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Higher education

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

Original poster

Scottish universities

118 replies

LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 10:37

I believe that degrees at Scottish universities are usually over four years. Does this mean that the first year is slightly easier for English students who may have covered some of the coursework in their A levels? Do they get a shock in the second year when they actually have to do some work?

DD is taking a gap year and her friends who are in Scotland seem to party all the time and do very little work. Her friends at English universities party less and have more work to do, or are they just more conscientious?

OP posts:
zsazsajuju · 07/12/2018 10:41

I don’t think they’re easier necessarily. Just more variety of subjects.

cancla · 07/12/2018 10:50

Does this mean that the first year is slightly easier for English students who may have covered some of the coursework in their A levels? Do they get a shock in the second year when they actually have to do some work?

Wow.

Are you serious Biscuit

celtiethree · 07/12/2018 10:54

Where you have relevant A levels, Advanced Highers it is possible to have direct entry into second year as students, some students do find first year to be a very gentle introduction but you can can mitigate this by taking courses/subjects in areas that have not been covered in A/AH syllabus.

Each university will publish where direct entry to 2nd year is possible and the criteria that needs to be met.

I would advise my DC to always start in first year as I think there is a lot to be gained from starting with the the first years rather than trying to break into established groups that will have formed by the 2nd years.

IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 10:55

As I understand it the first year IS at an easier level. Scottish kids can go in after Highers iirc although they often do then do another year at school. But at university first year only Highers are assumed.

Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 10:56

There is no need for the biscuit cancla Hmm

I know very little about Scottish education, and all the students I know in Scottish universities seem to have a lot more time to party and go out than the students in English universities. They have fewer lectures and seminars and seem to do very little self study. Or maybe the ones I know are just lazy and unmotivated.

This is in no way meant to be a goady post, simply my limited knowledge. I know that students in Scotland have to study modules that aren't related to their degree or contribute to it in the first year or two, so maybe they are taking it more slowly?

OP posts:
Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 10:59

Cross posted. Thank you celtiethree and IsThereRoomAtTheInn.

I feel a little sad for DD as when she goes to university it will be very full on - 30 hours of lectures/seminars/labs a week, plus self study. She won't have the energy to go out very much.

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Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 11:00

Interestingly, this particular university has a lot of English students who applied through clearing, yet it is a very good RG university.

OP posts:
IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 11:03

Sounds like your daughter's friends from England might be enjoying a bit of a gap year right now at their Scottish Universities!

They will however take four years to complete their degree rather than three. Which is costly to them or their parents.

cancla · 07/12/2018 11:04

There is no need for the biscuit cancla 

I know very little about Scottish education,

Then don't make ridiculous judgements about the universities being 'easy' to English students. WTF.

cancla · 07/12/2018 11:05

This is in no way meant to be a goady post,

Perhaps not making your judgment based on Scottish students partying more would have helped

RCohle · 07/12/2018 11:05

How can you possibly think this isn't goady?

I'm your daughter will manage to struggle on despite having to work so much harder than all the lazy Scots.

IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 11:09

Surely it's the English students with a full set of A levels that the op is irritated by? The Scottish students will have a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers depending on what their school could offer.

Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 11:09

I was trying to establish whether doing a degree over four years when some of the work in the first year might have been covered in English schools by English students might have given them a slight advantage in the first year. Maybe my wording was a little Hmm, so I apologise for that.

OP posts:
Shantay · 07/12/2018 11:10

The first year is easier. A lot of Scottish people go to university straight after their highers, so many are only 17 when they go.

If you do well enough in your A levels in England you can gain entry at year two and don't have to do the first year.

I went to university in Scotland and went straight in to the second year. In hindsight I wish I did the first year too. I loved university and it's over too soon. 4 years at uni. Bonus! (Though fees were only 1800 a year when I went. I understand they're much more now...)

AgentProvocateur · 07/12/2018 11:11

No, you're right. Every single English student is more conscientious that their Scottish counterpart. Hmm

IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 11:11

The university system fits your the school system.

I certainly know of a student who chose to go to Scotland as it WAS a gentler first year! He was a high achiever but needed to work very hard iyswim.

Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 11:14

You are deliberately trying to misunderstand me AgentProvocateur. Clearly some of the other posters get what I am (clumsily) trying to say. There are plenty of unmotivated universsity students in England so this isn't meant to be a dig at Scottish students Hmm

OP posts:
IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 11:14

Forgive me op if I'm wrong.

AgentP, My reading of this is it's English students who are possibly seen as taking advantage and failing to show diligence!

Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 11:16

You have hit the nail on the head IsThereRoomAtTheInn

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celtiethree · 07/12/2018 11:17

I think some Scottish Unis cap fees for English students at 3 years. Glasgow Uni for example will cap at £27,750 for a four year degree (not for dentistry, medicine or veterinary). The 27k will still be charged even for direct entry into 2nd year.

Shantay · 07/12/2018 11:20

Also I was a fucking party animal at my Scottish university. I attended many a lecture hungover. I was stranded overnight in Glasgow once. I had a bloody brilliant time. I still got a 1:1 (not a stealth boast) and am in a good job for it now. You can party hard and work hard too...

IsThereRoomAtTheInn · 07/12/2018 11:21

Ah I did not realise that celtie. Just extra living costs to cover then.

Original poster
LoniceraJaponica · 07/12/2018 11:24

"You can party hard and work hard too"

Loads of students can and do. Sadly, I know quite a few that can't and don't.

OP posts:
Shantay · 07/12/2018 11:28

OP I think that's the same for all universities across the UK. At the end of the day if you care about your degree and you have it in you to get a good grade, you will regardless of where you study (in my opinion)

ApolloandDaphne · 07/12/2018 11:33

Actually I think you are correct. My DD1 went to a Scottish uni. She didn't do A levels but did the International Baccalaureate which is quite a tough qualification. She had a blast in first year as she didn't find the work too difficult and her course had taught her how to learn independently. Those who had done Highers found it a lot harder going. This is only her experience so others may disagree.

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