AIBU?
to ask if DC shouldn't bother with university if they can't get into a Russell Group one?
TuTuTilly · 14/06/2013 18:31
I'd never heard of the ruddy things before I joined MN. Didn't even realise I'd been to one. I do recall when I had a tedious summer job in Human Resources which included "sifting" job applications for an international firm of accountants, being told to dump any that weren't from a handful of universities.
So my question is; if your child can't get into an RG university - should they accept that they will be unemployable oiks upon graduation and resign themselves to a life working in call centres?
LoSiento · 14/06/2013 18:37
No that's clearly a silly question. I graduated from a former poly in 2005 and am doing well in a professional and decently paid job. Its more a question of if your DC have the aptitude for a university education and a clear career path. With the ludicrous fees now university in mainland Europe is definitely worth a look.
RubyOnRails · 14/06/2013 18:41
Horseshit. Sorry, that attitude really annoys me. I went to an ex poly and was pulling in 85k by the time I was thirty. And it's a decent career too.
My sister dropped out of a RG uni and could only get work as a secretary for years be use she had no degree.
OutragedFromLeeds · 14/06/2013 18:46
I didn't know what RG universities were until I read it on Mumsnet and I also went to one 
.
There probably are some jobs/professions where it really matters what university you went to, but I think they're probably in the minority.
I think it also depends on what you want from university. I got far more in the way of confidence, life skills, friends, a bloody good time etc. than I did in the way of formal education (although I got a good degree, which is useful, but not essential to my job).
Awakeagain · 14/06/2013 18:47
I think the universities on that list are not surprising! My friend did a science based degree and got a job in finance (no relation to degree) probably because she went to one if those unis
I think where is best for course and what you actually think you might do after uni is best, if it had a vocational aspect in the field you want to work in or more staff actively researching the area or the best teaching surely that's better than going to a less appealing course just because its on 'the list'
Gosh that sounds a bit ranty! I shall get down off my high horse now
StatisticallyChallenged · 14/06/2013 18:48
Hmm..I work for a big 4 accounting firm (although I'm not in accounting) and almost everyone in my team is Russell Group - the only exceptions went to another local uni and did a degree in actuarial studies. I'm pretty sure the same is true for our (much larger) London office too. I would say there are some exceptions - I know we look at St Andrews too for example - but I think you do need to be picky and consider what you want to do afterwards.
BathTangle · 14/06/2013 18:49
I went to St Andrews - not a RG university, but the oldest one in Scotland and very highly respected - don't think any employer thought, "oh, not RG, won't look at her".
I then did an MSc at Reading, again not RG: I chose it rather than other RG options because at the time it was the best-regarded uni for the subject (directly related to the career I went into).
I get what you are saying, but RG is NOT everything.
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