Page 6 | Is my son going to get in all this bloody student debt for nothing?

Sweak · 18/07/2021 09:58

@HforHotel

That's a hell of a lot of money for a degree that isn't going to hold much weight. Also, as an HR Director, I've overseen grad recruiting for the past 20 years. I've never heard of the university.

A degree is a barrier to entry for many professions. However, it isn't about having any degree... it also needs to be from a credible institution and awarded at a 2:1 or above. IMO he would be better off looking at clearing to find a place at a higher- placed university.

Unless you work in the creative industry I don't think you are qualified to comment on his employability

As you have never heard of this specialist university I'm going to assume you don't

HforHotel · 18/07/2021 10:07

@Sweak no, I don't work in the media industry, but we have large Marketing, PR and Comms functions. We also brought in new teams at the end of 2018 to focus wholly on digital strategy and social media content.

We're currently recruiting senior manager roles within the Marketing and PR teams. I interviewed candidates for both positions last week. We've got a wash up session tomorrow to make the hiring decisions. As a matter of interest, I'll ask the Marketing Director and Head of Comms if they've heard of the university. It may be well known within that particular specialism.

After a number of years, experience in the job trounces the degree, but I am concerned about the vast number of new graduates who don't have opportunities within their chosen fields. It's more competitive than ever. Our candidate pools grow year on year.

Sweak · 18/07/2021 10:07

Some of you on here need to take a good hard look at yourselves. Makes you feel superior does it to rubbish the achievements of an 18 year old?

I don't believe these replies come from a 'good place', more an ignorant place of outdated information

This site is full of lovely well intentioned people but also a bunch of snobs who only value stem subjects from red brick universities.

Sweak · 18/07/2021 10:11

[quote HforHotel]@Sweak no, I don't work in the media industry, but we have large Marketing, PR and Comms functions. We also brought in new teams at the end of 2018 to focus wholly on digital strategy and social media content.

We're currently recruiting senior manager roles within the Marketing and PR teams. I interviewed candidates for both positions last week. We've got a wash up session tomorrow to make the hiring decisions. As a matter of interest, I'll ask the Marketing Director and Head of Comms if they've heard of the university. It may be well known within that particular specialism.

After a number of years, experience in the job trounces the degree, but I am concerned about the vast number of new graduates who don't have opportunities within their chosen fields. It's more competitive than ever. Our candidate pools grow year on year.

[/quote]
I thought I read the OPs son wants to work in production? More niche than marketing and PR so would make sense to go to a specialist university

I agree it's competitive out there hence the need to try to get relevant work experience alongside a degree. From what I understand this course has vocational elements? Or at least the university is more vocational based than others. Seems a logical choice to me.

Obakarama · 18/07/2021 10:11

The ignorance on this thread. Media Production is not Media Studies. Ravensbourne is a film media production trading place, far better than an illusive apprenticeship. Why you should not listen to randoms on the internet.he could check out s
The Student Room for actual experiences though.

Obakarama · 18/07/2021 10:11

Training not trading.....

TheVampiresWife · 18/07/2021 10:15

The ignorance on this thread

You'd think they'd be more intelligent, wouldn't you, what with all their proper degrees from proper universities.

Nothing worse than ignorant people who think they know it all.

hangonamo · 18/07/2021 10:34

We have tens of thousands of new grads applying for a few hundred places every year. It's not media.

Not that hard to see why you haven't heard of it then, if your industry is nothing to do with Ravensbourne's specialism.
Doesn't mean it's not good, just because its graduates are not interested in working for you. 🤷‍♀️

TheDevils · 18/07/2021 10:40

@drpet49

Media degree is worthless in the real world.

No they aren't. Don't be so snobby and ignorant

TheDevils · 18/07/2021 10:43

If your dc went to university last year did they get money back. How did it work?

Are you talking about tuition fee refunds?

No, you don't get refunds because of government imposed restrictions. At my university all lectures, tutorials and seminars took place live as per the published timetable ( via teams when in lockdown) so why should they get a refund?

AbsolutelyPatsy · 18/07/2021 10:47

dd had to come home after 6 months in hall, due to covid.
she got accommodation refund for the time she wasnt in halls
she was 1st year
now 2nd year and in a house and quite happy to be living in the university town away from home.

Newgirls · 18/07/2021 10:49

Media production sounds useful to me - huge amount of website, video and music tech needed out there.

Good luck to him.

If he can get uni acom rather than private he has a little more ‘power’ if not allowed to use it. Mine got some money back that way.

LIZS · 18/07/2021 10:50

You should be able to find employability stats for the uni/course which may reassure you.

Bryonyshcmyony · 18/07/2021 10:57

@TheDevils

If your dc went to university last year did they get money back. How did it work?

Are you talking about tuition fee refunds?

No, you don't get refunds because of government imposed restrictions. At my university all lectures, tutorials and seminars took place live as per the published timetable ( via teams when in lockdown) so why should they get a refund?

Because presumably some of the tuition fees include use of the university buildings? It's not a completely ridiculous suggestion to make.

CustardyCreams · 18/07/2021 11:00

I know absolutely nothing about media studies, but my DH did a degree in sports science and people used to constantly take the p* that he did a degree in PE. He went to a comp that had poor outcomes for most kids. In the end, he switched to joint honours with biology and the degree was actually very technical. He originally hoped to be a sports psychologist or a PT, but his idea changed as he got more work experience. He is now a successful businessman grossing six figures most years.

It can be a risk doing a degree that some people don’t rate as being academic enough, but it CAN lead on to great things.

Recommend your son is a) very proud of his achievements and b) tries to get plenty of experience. A year out is a good idea IF he can arrange to get some good experience, or IF he could get a job and in his spare time do something creative in his preferred area of media.

I wish your son the very best, and hope he stays proud, confident and strategic about pursuing his career. It’s a huge industry and there is no fixed route of entry.

TheDevils · 18/07/2021 11:05

Because presumably some of the tuition fees include use of the university buildings? It's not a completely ridiculous suggestion to make.

But uk tuition fees don't actually cover the cost of delivering a degree course ( this is why universities rely on international students). Mass refunds of fees would see further redundancies and universities close down.

newnortherner111 · 18/07/2021 11:05

Degrees used to be about one in ten and are now about one in two. So their value is lessened as not a minority of people.

I would not have considered university had the same system existed as does now, back when I was 18.

Bryonyshcmyony · 18/07/2021 11:06

@TheDevils

Because presumably some of the tuition fees include use of the university buildings? It's not a completely ridiculous suggestion to make.

But uk tuition fees don't actually cover the cost of delivering a degree course ( this is why universities rely on international students). Mass refunds of fees would see further redundancies and universities close down.

Yes and I'm not campaigning for fee refunds or anything. I can understand why some students feel hard done by though.

TheDevils · 18/07/2021 11:10

Yes and I'm not campaigning for fee refunds or anything. I can understand why some students feel hard done by though.

I can fully understand why some students feel hard done by - as an academic I feel hard done by too! It's been the toughest 16 months of my career. It's broken me.

Bryonyshcmyony · 18/07/2021 11:12

@TheDevils

Yes and I'm not campaigning for fee refunds or anything. I can understand why some students feel hard done by though.

I can fully understand why some students feel hard done by - as an academic I feel hard done by too! It's been the toughest 16 months of my career. It's broken me.

I'm so sorry for teachers. It must have been horrific. My dds lecturers have been really brilliant actually we've been impressed

TillyTopper · 18/07/2021 11:13

Both my sons had their first year at Uni last year. Most of it was online for one, for the other all of it was online. They seem to have done pretty well - good marks. They both regard it as a good way to spend a lock down year when it would have been hard to get jobs. Obviously not much socialising, disappointing to not meet lots of ppl on the same course - but worthwhile is their opinion.

TheDevils · 18/07/2021 11:15

I'm so sorry for teachers. It must have been horrific. My dds lecturers have been really brilliant actually we've been impressed

Im really pleased that you DD has had a positive experience. Most academics I know have worked really hard to do the best for their students. I know it's been tough and some universities haven't been great BUT I think there have been some that have done very well in difficult circumstances.

Bakedbeanhead · 18/07/2021 11:27

Ahh congrats to your son OP. We are in the same boat, our Son is off in Sept, he’s chosen his uni himself and we have supported him with his choice.
Don’t let people on here rain on your parade and be proud of his accomplishments xx

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 18/07/2021 11:28

I agree with @Weebleweeble

Lots of ill informed and outdated views on here

Hope he gets the grades to get in and enjoys it OP

My son will hopefully be starting Uni too in September, grades pending

The debt is different from “normal debt” in that you only pay it off if you earn enough to afford paying it off

Ilikeknitting · 18/07/2021 11:29

@sskanky wow talk about piss on my chips. I was feeling pretty proud of him

I think you’ve misinterpreted what @sskanky was saying. Her advice was sound! Don’t ask for advice on a public forum then be rude to people offering help!