. Maybe a straight degree in Law or similar would work better if her focus is employability. What A levels has she taken? She could look at clearing now but chances are she may not find a Russell Group offering anything comparable yet.

moralberyll · 14/08/2017 22:32

I have tried researching the prospects myself online but I can't find much information for this specific course, all I can find is that criminology has very low employment rates!

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moralberyll · 14/08/2017 22:35

A levels in English language, Business studies and Geography. She thinks she wants to look for law on clearing but I'm not sure of her chances of finding something. She applied for law at a non Russel group and received an offer but turned it down in favour of the Russel group offer which I thought was a sensible thing to do at the time.

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Frazzled2207 · 14/08/2017 22:39

If it helps, switching courses a few weeks into term is quite common. She won't get on a good course in a good uni through clearing. Discourage!

Helbelle75 · 14/08/2017 22:42

She should do what she'll enjoy. I have a degree in French and Criminology and found it very interesting. I did then do a pgce and became a French teacher for a while, then set up my own business. If I'm honest I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up (I'm 42!) but the whole university experience was invaluable.

userofthiswebsite · 14/08/2017 22:46

Clearing is best avoided if at all possible. Kids get into a frenzy about, oh I just need to get something, and with all the drama of all the phone lines being jammed solid, people can make panicky decisions. I'd suggest she goes ahead as planned assuming Thurs brings the right results.

Tensecondrule · 14/08/2017 22:48

If she still thinks she will love the course then she should stick with it, she's getting some great work experience and that will help a lot when it comes to getting a job, plus she has the option to do further study. If she was having second thoughts about the course it may be better to withdraw this year and take a year out rather than rush into something through clearing.

bevelino · 14/08/2017 23:10

There are lots of courses available in clearing including Law at some Russell Group universities.

AndTodayIAm · 15/08/2017 00:09

If it helps, switching courses a few weeks into term is quite common. She won't get on a good course in a good uni through clearing. Discourage!

I completely disagree with this statement. It's simply not true. There are good courses at good universities in clearing. You do have to make sure it's the right course for you though and not just rush into accepting any old course.

AndTodayIAm · 15/08/2017 00:11

Sorry, just to be clear. I don't disagree with the fact that students often change courses in the first few months at Uni. It was the bit about no good courses at good Unis in clearing that I disagreed with

Frazzled2207 · 15/08/2017 07:12

Fair enough, that was the advice given to me some years ago but admit things might have changed.

user7214743615 · 15/08/2017 08:00

Many (or even most, by number) Russell Group courses are likely to be in Clearing this year, due to the dips in UK and EU students applying.

Of course the very top universities/top universities for given subjects won't be in Clearing and neither will there be much available in over-subscribed subjects. However it's very likely that even the original course itself (criminology and social policy at an RG) will be and that many other good courses would be.

Still not a good idea to rush into a decision in Clearing, though.

SummerflowerXx · 15/08/2017 08:09

The university will have information about employment prospects and what recent graduates are doing.

Icouldbeknitting · 15/08/2017 08:49

Who are the "lots of people" saying she should do something "proper"? If it's Auntie Susan or the woman from next door are they really in a position to be giving advice? Your daughter has put effort into researching this which is more than random well wishers will have done. The statistics will be out there for the percentage of graduates in employment after X months - if she's not looked at that then it would be a starting point to see if these helpful people know what they are talking about.

Dunlurking · 15/08/2017 09:01

This is a good picture of the clearing situation this year -
www.theguardian.com/education/2017/aug/14/nervous-universities-await-clearing-as-student-applications-fall

Dunlurking · 15/08/2017 09:15

DT clearing search for Law places clearing.telegraph.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?Course=253

user1471531877 · 15/08/2017 09:19

My son does a similar degree - he loves the course and has has work experience at a top London firm - unless she wants a specific finance job the course is easily competitive for many graduate degrees. He has also been given experience with a NGO organisation as part of his course. Most graduate schemes do not specify which degree subject they require so I don't think law will give her any advantage in many jobs and it can be very dry.
She needs to enjoy her degree and get a good result. I think if she is not sure she would be better taking a year off to think and can strengthen her cv in this time.

moralberyll · 15/08/2017 09:28

Thanks user 147, that is very helpful. She loves the course she is just panicking that it is going to make her unemployable. My Older dd did a vocational course so she is trying to persuade her that a vocational course is better but I don't think it is right for her as she is not 100% sure on what job she wants to do yet.

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WilliowGreen · 15/08/2017 09:30

If she has chosen a course she loves and is exciting about doing, has sensible plans for the future and good work experience she will get a job. I did a hint honours social policy course at a Russel group uni some people became lawyers some social workers some teachers so she has worked things out well.

Who are the people telling her to change her course?
It is better to have a Russle group degree in a non law subject than a non Russel group degree in law for law jobs.
If she went to the university I think it is ( not many RG units do that course combination) all the big law firms came to the careers events keen to recruit.
If she thinks she won't like her course that is a different thing and it is not too late to change but she needs to do it for the right reasons not because someone ( who probably doesn't know anything) is telling her to.

HopeAndJoy16 · 15/08/2017 09:31

I think that degree sounds like a good solid choice with plenty of career options. She could also consider working for the civil service/probation service with it. I think as long as your daughter thinks it will be interesting, and it builds on her strengths then don't over think it. Even of it's not that interesting it's only 3 years (I bored of my course quickly but so glad i stuck it out).

TwitterQueen1 · 15/08/2017 09:32

Law is incredibly competitive...

She should do what she wants - there is absolutely no point in doing something she feels she ought to - she won't enjoy her time at all.

And as PP have said, she could change her degree course within the first few weeks if she really wants to. She will have time to settle in, feel comfortable, understand the courses more.

My brother studied history and went into banking. I did teaching and never taught... She will have lots of options.

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