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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this course is a waste of time/money? A uni question.

44 replies

CarrieErbag · 18/02/2022 18:51

Dc has just been rejected by Birmingham for their physio degree but offered a sports/health science place instead.
She wants to accepting the hope that she can then do physio when she finishes but dh thinks it's an absolute farce and money making venture, with no guarantee of a physio place at the end of it.
Also she plays no sport, didn't even do PE at school due to a disability, so dh thinks she'll be a fish out of water surrounded by 'jocks' on the course.
What do you think?

OP posts:

SeasonFinale · 18/02/2022 19:30

Has she applied to other places? She can apply to up to 5. Although she has missed the date for equal consideration she can call unis offering physiotherapy and ask if they are taking late applications. She may then get other offers.

If she can't find somewhere to take a late application then yes she can reject her current offer to release herself into clearing when it opens in July (before A level results day)

SeasonFinale · 18/02/2022 19:32

@Jedsnewstar

Yes sports science degree is a bit of a Micky mouse degree and will be filled with jocks. Your DH is spot on. The route after is sports coaching or personal trainer.

There are also routes into all sorts of careers which just require graduate entry without requiring specific degree subjects some of which are high paying (as per my oldest). These are not the only careers.

Original poster

CarrieErbag · 18/02/2022 19:32

She is on a waiting list for work experience with a private practice, no other offers yet.
She also knows that a clearing place is not likely.

OP posts:

Vaxhubsandwich · 18/02/2022 19:39

Hi, I am a physio and have lectured on a physio degree course.
Yes Sports Science might help her get onto a physio degree in 3 years time, but she'll still have to interview etc and it's another 2 or 3 years depending on the course. Its a long and tiring road. It's a common offer if someone doesn't get onto physio.
Yes sometimes physio degrees do go into clearing, it's become more common recently.
Working as a physio assistant is an excellent CV thing , BUT these are rare and highly sought after jobs.
There is honestly no way a school leaver with no experience would get one. However if she takes a year out there are other things she could do to help her application.
Please feel free to message me, I'm all for promoting the profession.

balalake · 18/02/2022 19:41

I agree with your DH. Sorry to read that your DD has been unsuccessful but don't give up on her hopes.

Icecreamsprinkles · 18/02/2022 19:42

My DD is doing physio . She was offered a place at Birmingham but she was also offered or looked at a number of other courses which all looked equally good at other unis ( Leicester, Oxford Brooke’s, Worcester, Coventry)with slightly lower offers . If she wants to do physio she should stick to that goal. Apply to other unis get best grades she can. If worse comes to worse either resit and get work experience and apply again next year. If she is determined enough I am sure she will get on a physio course. I agree with your DH stick to the goal

Iwantamarshmallowman · 18/02/2022 19:50

I agree with yr DH.
Something similar happend to me. I let DM talk me into taking the other course. I hated every minute of it. It put me off pursuing my dream career and I ended up in customer service. Its my biggest regret. I'm 40 and I've only just found a job I enjoy.

ChotaPeg · 18/02/2022 19:57

Yep - probably will be full of sporty-types. Has she been to any open days?
Perhaps encourage your daughter to contact the admissions team / tutor to seek feedback on the reason her application was rejected. She can then consider whether she can address the gaps through taking a year out and re-applying next year.
Admissions should also be able to advise her if there might be an option for her to do the first year of the course she's been offered and then request to transfer to the physio course.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 18/02/2022 20:05

Your DP (and other posters on here) think that's it's a waste of time studying Sports Science because she's a disabled girl who would be around big, tall, non disabled men?

That's what he's saying with the 'fish out of water' comment. That disabled girls shouldn't do things that he thinks are only for physically able/men.

Are you sure that's the message she needs to hear? That her disability and sex mean that she isn't allowed to be like other people?

The course might not be the right one for her - but that doesn't come across as the actual meaning behind 'it's a waste of time'. What does come across is that he doesn't think disabled girls belong there.

Original poster

CarrieErbag · 18/02/2022 20:18

No he's really not saying that.
She's never so much as played a game of netball at the age of 11, never mind captained the hockey/ netball/insert sport of choice at the level that some sports or any other uni undergrad may have done.

OP posts:

PermanentTemporary · 18/02/2022 20:48

Therapy assistant jobs may be sought after in some areas but we struggle to recruit good ones! Also lots of people do that job to get experience for a course so there's a turnover. You have to be prepared to get your hands dirty (wipe bums etc).

titchy · 18/02/2022 20:53

Another one agreeing with your dh. Did she apply anywhere else? Is she still waiting for offers?

Original poster

CarrieErbag · 18/02/2022 20:58

Waiting to hear from Glasgow Cal and UCLAN?

OP posts:

VladmirsPoutine · 18/02/2022 21:22

Your DH is right. If possible I'd encourage anyone young today to look at skills-based learning, apprenticeships and that sort of thing. A traditional degree is nigh on useless and very expensive toboot.

belle40 · 18/02/2022 21:54

@CarrieErbag Glasgow is a brilliant programme, I don't know UCLAN as well but both established programmes. To be honest, unless there is a particular reason why she doesn't want to live in either location they would both be good places to study.

titchy · 18/02/2022 22:04

No rush to decide then. Though if she ends up with nothing I'd be inclined to reject Sports at Brum and go through clearing or try again with grades in hand next year.

Cyclingforcake · 18/02/2022 22:11

DH recently qualified as a physio and has been the ‘student voice’ on physio interview panels. He agrees don’t do the sports science course but a good year out with any health care experience (working in a care home/local hospital) even if not a therapy assistant will add to her application next year.

2DemisSVP · 18/02/2022 22:19

Also has she looked at all the allied health professions ? Physio I think is often popular because it’s seen as something for sporty kids. But radiographer, ODP, podiatry etc all good careers with variety of entry routes (and often bursaries ). … www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/role/

spotcheck · 18/02/2022 22:19

If she is aiming at physiotherapy, she should stick with that dream.
She people get turned down either because of their academic profile , their work experience or the interview.
If she has to, she can address whatever it is that was weak, and reapply . IE do an Access course if her academic profile is weak....take a year out and shadow physics, work in a care environment, volunteer in a relevant setting, etc.

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