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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Tell me all about your successful non-RG graduate DC

37 replies

Fadingmemory · 12/10/2015 18:02

University hierarchies abound. Oxbridge followed by the other RG universities (and there are further hierarchies within the RG)

DD achieved well at school, did not get her first choice, but her second. She has undergone a huge transformation from a totally self-centred teenager to a disciplined, hard working and hard playing young woman.

Surely, grads other than those from RGs have successful careers so please tell me about them. Sometimes when I read some threads on MN (though not all) I feel that there will be little opportunity for her.

Not specifying DD's university or the degree as I do not want either picked on as sub-standard.

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 13/10/2015 10:03

I'm hoping that DS2 is soon to be a "successful non-RG graduate DC". He went to a well established but probably unfashionable non-RG university for his first degree and has just completed his masters at a (popular with Mumsnetters) RG university and is busy applying for jobs! He also has the disadvantage of not having the requisite 300 points at A2, so some city jobs are closed to him, despite a Merit in his Economics masters. The graduate recruitment market isn't terribly good on realising that some people are tortoises rather than hares ... but my little tortoise has caught up!

DanishBlue · 13/10/2015 14:15

DS age 21, average student at school, not great A-levels CCCD, worked his bum off at Teesside University, graduated with a First in June, full time job July on excellent starting salary with bonus and good prospects. Did also work part time in retail from 16 so has a good work ethic.

Was more than happy for DD to go to a modern university, or even apprenticeship, as was she, but she put a cheeky RG down as her first choice and met the entry. I don't think her job prospects and starting salary will be any/much different.

The main point is, both were happy and did/do well.

Grazia1984 · 13/10/2015 14:33

He's a postman.

Original poster
Fadingmemory · 13/10/2015 21:10

Thank you for your replies. Yes, just an anxious parent who does not want to transmit that anxiety to her DD. Hope all your DC make their way in the world with happiness and satisfaction. It's up to her now.

OP posts:
Moominmammacat · 13/10/2015 23:38

Dh and I both Oxbridge management consultants. Much of our work comes from Stafford/Hallam/Bournemouth business and media graduates. They tell us what to do and pay us.

Grazia1984 · 14/10/2015 07:11

My son's university (Reading) is not as good as his RG sisters' universities. They are London solicitors and he is a postman. However that is his choice. He could pick something "better" (whatever better means) if he wanted so I am not saying this is a scientific correlation.

Headofthehive55 · 14/10/2015 11:29

It's good that you are trying not to transmit that anxiety. I think there is too much emphasis on getting into RG unis. My DD was the same, felt she had failed cos she got her second choice which wasn't a RG. She worried I'd think less of her cos I'd been to a RG ( two actually) Sad.

The worst came at a house party when her school friends all were playing top trumps with their unis. She left early, and hasn't bothered with them since.

Mind you she's the only one from this bunch with the paid summer placement relevant to her future career, and the promise of an interview for a permanent job nearer the end of her course.

Runwayqueen · 14/10/2015 11:51

I studied at an ex-poly. At the time it was the best university for the degree subject I chose. Had a fabulous time and walked straight into my chosen career. I'm one of the lowest paid people doing my job, (I'm pt post dc and also in a regional location), but I'm probably one of the youngest and one of a few females doing it

Verritie0 · 14/10/2015 12:40

Well I have 2 dd one went to non RG has graduated this year and is in retail management not her intended career but it's the best option at the moment, she has been to many interviews so not going to RG hasn't been a problem getting her to that point. DD 2 wanted to go to a non RG that is fairly high ranking, however she didn't get the grades and ended up in a RG uni that was her insurance. In time I will be able to see which has had the easier ride career wise. But in terms of comparison between dd1 and dd2 the RG uni is definately more rigourous in terms of depth of work and expectations. But then they are both different entry requirements the non RG dd attended was UCAS points based a lot lower than dd2 which was A level grades.
The point is if dd2 went to dd1 uni I actually don't think she will feel stretched. dd1 mentioned (non RG) that she did feel work was dumbed down a bit to suit the cohort who were C/D grades at A level. I would say go to the uni with entry requirement that is suited to his A level grades regardless wether it's RG or Non RG if im making some sense. Get as much work experience or internships whilst at uni as this just as important than the degree itself.

RhodaBull · 15/10/2015 14:38

A recent experience is dd of friends: took 3 A Levels that made me gulp a bit (Drama, Law and Biology), did a law degree at an ex-poly and... now, according to MN, she would be working in a call centre or at the very best as a barrista, but... no, she got a traineeship at a magic circle firm. Ha!

overthemill · 15/10/2015 14:44

Russell group is a 'club' originally intended ( so they say) to ensure high standards in teaching and research. Not everybody could join the club or it would be pointless. oXbridge is also a club. In my day ( I went to study in mid 1970s) it was Oxbridge, then Bristol, Durham and the like with 'new ' universities underneath. And then the Polys. I went to a Poly and got an OK degree . If your doc works hard enough to get a good degree they will be fine. No one asks about my degree anymore

mamadoc · 15/10/2015 15:46

DH has his own business in a popular, niche field and when he occasionally advertises a graduate vacancy he is swamped with hundreds of applicants.

When shortlisting he has a preference for those with degrees from Brunel, Loughborough and Bournemouth as those are acknowledged in his field to be the best courses. None of those are Russell Group and although the course is run at some Russell group Unis it is not so well regarded as these ones.

I give this as an example that it is the course not the institution that matters these days.
People who mistakenly chose to do this course at a 'better' university would be making themselves less competitive in the field.

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