To be disappointed that my ds has decided not to go to uni.

I think I've been way over the top here. She needs not need to go to uni. But she should have made a good attempt at GCSEs. Maths, english and a few sciences would be enough. Just getting out with 1 pass isn't a great sign. However life is long, she needs to have a bit of a reset and think about her next steps. And she needs to work hard at that

Whereas many of us (myself included) would go absolutely demented sitting 8 hrs a day at a desk talking shop. I'd rather be out on the move doing stuff as a career path. Glad we are all different...

Sure but PM? We know Count Binface ran for MP

And.with not disrespect there might be skills beyond plumbing for PM?

This is just an example that maybe not every path is for everyone?

Reading this thread I would rather be a plumber! Flexibility in hours

Look it all depends what you study, where it is and what your plan is after. There probably is very little value add going to Liverpool hope, Hull and studying a Mickey mouse degree.

But a stem degree in physics from Imperial probably opens numerous doors into exciting careers.

A plumber has become an MP so it’s not impossible.

I am wondering what people think for degrees for teacher training- usually for secondary you would.need a degree in the subject?

This is just in response to the idea that Uni degrees are useless

And to all of you who said..oh later in life it was okay...who do you think are doing and teaching these programmes ? It's fine to think "it's always there' but not unless we support it!!

Absolutely agree. I wanted to comment on this thread last night when it was posted but annoyingly lost internet connection.

I went to Uni before the tuition fees became a thing, when I returned for a post-grad, the subject was free due to a shortage of that profession. Despite having a degree and a post-grad, I was paid a pittance when I first left Uni. It took years before I managed to get a decent income.

If I'd have had to pay tens of thousands to go, it absolutely would not have been worth it at all.

My mum really pushed all of us (me & siblings) to get degrees, she's of that mind that it's the be all and end all. And whilst I agree that some careers really do need degrees, the majority really don't. Universities are just money making businesses and have been for about 20yrs now.

I really hope my children don't want to go to Uni, I don't think they will.

For OP's son, he'd be much better going to a local college and doing a BTEC in Business Management, it might not be free anymore due to his age, depending when he turns 20, but if his grandparents are paying the tuition fees, then that's absolutely the best route.

So many people were commenting on this thread saying that it's free & he should go, but it wasn't free, his grandparents were only going to pay the tuition fees, what about the accommodation fees and everything else?! It's not cheap!

I think OP is being unreasonable to feel like this over a business management degree - I could understand her upset if he was giving up his place on a medical degree - but business? No, a degree isn't necessary. Business is one of those things that you're better learning it on the job, obviously some people are much better at it than others, a college course would give him a good start with the background knowledge but even that isn't entirely necessary.

OP sorry to de rail- as you were, everyone!

Go for it!

I guess I am just saying there are different paths. And it is unlikely a plumber will become PM. But who is to say who is happier?

I love Rishi

Okay I am not here to defend Rishi, but example.
I was just saying.. maybe uni degrees still matter? Andy went to Cambridge. I am not saying this is right or wrong, just for discussion.

Argh.. editing all my typos!

Rishi Sunak as well..multi millionaire and even billionaire

My eldest son did then and took off with a friend to Cornwall. He is now a qualified Chef, has a lovely girlfriend and surfs every day.

Would he consider open university?

That's also a fair point.

Yes let's embrace different ways? There are very anti-uni posts here too!

I think it is just not one size fits all

For me, the UK issue is we pressure young people to decide so soon in their lives

Well said - this is basically what I have been saying 👏

Being educated comes in so many different forms. University is only one way. There are many others.

It depends on your life goals- the narrative here is that Uni is a waste of money.
There are examples where people did go to uni and did well- e.g. Andy Burnham. But many other more regular examples
I think the message here is not every path is correct for every young person

How is that relevant? Thankfully there are people in the world who are happy to fit boilers and bathrooms and fix toilets - and make a lot of money doing it. They’ll still be in work long after AI has made corporate office jobs obsolete.

@Starzinsky The experience of living and studying in a new place and meeting lots of other people your own age can be life-changing though. My DD (21) is a completely different person to her 18-year-old self, she's met so many different people and is involved in clubs and activities at her university.

But, she's doing a career-specific STEM degree so there's a plan in place.

That's really the issue here. One of my friends also has a 21-year-old who's been working in a pub since 18. She's still working in the same pub and doesn't seem to have any plans. Obviously, it's good that she's working, but her parents are wondering what she'll do next. She doesn't seem to be aiming for anything, just drifting along.

I know my DS is much enjoying his corporate office job. He finds it intellectually stimulating and loves his colleagues. He's happy to not to be fixing people's toilets for a living.

A £60k debt to be unemployed doesn’t appear to be particularly clever.

It is saturated with everyone, not just graduates

Yet they constantly decry the fact that nobody in the Cabinet has ever run one.

I agree with PP that education is undervalued in UK, and the university-bashing on this thread is depressing. Not everything is about having a house at 20 and retiring in your 50's!

But agree OP that maybe your son in his circumstances needs a little time to decide his life plan.