Cannot progress without a degree... 😡

[Hmmmmminteresting]

I'm early 30s. I chose not to go to uni and to instead do 2 years at a business college (qualifications do not equal a degree, they were less). I then was promoted to an office manager at the age of 22 to 25, managing 17 people. Since moved on to a job I love and have been there 7 years. In this company you cannot progress without a degree. They are 100% adamant, 2:1 or more is minimum. They dont take any of your history into account. So many people getting promoted above me with no managerial experience but have a degree in random subjects not relevant. A few have since left as they just weren't suitable for that role.
I know I could do it and I have been told by so many others that it's frustrating I'm not qualified enough as I would be first choice.
AIBU to think this is a pretty old fashioned way of thinking?
I dont want to leave the company, I just wish they would change their rules.

ok, OP, now you're sounding whiny. Several people have explained how they got their degrees working flat out and missing out on thing so this

want my cake and eat it? I really dont. I'll be almost 40 by the time I finished OU. I'd have missed out on so much with my ds… doesn't really wash. I was 50 when i got my degree. But it's been useful. I got made redundant not long after and it was a foot in the door for lots of interviews.

Think about what it is you actually want. You're still under 40 so you have time to change company and still progress.

If, as you say, you can prove that you are doing a job that is more senior than your pay grade and you are being denied the pay and title that reflect the everyday reality of your role, then you can take this up with HR. The practical problems you describe related to childcare etc disproportionately affect women, which makes his a potential (and I emphasise potential, because it would need to be looked into) sex discrimination case. It isn't straightforward to prove these things, it can be costly and it can destroy your relationship with your employer, which undermines your ability to continue working there. A bit of a catch 22. Perhaps speak to ACAS.

I am still of the view that it is usually easier to jump through the hoop than fight the system, particularly when, as you describe, you have no family support and work long hours, so time with your child is previous. Don't dismiss getting something of degree-level without looking into it. You might be surprised. You might also find that it is easier to persuade your employer to give you some sort of help with getting the qualification once you know what you are aiming for. They may not offer to fund it, but they may offer half a day of paid leave per week to study. It is worth a try.

The other thing is that with an OU degree, you don't have to commit to 'doing a whole degree' at the outset, you can just sign up for one module. Then the next. And so on.

Similarly with most masters, you'd get a postgraduate certificate or diploma for doing half the course, or the coursework without the dissertation.

So you can show willing, make a start and, if circumstances change, reassess. You'll still have the modules you've done under your belt. Check the rules but you can often pause and go back later with an OU degree.

actually, you are the one who seems to be living in the past. Many top firms now are NOT requiring degrees.

And yet eventually, to progress in many many roles, and especially if you're looking to move globally, eventually people increasingly come up to 'need a degree'.

And at any rate, this is the OP's company's policy. That's how it goes. So find another company.

I'm sure since degree requirements are so 'old-fashioned', the OP can sign up with recruitment companies and easily be headhunted by all these firms who don't require degrees and get a promotion that way.

Do you need to have a full degree, or do you need to be working on a degree?

If you just need to be working on one, and it doesn't matter what, sign up for German and possibly English literature with the OU. The German side consists of four modules, and the first two will be easy for you.

Open uni would be difficult for me -of course its something I've investigated. However work are unable to support me because everyone else would expect the same and with a young ds I genuinely dont know how I would find the time

Erm...yeah. As pps have said, it is hard to fit it all in, but that's what sets those who are determined, and motivated, apart.

I did my MSc while working a 50+ hour week in a very high pressure job, with two preschool children. It was HARD and meant lots of late night studying as I didn't want to sacrifice my weekends with them. It also meant getting into debt.
But for me, it was worth it to be able to progress my career. And I think employers value not just qualifications, but the effort people have gone to in order to achieve them.

Op you sound very defeatist. Lots of us have studied whilst working full time and raising families. It is doable but of course there are sacrifices. You have mentioned paying for it, well all those people coming in to your workplace with degrees have likely paid for it and are probably paying back a chunk of their salary in student loans- you aren't.

If you want to progress in your career then you need to show willing to progress academically. You can sign up for OU modules and do it as and when you can, even if it takes 10 years. You'll be better off in 10 years than what you are now. Maybe you 'working towards' a degree may be enough for your employers?

PatellarTendonitis truth is, it depends on what industries and sort of jobs people are in. I know in my area (financial services, investment banking, accounting, City of London based etc.) Whilst lots of recruitment is through graduate schemes, not all is and once you have passed industry exams and have proven performance track record, no one gives the arse of a single rat whether or not you have a degree. It is all about who is generating revenue and no one is backward enough to have requirements like 'a random degree'. Perhaps some industries are different.

seriously look for a degree level qualification that has a demonstrable link to a 2:1 or do something like a masters pt over two years and get them to pay for it as development and progression.

2:1 level is pretty average and not that difficult when you are older and apply a bit of work to it.

To be fair the company are a bit backward in not considering widr qualifications at level 5 I think a degree is that from memory, I would put the case to support someone in house with a development plan and then bugger off when you have it...

YANBU. However, if the company is too short sighted to value a Mickey Mouse degree over experience, then take your skills and experience to company where they will be valued. Their loss.

have a look at the 'or equivalent' part.
see if you can apply that.
you probably have done internal trainings/courses that could add to that.
plus your appraisal documentation.

This frightens me, because my Ds1 suggested NOT going to Uni the other day.
But this view is widespread across industry.
Many under grads are idiots who couldn't cook a spag bol, but still ......

I think it's a very short sighted rule, but so many things are about tick boxes these days.

I work as a contractor in a specialized role completely unrelated to my degree. I wouldn't even get through a sift for entry level positions as I don't have any relevant qualifications. Luckily non-permanent roles don't have to jump through the same hoops (and get paid 3 times as much!)

@Hmmmmminteresting what level was your college course? Did you get any HE credits from it? It might be that you wouldn't have to complete a whole degree if you already have some units squared away. Unlikely, but might be worth looking into.

@RB68, a full Bachelors Degree is level 6 study (yr1 is level 4, yr2 is level 5, yr3 is level 6).

Masters is L7.

Doctorate, L8.

In the modern workplace, the reality is that staying at one company doesn't pay. People who move jobs and companies every few years soon reach higher rank and pay than people who stick with one place.

Time to start jobhunting.

Would your qualifications count towards a degree and then you could study for the rest of one?

In the modern workplace, the reality is that staying at one company doesn't pay.

This is not the most efficient way to run a company, and I'd argue its not always ideal for workers or their families either.

Maybe not but it is true. Many companies take their staff for granted and don't develop them. They're often more impressed by outside candidates and the wider / different experience they bring.

Also, there just isn't so often an opportunity at the next level within one company. Whereas, if you're looking at lots of companies, it's more likely something suitable will come up.

This is not the most efficient way to run a company, and I'd argue its not always ideal for workers or their families either.

I disagree.

Not all companies will have the opportunities for you to grow career wise in the direction you want.
You may have worked in admin or support- want to move into project work or a supervisory role. Perhaps you want to move in a different technical diecrion that interests you

Unless you work for a huge company these opportunities are often only found if you choose to jump ship.

And why is it bad for companies? Having an employee reaching a career plateau within the company - frustrated at lack of direction into an area or role that they want to progress- what's the point in having this lifelong employee continuing to work in a job they are dissatisfied with, and only giving it 50%.

Fat better to have that employee leaving to another company leaving space for a new employee with energy and enthusiasm to bring to the role.
All my biggest "step ups" career wise have been moving on to new employers.

@Hmmmmminteresting ive transferred credit to Open Uni therefore to get an honours takes less time and money. I work FT and do 60 credits a year . It us manageable and hard work but enjoyable. Dd and I study together in evenings I will be 42 when I graduate. I dont get supported by my work. If you want it you can do it , else I suggest making sure you have full picture of training opportunities/recruitment from HR .
The next opportunity for you is to look elsewhere for somewhere that will support your progression.

It is annoying - especially as experience can be worth more in the workplace than academic qualifications are. Is it because there is a lot of writing involved in more senior roles? Saying must have a degree or 2:1 is quite vague. A degree from Oxbridge is entirely different from a degree from a polytechnic. Demanding a 2:1 is also odd. Would someone with a 2:2 from Cambridge not be accepted yet a person with a 2:1 from a lesser uni would?

Let me see if I understand this.
You can have any Mickey Mouse degree which is valued higher than experience in this particular business field. So not even a relevant degree. Stain glass window design would be acceptable?
YDNBU. Absolutely crackers.

How about speaking to your manager or if there is a development team and ask if they would support and finance your degree? They may give you study leave to attend uni or pay for an OU degree programme.
Good luck