to wonder if someone with a 2.2 in economics is capable of running a country?

[sarahighseas]

I'm looking at you salmond.

Is his 2.2 even from what was a good uni back then?

not a fan of Salmond and find yes voters incomprehensible, but I've met many total numpties with Firsts and 2:1 degrees.

He doesn't need any qualifications at all.
If Scotland votes Yes, he will have his name in the history books.
Job done.
The subsequent disaster will be "someone else's fault" .

The subsequent disaster will be Westminster's fault, no doubt.

I've got a 2:1 degree in War Studies, but I sure as hell wouldn't trust myself running a war.

A cattle raid perhaps. If only a border with distinctive cattle on the other side could somehow appear, I could probably manage to become a devastating feudal warlord, but not a full scale conqueror.

You are aware that it won't be him on his own?
HTH

John Major didn't even have A levels

I was at a "new" university reading law at the same time as a friend was at a Russell group one in the same city. She was horrified that we actually had to do our own research for essays and compile our own revision notes. 20 years ago, a 2:2 was a decent grade for law, although I'm aware I'd be looked on as thick now. I then moved to the RG uni for my Msc and got straight A's whilst my friend who came out with a 2:1 struggled with the discipline and research needed.
To get to the point, your degree classification depends upon many factors, so stop being such a snob.

I am English and believe Scotland should vote no BTW, if we have to be stuck with Cameron and his idiot mates for 1 more year, why should Scotland get to escape.

2:1 in Religiois Studies. But I'm not in the running for Pope!
Surely applying theory / work experience is more significant

And on the news yesterday, he more or less admitted he wouldn't have passed Higher maths, if it wasn't for a particular inspirational teacher. I find that more worrying than a 2:2.

I do agree he would have plenty of other people to run the economics. But so many of the arguments are about financial and economic issues, and whether he's really got the evidence to back up his claims.

It does make me even more worried for my Scottish parents, who are very scared about their pensions )

meringue precisely the point

I have a 2:2 in chemistry. Because I picked the wrong course pissed about at university

I wouldn't be a good choice to run a country but that's got nothing to do with a an unrelated qualification I got 20 years ago.

Fwiw I wouldnt even get an interview for my own organisation as a new graduate today with this grade. Norms have changed, and I also see a lot of poor applicants despite good grades. But for someone who has substantial experience, their degree grade is irrelevant

George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has a 2.1 in Modern History - does that qualify him to be in charge of the UK's finances?

Oh, not that I agree with Salmond either. But that's not down to his degree!

He has a degree in economics, beats most PMs in the rest of the world... Ireland's leader is an ex P.E. teacher, just to mention one!

Salmond graduated with a 2:2 Joint Honours MA in Economics and Medieval History. He has been Assistant Economist in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, then seven years as assistant economist at RBS, then Oil Economist (also at RBS). He also contributed regularly to oil and energy conferences. In 1983 he created a "Royal Bank/BBC oil index" that is still used.

no more or less than a 2:1 in Modern History qualifies one to run an economy...

I got a 2.2 in law and economics 25 years ago. I don't think it is worth much as a tool for leading a country but I know enough about economics to see the holes in his arguments and I wonder why he can't with his degree but that is a whole other thread.

However, I don't think qualifications count that much other than to prove you aren't a fool and you can absorb information which is the important skill. As others have said experience is the important thing, that and good advisers.

I'd be less worried if he had a 3rd in fine art. The fact he has a 2.2 in the relevant field worries me.

AChicken I've been told all pensions will be still be paid in iScotland, your parents have paid into it already so have been promised a pension in return. So please tell your parents not to worry.

I have to say I think his degree is irrelevant. He won't be running the economy on his own! Also, I have a Literature degree and worked in an investment bank, I was very good at my job despite not having a relevant degree. I don't think his results in something he studied decades ago should be used to judge the job he does now.

For a former oil economist, he doesn't fill me confidence.

Here's a quote from AS from October 2011, at a book launch (Kemp's Official History of North Sea Oil and Gas):

"Scotland’s oil has already provided more than £300 billion in tax to successive UK Governments, with revenues to the Treasury set to rise by more than third over the next five years compared to the last five."

Here's what actually happened (from HMRC Statistics of Government revenues from UK oil and gas production, June 2014):

Significant production decline and increasing costs have led to total revenues from UK oil and gas production dropping by 44% in 2012-13 and by 24% in 2013-14.

I'm not sure that he could predict his way out of a paper bag. Of course, if someone showed him the way out of the paper bag they would be "bullying and scaremongering".

I don't think we have to worry about 'wee Eck' running the country if it's Yes.

Once 2016 and Independence Day is here, with all the tartan fanfair he can muster , I don't think we will see him for dust. He will have achieved his goal, a place in history - as the man who broke the Union. He will dine out on his notoriety for life.

He can't deliver his Utopia, so will leave it to someone else to take the flack when the promises are found to be empty.

Its not unusual to work in an unrelated field to your degree. its about the skills you aquire rather than the knowledge. Gordon Brown has a phd btw. Didnt John Major have one o level?

Cameron has a first class degree in PPE from Oxford, so by your standards he should be brilliant at running a country. How's he done so far?

The question in the Referendum is -

"Do you think Scotland should be an independent country?" and not "Do you want wee Eck to be president for life?"

So Alex Salmond's exact qualifications are no more relevant than anyone else's are when we vote. This isn't about Alex Salmond. It's about Scotland as a whole. Anyone who believes they are voting 'for' or 'against' one individual or the vision he has set out are the numpties, whichever side they are on.

I went to the same university as the man under discussion. A 2:2 from there is pretty hard won and 1:1 and 2:i are/ were quite rare. I didn't get the same grade as him, so not defensive or anything. They work you hard and you can feel v. proud of your achievement. I had friends at Oxbridge (never applied, didn't suit me) who were shocked at my workload.

I can't stand academic snobbery OP, it's cheap, classless and immature. I want a Yes vote, neither Scottish or in Scotland, but I'm sure he wouldn't have got so far if the people who voted for him in number didn't think him capable.

YABU and snobbish.