Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel that some parents just want their children at Uni even if its a BS degree

906 replies

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 20:57

Hello
I come from a background/culture where education is seen as very important and going to a university is a must (My parents came to England in 1962)

Yes, more and more jobs are seeking degrees and often even when not necessary. There are many professions where you must have a degree to join the course training

However, what I and my family call BS degrees, to name but a few

Arts
Studio Fine arts
Arth History
Business studies
Exercise Science
Fashion

I cant see what jobs they will get as there must be other routes, less intensive and extensive to get the job they want

When I've talked about mickey-mouse degrees at parties etc and not be aware that some parents children or they may have studied them, they start to defend the indefensible.
The biggest bS degree is 'Politics' - WTH!! Sadly, we know a few people whose children have done that and ended up running the family shop/business - total waste of a degree

There are other degrees just as crappy - they should be banned IMO

AIBU to think these degrees are a waste of time and often do not aid the person into a job in that field?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You are aware what the definition of "most" is?? I'm asking you as you have used it in the context of your post.

OP posts:
Runnerinthenight · 19/03/2024 22:02

asdasdasdsadad · 19/03/2024 21:56

Well sadly your second sentence is no longer true. There are so many degrees with watered down content. Very little work of any academic calibre. Marks for things like pop quizzes where the questions are very easy, straight from the textbook. And group work where people can free ride.
People can get into courses with C's and D's in clearing. Hardly 'academically capable'.

I disagree with the OP in that Fine Art or related isn't a useless degree. @Runnerinthenight placements etc are obviously indicative of a good degree. You are clearly choosing well, with an eye towards employability. I know people who did Animation and have their names in the credits for movies, video games. People like the OP would sniff at places like Ravensbourne, which is I believe the lowest ranked university in the UK but THE place for creative arts (media and broadcasting) degree. Very few big pieces are made in the UK without Ravensbourne alumni on set!

However. I agree with the basic premise, that not all degrees are worth it. I wouldn't make a sweeping generalisation on entire courses though. Even Computer Science which has a double digit unemployment rate. That is my field, some uni syllabuses are so outdated and not rigorous at all... their graduates have to start at the bottom again, e.g. with IT support roles. Little point to the degree. They might as well have stayed home, gotten it remotely via the OU and saved themselves the accommodation costs.

Edited

I agree that there are degrees with little academic calibre, and I do agree that far too many YP now go to uni. Back in my day, it was the top 5%. I do think that was way too narrow but I think the pendulum has swung the other way, and some very average students are achieving places in uni. It kind of devalues degrees, because now so many people have them, they're commonplace.

However, I totally disagree with the denigration of such a huge swathe of degrees!

I hate group work, because in most cases, there are those who contribute fuck all, but get carried by the more conscientious students, fearful of pulling their marks down.

Runnerinthenight · 19/03/2024 22:03

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:01

You are aware what the definition of "most" is?? I'm asking you as you have used it in the context of your post.

"Most" = the majority. There's a minority of niche, 'out there' degrees, and the ones you have denigrated are not in that number.

Next stupid question??!

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:04

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2024 21:01

My niece did arts and now she is a tattooist, makes hundreds on just one tattoo.

I know of people back in my motherland that are "tattooists" that have no degree, no education and make money, but not "good money" as like here in England, most people will not have a tattoo.

I could do a tattoo as could other people if they wanted to, so does not require a degree.

OP posts:
MolkosTeenageAngst · 19/03/2024 22:04

You say you value education but nothing you have written looks like that’s true. It sounds like you only value a degree education if it is persued with a specific career in mind. Look up the definition of education and nowhere does it say education is a means to a career. There are lots of skills that can be learnt through a university level education: critical thinking, research, reviewing, debate etc. Is there no value in doing a degree simply for the knowledge and skills around a subject area you will learn regardless of whether you will use them in a future career? Personal growth shouldn’t only be viewed as valuable if it gets you a job at the end. If you only value education as a means to a career I’d argue you don’t really value education at all.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:04

Runnerinthenight · 19/03/2024 22:03

"Most" = the majority. There's a minority of niche, 'out there' degrees, and the ones you have denigrated are not in that number.

Next stupid question??!

you mean 51/49%
Next

OP posts:
Pinkfluffypencilcase · 19/03/2024 22:05

NotTodayJesus · 19/03/2024 21:46

It is so much fun! I actually started working in film about 4 years before I did my masters. I did it out of interest and because I had the time to. Being honest, I've never been asked what degree I have. It's more experience based....which I wouldn't have gotten without the skillset that I have learnt on my degrees. That being said, I do say that I have a Masters (when I can) because I did it a specific well-known place in the film industry. It's like a bragging right 🤣

You should definitely brag!

asdasdasdsadad · 19/03/2024 22:05

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:04

I know of people back in my motherland that are "tattooists" that have no degree, no education and make money, but not "good money" as like here in England, most people will not have a tattoo.

I could do a tattoo as could other people if they wanted to, so does not require a degree.

You are in the UK not your motherland.
Clearly, a degree doesn't always teach critical thinking and open-mindedness as you have demonstrated so clearly with a lack of it!
Your have proven your point with your own ignorance.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:06

MolkosTeenageAngst · 19/03/2024 22:04

You say you value education but nothing you have written looks like that’s true. It sounds like you only value a degree education if it is persued with a specific career in mind. Look up the definition of education and nowhere does it say education is a means to a career. There are lots of skills that can be learnt through a university level education: critical thinking, research, reviewing, debate etc. Is there no value in doing a degree simply for the knowledge and skills around a subject area you will learn regardless of whether you will use them in a future career? Personal growth shouldn’t only be viewed as valuable if it gets you a job at the end. If you only value education as a means to a career I’d argue you don’t really value education at all.

To be clear, you are saying there are no , good as wasteful degrees where there little chance of getting a job on the back of that degree?

OP posts:
Runnerinthenight · 19/03/2024 22:06

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:04

you mean 51/49%
Next

How did your little brain figure that out?!!!

I don't mean that at all. You're actually outrageous!

everythinglooksbetterpaintedblack · 19/03/2024 22:06

There are plenty of bullshit degrees but none of those are in your list .

Orangesandsatsumas · 19/03/2024 22:06

Baffling some of the degrees you have on that list!

asdasdasdsadad · 19/03/2024 22:06

@NotTodayJesus I'd love to come to work with you! Sadly, my job is not that exciting.
Video game design friend has promised to bring me to the studio one day, and I have been on a couple of film sets as an extra so not that bad I guess :D

Runnerinthenight · 19/03/2024 22:06

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:06

To be clear, you are saying there are no , good as wasteful degrees where there little chance of getting a job on the back of that degree?

So what's your degree then, Einstein???!!

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2024 22:07

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:04

I know of people back in my motherland that are "tattooists" that have no degree, no education and make money, but not "good money" as like here in England, most people will not have a tattoo.

I could do a tattoo as could other people if they wanted to, so does not require a degree.

🙄She didn't set out to be a tattooist, it just happened. She did art and design, she charges £200 a tattoo.

AUDHDVET · 19/03/2024 22:07

I’d have to disagree and I am a vet! I earn less than 40k full time, people in business, arts etc earn more than me

shatteredmum1 · 19/03/2024 22:09

Oh boy!
Is this another Mumsnet wind-up?
IMHO politics should be a compulsory subject at school. Tell me how you think it's a waste of time as a degree!!
Every adult should have to vote as well.
We get the government we deserve because no one actually votes.
Don't answer, I'm going to bed.
I hope this is a joke.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 19/03/2024 22:10

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:06

To be clear, you are saying there are no , good as wasteful degrees where there little chance of getting a job on the back of that degree?

Yes, because education shouldn’t only be seen as a means to a career. Education should be about learning, developing knowledge and skills and understanding of a subject and developing the ability to think critically and to express a viewpoint. Education should not be seen as only valuable if it can get you a specific career, it is valuable in the sense that the educated person has developed skills and knowledge they didn’t have prior to undertaking the degree. If you truly value education you should see the value in learning regardless of whether it has an explicit purpose.

celandiney · 19/03/2024 22:10

Shiningout · 19/03/2024 21:04

What is arth history? Just so I know

Presumably a contraction of arthropod history? Really no obvious career path there .
I did consider The History of Arthritis, but as a medicine adjacent field of study that one might open doors,and thus be Worthwhile.

mitogoshi · 19/03/2024 22:10

I did business (well called commerce) and several of my classmates are partners in top accounting firms, a couple are on the board of ftse companies ... I think it's a decent degree!

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 19/03/2024 22:10

Looking at the list, it is imprecise and ill informed. There is a shortage of graphic designers, for example.

SadAct342 · 19/03/2024 22:11

Think the op is sitting at home with popcorn, clearly wanted a reaction. Glad you qualified it with IMO ... which is clearly not worth a lot

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/03/2024 22:11

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2024 22:07

🙄She didn't set out to be a tattooist, it just happened. She did art and design, she charges £200 a tattoo.

Edited

Point provene, ie the types of degrees I mention rarely lead to a job in that field IMO

I forgot to add the worst degree of all that we all lol about
Media Studies😂

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13112747/mickey-mouse-degree-disney-lion-king.html

'I did Britain's most Mickey Mouse degree: We just watched Lion King'

EXCLUSIVE: An ex-student of a media-studies course crowned the ultimate 'Mickey Mouse' degree says she has no regrets about dropping out as the lecturers are 'obsessed' with Disney

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13112747/mickey-mouse-degree-disney-lion-king.html

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2024 22:12

You are so far up your own arse OP.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 19/03/2024 22:13

"Possibly, I should have stated that the number of people that take these degrees and job avialaibity is lacking and or not seen as useful to many in the real world of work, on the whole"

Well you didn't study English.