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Higher education

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

Original poster

DS started uni last september, i think he should leave and start at a different uni sept

137 replies

blueskyblues11111 · 10/02/2021 11:55

DS is at a non RG uni, and After this year of covid stop / starting / isolating at uni plus the fact the DS got much better A’level results than he was predicted . I feel he should reapply to a RG uni to re start he uni course of economics this September . Aibu to feel like this ,,?

i have spoken to DS about this possible option , but he says he wants to stay where he is ,,,

I know I really need to stop dwelling on this option but it’s hard when 1st years have had such a tricky start to their uni life ....

BTW , i know i probably ABU :)

OP posts:
chillybeans · 11/02/2021 08:07

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if RG unis are better or not because her DS doesn’t want to move. Considering that he’s doing economics at uni he’s obviously not an idiot living in a bubble so I’m sure he’s perfectly aware that other unis rank better than his uni and this could possibly have implications in the future - and he still doesn’t want to move.

Xenia · 11/02/2021 08:11

It sounds like he is at Sunderland or possibly Newcastle (if NE - where I am from) and perhaps could have done better but with economics that might entirely depend on maths A level. I think you need that (and he might indeed have it) for the better economics courses. As said he has missed the deadline anyway to apply for next academic year so no point wasting two whole years - might as well finish where he is and go somewhere better for post grad or just concentrate on getting the kind of job he wants.

TeaPiglet · 11/02/2021 08:17

A lot of uni's don't allow you to simply start the same course at a different uni, he'd more than likely have to do a slightly different course still within economics

Somethingkindaoooo · 11/02/2021 08:20

Op
Like all parents, you want you child to have the best chances.
If he is happy where he is , why not have a discussion about top quality work experience, summer placements ?
If HE still wants a Russell Group uni on his cv, perhaps at MA level?

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 08:22

As said he has missed the deadline anyway to apply for next academic year so no point wasting two whole years

Again.... there is still UCAS extra and Clearing!!!!

Both used widely by all types of university as a valid admissions process. The January deadline is for 'equal consideration'.

PresentingPercy · 11/02/2021 08:36

I was not talking about factors that influence employability of DC at RG universities. However research also shows that the lower socioeconomic classes at RG do worse than others from higher groups. It’s likely to be family background and confidence at play there. I wasn’t going to make any comments on the background of the op.

If it’s Newcastle uni he attends, why change? Sunderland (or others?) stay but try for masters elsewhere. I believe I said this earlier. No one can force DC to move can they? Better advice was possibly necessary before he chose though.

PresentingPercy · 11/02/2021 08:37

When I say “do worse” I mean earning capacity. Don’t go for the higher paying grad schemes etc.

JunoTurner · 11/02/2021 08:47

If it’s Newcastle uni he attends, why change?

Jesus fucking Christ Grin Despite you banging on about RG universities @PresentingPercy you’re clearly not aware that Newcastle IS a Russel Group university.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 08:48

was not talking about factors that influence employability of DC at RG universities. However research also shows that the lower socioeconomic classes at RG do worse than others from higher groups. It’s likely to be family background and confidence at play there. I wasn’t going to make any comments on the background of the op.

If you're going to make blanket statements about RG universities performing better then you need to acknowledge the wide range of factors which influence this.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 08:50

@PresentingPercy

When I say “do worse” I mean earning capacity. Don’t go for the higher paying grad schemes etc.
Again, a really complicated issue.
DoTheNextRightThing · 11/02/2021 08:52

As someone who worked in HE until very recently, university rankings are not that important. And going to an RG uni doesn't mean you'll do better. He’s an adult, he can choose whatever university he likes.

twelly · 11/02/2021 08:57

Although it is him who has to make the decision I would agree with you op that moving university would be the best move. This year has been a mess and in the long term it would be better to write it off

Sophiesdog2020 · 11/02/2021 09:03

Op

Instead of encouraging him to change uni, maybe encourage him to do a placement or internship(s) in an area that he is interested in and will look good on his CV.

My DS graduated last summer, science degree from a RG (but one rarely mentioned on MN 😂).

He is interested in a niche career in the aviation sector - whilst there are no placements in that role, he did manage to secure a placement year within the safety dept of the company who operate that role. His interest in the role/sector almost certainly helped him get the placement. He had a great year and aimed to apply for the niche role last summer, but Covid stopped that.

He applied for other graduate jobs, and is now 2 months into an analyst role within a different transport sector, doing similar work to his placement year.

Despite initially denying that his placement helped get the job, he had to admit it did, when he learnt of 2 managers who had been graduates at the aviation company.

One specifically told DS (at an introduction meeting) that he was unusual in having relevant experience. DS’s CV definitely stood out, with his placement mentioned in the first paragraph.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 09:09

@twelly

Although it is him who has to make the decision I would agree with you op that moving university would be the best move. This year has been a mess and in the long term it would be better to write it off
This is terrible advice!!

Firstly, you don't know that it's been terrible. Secondly, for many courses first year grades either don't count or form a small proportion the overall grades( and the OPs son may have done brilliantly) so why write this year off?
Thirdly, if he is happy and has performed well why would he want the disruption of moving and an additional year of student finance.

HappyTimeTunnelDinosaur · 11/02/2021 09:10

My dh used to help coach people to apply for grad schemes on behalf of different employers, the University they had been to was far less important (or even of no importance) than other things such as how they came across, the skills they demonstrated etc. It is your son's choice, I think you need to let him go his own way. I would encourage him to look at including a 'sandwich year', since it will give him valuable experience which will enhance his CV no end.

twelly · 11/02/2021 09:14

True we don’t know all the facts but given this year and given the fact his results were better than expected I would advice to restart。

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 09:20

@twelly

True we don’t know all the facts but given this year and given the fact his results were better than expected I would advice to restart。
And are you qualified to give that advice?

It really is dreadful advice- I say that as a qualified careers adviser now working as a lecturer in HE.

twelly · 11/02/2021 09:27

Neither of us know the student concerned , I believe that given the information presented I would advice to restart . All parents want to go the best for their children and given this academic year has been so different now more than ever changing university if there is a place would be the best option.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 09:30

@twelly

Neither of us know the student concerned , I believe that given the information presented I would advice to restart . All parents want to go the best for their children and given this academic year has been so different now more than ever changing university if there is a place would be the best option.
Again, are you qualified to give this advice? Do you work in HE?
twelly · 11/02/2021 09:33

Yes I am qualified to give that advice.

twelly · 11/02/2021 09:34

Of course neither of us know the student concerned so we are both unable to say with any certainty what is best

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 09:42

@twelly

Yes I am qualified to give that advice.
No qualified careers adviser worth their salt would give this advice.... advising someone to restart their entire degree because their parent wants them to do this is terrible advice. Especially when said parent admits her (adult) child is happy where he is.

Given he's over half way through his first year ( and assuming he's on track to pass) then completing this year should be a priority and if he wanted to move then looking into joining the second year somewhere else would he be a far better option. An extra year of finance studying the same topic at first year level isn't a particularly sensible option.

Yes this year has been different but not necessarily awful. There is no guarantee that next year will be much better.

twelly · 11/02/2021 09:53

Our views are different and both are valid, discussion with the student would allow them to decide on the best outcome.

Motnight · 11/02/2021 09:55

No way are you qualified to give this type of advice, twelly. I have trained as a careers adviser and the very idea of suggesting that a young adult takes a course of action simply because a parent advises him to is ridiculous.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 09:58

@twelly

Our views are different and both are valid, discussion with the student would allow them to decide on the best outcome.
But your suggestion involves an unnecessary additional year of study and student finance....

Are you a qualified careers adviser?

I use a similar example as a case study with my students to illustrate that we deal with the clients views and wishes not their parents' especially when they're an adult!

Even if you had a discussion with client- moving into a second year would be far more sensible at this stage.