To say that university degrees are barely impressive anymore?

I sort of agreee.
But I think from those that don’t have a degree it’s only trades or posh kids that are getting the better paid work.

I have a degree. I graduated in 2006 and already things were at a point where a degree was needed for the most basic admin job. I needed one for the job I got after graduation, as a receptionist. So, a total nonsense really.

But now? Degrees are an expensive commodity, bought by students who are paying so much, they demand a pass. They're totally worthless, unless you want to be an engineer, doctor, teacher etc.

I hire for support roles in the professional services sector and it would never occur to me to look at a person's academic qualifications. Experience and attitude is everything.

A friend's son is studying art history and on track for a 2:2. He's not even working part time on top. So he'll come out with a pointless degree and no work history, a tonne of debt, and will 100% guaranteed be unable to find a job.

I think how you apply yourself is as important as where and what to. I have worked with people who have 2:1s from Oxford, LSE, Nottingham etc and their standard of writing and thinking is appalling. Presumably they did it well at university but in the workplace, while they are bright, their written work is underwhelming. Conversely I’ve worked with graduates from “lower ranking” universities who’ve been very impressive, albeit far less self-confident. I’d still strongly encourage my own kids to go for the most appealing course in the best uni they can, but as a recruiter I don’t blindly assume “better” is in fact better.

It's difficult as I think they are very expensive and often not worth it in that sense but many companies still use them as a CV sifting tool.

Okay so A level equivalent then. Scottish students do Highers, lots of students do IB. It’s still a post-secondary qualification.

Nope. My DS did the btec Instead of A levels then uni still at 18 ( same as rest of year group who did A levels). He's still in uni so fairly recent

Presumably you would have done an access course. They are pretty hard and often prepare you better than A levels.

What about those who did degrees but not A levels

I think the prestige of the institution is usually the most important thing, and these degrees are still valued accordingly. Not a popular thing to say, but true

This ^^

There's a Uni ranking list for a reason and some pickier employers treat a degree from those near the bottom as no degree at all, so loading yourself with debt to attend one of them seems a bit pointless

I did for 30 years

Also agree that in "my day" (I graduated mid-90s) a First was exceptional. I think on the day I graduated out of the whole cohort of 300 odd, there were 2 firsts. 30% getting a first is ridiculous. But then again, grade inflation is a thing in school exams too.

Most degrees aren’t “impressive” and haven’t been for 25 years. Like A-levels aren’t “impressive”.

Certain subjects have more cachet, some universities are more prestigious. Many jobs expect a degree as a basic requirement. But few people are actually impressed by a Bachelor degree because so many people hold them.

Seeing as most universities don’t understand basic biology I would say their degrees aren’t worth anything.

I think you're wrong. Degrees are more common, many young people are educated to a higher level than previously. But they're worthwhile and show someone has achieved degree-level education. That is valuable.

There have always been different degrees at different universities with different entry requirements - and that's fine. Obtaining a degree shows you have the skills and abilities to obtain a degree.

Other nations aspire to 50% of young adults with degree-level qualifications for a reason.

Yes but there are degrees and there are degrees.

You might be impressed by a 2:1 in English from Oxford, Durham or Exeter. Or a degree in biomedical science from Lancaster, Sheffield or Strathclyde.

But not impressed by a 2:1 in Biomedical science from London South Bank University or a 2:1 in English from Wrexham or Bedfordshire.

It didn’t say only in primary school, it said particularly in primary school.
Okay I will rephrase - I’d love to see someone teaching at A level or GCSE without a degree. I think the same about primary actually even if some TA thinks they do all the teaching and it’s a piece of piss. Just like when a doctors secretary reckons they’d be able to do that job with their eyes closed or where John from the pub reckons he knows more about the law than a judge.

I imagine those aren’t widely offered at primary school level

I have a degree and work in education, and I agree most degrees are nonsense.

I work with complete numpties who have degrees. I also work with people without degrees who are amazingly intelligent.

Yeah I’m sure they’d be a whizz at A Level chemistry or French 🙄

There’s degrees and there’s degrees. Try being a doctor, engineer, architect or maths teacher without a degree. On the other hand if a photographer doesn’t have a degree in photography who really cares.

I’m hearing more and more people saying degrees are now pointless. But, as a poster said above, they’re still an entry requirement for the majority of well paid & secure jobs…. So I’m not understanding why this opinion has become so popular? I would imagine people who do degrees are interested in their subject and want to work a professional job in that field.

I've always said, I wouldn't want a degree if I'm unsure of what I want to do due to the debt and I've been told 'it's not proper debt and you don't have to pay it back'

I don't have a degree but I think they are good for health professionals, teachers, dentists etc and so on .. there's a handful that seem worthless

Having a degree used to sort the wheat from the chaff. Now everyone and his uncle has one. Thank you Blair.

Then the kids are taking Masters degrees as well. What a waste of money.

I’m an employer and the universities are absolutely milking it, causing kids to think if they don’t have a Masters, they’re losing out in the employability stakes. Which is rubbish. It’s to get more money for the university.

There’s a place for a degree, a place for vocational, a place for an apprenticeship. We should be rolling it all back to get somewhere like we used to be in the 80s, just before I did my degree. It was free then though.

This is why it matters which university you go to and what subject you study. A good degree in an academic subject from a respected institution still counts for a lot. I do agree, though, that some degrees won't really get you any further than if you didn't have them.