"A prestigious university'- how important?

[Orangesandlemons77]

I just wondered what your views are on this. Inspired by another thread.

There are two universities close by and it would save money for DS to live here. Especially with the cost of living / rent going up etc. I know they can get loans but it still would save money.

One of the universities required very high grades - three A*s for example for most courses. The other one was a former college of higher education and only requires three Cs for most courses.

DS is probably a B student. Quite a homebody and seems keen to stay close to home, we live in a city and would be on a bus route to university.

So, what do you think about how important it is to go to the 'right' university?

I read these days, some employers are not allowed to screen out candidates for e.g. grad schemes due to their place of study.

How much would this influence you with your DC and choice of university? Thanks

I did a year of psych bsc. Just a heads up - there is a huge amount of statistics and research methodology to study. Definitely maths heavy. It's why I left.

DD has a degree in Psychology, 2:1, as well as an MSc. Two years on and she's still struggling to get a job in the field she wants. Ultimately she's going to need more post grad quals and a bit of a re-think. Oh, and a 60k student loan round her neck.

I know it wasn't exactly what you're asking, but defo pay attention to the figures where they look at post grad employment.

Good luck!

Honestly I would say going to the right university, is the most important thing. I actually don’t think it’s worth going if you aren’t going to either a good one ie top 10 or 15, or one that is renowned for whatever you are studying. I don’t think the cost now justifies a degree from a rubbish institution.. I think if you really want a good high paying career in a role or network that requires a degree, you need go to a fairly decent uni. IMHO the uni speaks far more and does far more for you than the actual course. Xo

I was recently a brand ambassador for a large financial company. I offered to go further afield than my uni to another local one. Was told by the brand manager no as they weren't able to check with said company that they'd be happy accepting someone from there...

DD was good at Maths. (GCSE A) and got distinctions in all the statistics modules, but a lot of her friends hated it.

Make sure the course is accredited with the BPS.

Look at both universities. Look at the course content. Daughter went to ex poly but could gone to red brick. But enjoyed the course as it was more practical related to what goes on in her field of work. Also look at who employed/completes the course . Have a job in the related field. Son went to a lower uni loved the course and thrived, it’s a combination of uni/course,
Depends on what they want out of uni other daughter enjoyed the social side of uni experience rather than the academic side. But she graduated and enjoyed the experience. They all take different things from going to uni.

I'm not in the UK, although did interview there so not sure where advice it helpful but this is what I did so sharing in case it's helpful.

I did my primary degree is a non prestigious college. (Cheap and local)

Then did my masters in a prestigious university (Expensive & not local).

Is that something that he could consider. If he gets a 1.1 in his undergraduate and the jobs he wants he may not even need to both with post grad.

With a subject like psychology, the most important thing of all is experience. I know experience is important for all gradates, but especially psychology since a lot of related jobs are in clinical settings which really require a lot of hands on understanding. As others have said, the must haves are a BPS accredited degree and at least a 2.1. Prestige is good, but in a competitive field like psychology, experience is what will really go in your favour since plenty of people will have graduated with a 2.1 from a good university.

If they are taking psychology with any though of pursuing further study as a psychologist (especially clinical psychologist) then we need a well-regarded uni. It is a tricky area to get roles in.

I should also add in I took that from a clinical stand point. It also of course depends on the area of Psychology he wishes to peruse.

Like PPs have said, it will depend on the university and course, modules available. It can be useful to look at the graduate destinations for the university - how many go on to higher degrees, how many continue in the field (either in education or work), how many go on to graduate roles in different fields, how many end up in non-graduate roles? You might be able to find the information online or you might have to ask the university.

You could also ask about super-curricular opportunities, which can be important in competitive fields like psychology. One of my DC has had amazing opportunities - plenty of paid research work available at the university during vacations, the chance to work on coursework projects and a dissertation that have led to giving presentations at conferences/being published/credited etc

As a former recruiter we would look for people who'd done really well where they were. So a strong degree result which may be easier for him at less competitive university would be better than scraping by in a more competitive environment. It was also important if candidates had work experience and evidence of leadership skills. If he can get a job while a uni (part-time or during the summers) or take a sandwich course with a year in industry I would definitely encourage it. Anything he enjoys: sports, student politics, service work, DJIng etc. whatever shows confidence, intiative and organizational/people skills all look really good. If someone had a good degree and had done absolutely nothing else while at uni compared to a candidate from a less prestigious uni who had been very involved with lots of activities while still doing well academically we would usually chose the 2nd candidate, if the rest (personality etc) were similar.

@sjxoxo

Honestly I would say going to the right university, is the most important thing. I actually don’t think it’s worth going if you aren’t going to either a good one ie top 10 or 15, or one that is renowned for whatever you are studying. I don’t think the cost now justifies a degree from a rubbish institution.. I think if you really want a good high paying career in a role or network that requires a degree, you need go to a fairly decent uni. IMHO the uni speaks far more and does far more for you than the actual course. Xo

There are lots of universities outside the top 10 or 15 in The Times league table that are excellent, and nobody would call them 'rubbish institutions'. Are you really suggesting that a degree from Exeter, Manchester, Birmingham or York, for example, are not worth having?

Honestly I would say going to the right university, is the most important thing. I actually don’t think it’s worth going if you aren’t going to either a good one ie top 10 or 15, or one that is renowned for whatever you are studying. I don’t think the cost now justifies a degree from a rubbish institution.. I think if you really want a good high paying career in a role or network that requires a degree, you need go to a fairly decent uni. IMHO the uni speaks far more and does far more for you than the actual course. Xo

For the most part I agree with this. There are definitely lower ranked universities where specific, often vocational courses, are very highly ranked and are a good option. However, for something more generic and especially for the more traditional academic route then I think that the university matters. I think that the calibre of their peers also makes a difference. I've got one doing a traditional subject at a RG uni which asks for AAA and he's academically challenged and really thriving on that in a way that I don't think that he would get if he was at a BBC / BCC uni. Equally he's getting exposure to seriously influential people in the field he would like to go into as they come and visit or are honorary lecturers etc. I'm not saying that there aren't pockets of this in other universities but I do think going for the best university for your course is not to be sniffed at and I just don't see how it can ever be a disadvantage to aim for somewhere more prestigious if you can.

Oh and I def don't think that non RG uni's are not good. I do think that traditional universities are still probably better for the traditional academic route, RG or not.

As others have said it depends on the career aspirations and the course. If the career is something where you need the specific qualification then I think it makes less difference where it’s from but if it just needs a degree then I think the university matters more.

Often (and I don’t know about the civil service specifically) blind recruitment processes are a bit misleading. It often means that candidates are selected for interview without considering the university but that it can be a factor later. So while a less good university won’t get your cv chucked out it can be a disadvantage when considering two candidates that performed similarly at interview - in many (though not all) cases it should be, anyone saying a 2.1 in a non vocational course is the same whether it’s from Anglia Ruskin or Cambridge is just plain wrong.

It depends on the course I think. No one really gives a monkeys which Uni you study nursing or paramedics in because the NMC dictate the curriculum in essence so it's pretty standardised. If you want to study Egyptology or Pure maths then it probably does.

I would consider the views of those with more recent experience than mine. Though agreeing with the value of extra curricular activities and work experience.

Middling important. If it's a better one great if it's not as good you'll still get the job with the right taxes and experience and a good interview.

Grades* not taxes.

So a first at a middle uni is still great with the right combo of other things. Of course the top 10 will always look better but everything else is fine with the right exp.

@Joelypoley

With a subject like psychology, the most important thing of all is experience. I know experience is important for all gradates, but especially psychology since a lot of related jobs are in clinical settings which really require a lot of hands on understanding. As others have said, the must haves are a BPS accredited degree and at least a 2.1. Prestige is good, but in a competitive field like psychology, experience is what will really go in your favour since plenty of people will have graduated with a 2.1 from a good university.

Yes both unis / courses are accredited by BPS. Thanks.

Because the course will be accredited, I don't think the uni will matter as much as it might with some other courses. The BPS will dictate much of the course requirements.

I work with 6th form students to help them think about their university applications. I would offer some caution with a psychology degree - they are very popular and very hard to go on and remain in the area. Downside of being popular is very big lectures and tutorials.

I have also heard from students that there can be very low contact hours (always worth checking).

Has he thought much about what subject he wants to study and why (beyond it seems alright at A level so far)? There are so many options that he should take the time and explore subject choice a bit.

I suppose you need maths for those and he's not brilliant at maths

At degree level there is quite a lot of maths/ statistics involved in psychology. There is also a fair amount of Biology. Those are the areas no one suspects will be in the degree. He needs to be happy to revisit that material.