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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that anyone can get in university nowadays?

329 replies

Darkdecent · 29/01/2020 06:47

I know a woman who's studying to be a social worker and while I don't think for one minute she's stupid I certainly wouldn't put her down as uni material.

For example, she was a strong supporter of Alfie Evans parents and was outraged when they turned his life support machine off.

Do they just let anyone in certain universities now or am I underestimating her?

OP posts:
daisypond · 30/01/2020 19:23

you cannot get admitted to university without proving you have passed your English and Maths GCSE's
You can. You could have studied a Functional Skills qualification, done an Access course, etc. It also depends on the course you want to study and other things. Eg, you may have English GCSE but not maths and that might be fine.

malylis · 30/01/2020 19:27

Lolasmiles, I know for a fact RG unis aren't offering average students, with average GCSE and lower predicted grades unconditional places.

The old "I said something that was BS on MN and now I have to defend it" line.

Why would they offer these places to mediocre students? What benefit to RG universities get?

AllergicToAMop · 30/01/2020 19:40

you cannot get admitted to university without proving you have passed your English and Maths GCSE's

🙋 And didn't even need this If you are from the EU or classed as international student you need to provided the NARIC authorised equivalent qualification because there simply ISN'T an equivalent qualification. We obviously do that level (and much above actually) but there is just NO qualification-exam.
Some unies request IELTS

malylis · 30/01/2020 19:52

Most if not all Unis request IELTs

givemehopepls · 30/01/2020 20:02

My friend did poorly in her GCSE's and did an Access to HE Diploma. She got a first from a decent university and is doing well, so....

LolaSmiles · 30/01/2020 20:02

malylis
I've not said RG universities are dishing out unconditionals to weak students.

In my experience it's lower ranked universities who are desperate for bums in seats who are dishing them out, and I don't think this is amazing for social mobility because I think it limits able students who needed better support sooner.

A lot of decisions made by universities are motivated by money. Expanding universities hasn't increased the number of academically able / vocationally talented students for decent courses.

Dylaninthemovies1 · 30/01/2020 20:04

Yes, the vast majority of folk can get in regardless how they did at school. And I think it’s bloody great

malylis · 30/01/2020 20:12

The discussion was regarding RG unis though, to which my statement was directed that you then took issue with.

malylis · 30/01/2020 20:14

Actually when you look at the data for graduate earnings you are wrong.

Graduates out earn non graduates, even those from non RG universities out earn those who have less than degree level qualifications.

AllergicToAMop · 30/01/2020 20:15

Most if not all Unis request IELTs
3 out of 4 of my offers didn't want IELTS incl one RG

LolaSmiles · 30/01/2020 20:15

There was something in the press in the last year or two, possibly the Guardian, that did talk about the rise of unconditionals from RG.
I've seen students get unconditional offers from RG universities, nowhere near dishing them out like candy but not were they exceptional students

ethelfleda · 30/01/2020 20:16

I didn’t go to Uni myself. I was born in the mid 80s and when I left school, it was probably a time when most people didn’t go to university. I think back then, having a degree meant something. Now it depends on the degree and what University you went to.

It would be great though if the criteria for being admitted in was your opinion on some random news story!

Ginfordinner · 30/01/2020 20:39

Lolasmiles, I know for a fact RG unis aren't offering average students, with average GCSE and lower predicted grades unconditional places.

I don’t think anyone has suggested this at all. I frequent the WIWIKAU Facebook page, and loads of parents have posted on there about their DC getting unconditional offers – it has to be said, mostly from lower ranking universities. And I agree with LolaSmiles on this yet again.

Back to the original subject. I think it is great that universities encourage more mature students to get a degree. Anyone who has the motivation and aptitude should do well regardless of the route they take to get there. And this shouldn’t be discouraged.

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/01/2020 20:42

Graduates out earn non graduates, even those from non RG universities out earn those who have less than degree level qualifications

That is why 85% of student loans are never repaid

Could it be that the graduates that do actually earn more are earning so much more it makes the figures look like everyone who graduates does really well when it is only a few who actually make it.

j712adrian · 30/01/2020 20:45

.... whereas any thick sod can get in the University of Life.

malylis · 30/01/2020 20:45

The discussion here and my point which Lola took umbridge with was about RG universities.

I know some of the top non RG universities are offering unconditionals to students who would normally go to RGs, plus bursaries, but only if they make them first choice.

This works for them because these kids have good gcses, will get good a levels and will go on to have good careers and further the reputation of the uni.

malylis · 30/01/2020 20:52

The 85 percent figure is because of changes to the way interest is charged on new loans. RPI plus 3.

Lets say on average RPI stands at around 3 percent (usually a percentage higher than the CPI average used for wage increase calculations), then someone starting graduate life with just the fees debt will see 1,350 added to their debt in the first year (when they may or may not reach the threshold). However they would only make small payments each month after they earn over 21,000. The payments system vs the interest means that its likely it will never be paid off. Only 15 percent will manage it on income alone.

It isn't to do with their earnings but the system.

Ginfordinner · 30/01/2020 20:53

You are not wrong malylis, but both LolaSmiles and I weren't talking about high achieving A level students.
DD applied post A levels and was offered a scholarship from Lancaster, but it wasn't her first choice so she went elsewhere.

malylis · 30/01/2020 21:06

But lola took umbridge with what I said, in reference to RG unis.

Lancaster is a good uni. A lot of fuss made about RG, it doesn't mean the teaching is betrer3or the prospects.

The data on earnings is deliacious to play with.

Ginfordinner · 30/01/2020 21:19

Lancaster is more highly ranked than the one DD went to. She just wasn't wowed by it, the course wasn't exactly what she wanted and she didn't want a campus university. She loves where she ended up.

malylis · 30/01/2020 21:25

I agree with that, they have to be happy with where they go.

Uni drop out rates are full of kids leaving courses and unis they selected for reasons other than its what they wanted to do and where they wanted to be

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/01/2020 22:10

malylis

£20,000 per year isn’t exactly that great.
The fact that graduates aren’t earning enough above that figure for long enough to pay off the loan suggests that getting a degree isn’t a given that they will out earn their non graduate peers

malylis · 30/01/2020 22:30

@Oliversmumsarmy 21,000 is the threshold, at which the monthly payment is 85. If the interest increases more than the payments then the debts never go down.

In order to start repaying you would have to start on 52,000.

Its the structure of payments to interest that is the issue, not the earnings.

All the data shows graduates out earn their non graduate peers, but take longer to reach their earning peak.

AllergicToAMop · 30/01/2020 22:41

Threshold is 25k now for plan 2. Plan 1 is 19k

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