Oxbridge schmoxbridge?

[Randomword6]

I'm just wondering, my kids all rejected the idea of Oxbridge as dated and elitist, and I didn't go. It was thought back in the day that going to either was a guarantee of a good career, but is this true now? Does it depend on the subject?

The fact that most of the present government went there put my youngest off applying!

My son went, first person in our family to go to University. He’s 30 and now earns just over £300k. He studied maths and once working he was very focussed on becoming professionally qualified, quickly. He is very ambitious and loves his job.

They are not likely to harm your career and I loved the collegiate system - got to try rowing, because every college had a boat club, not just one university one; made for very easy socialising; heavily subsidised food and accommodation right in the centre of otherwise expensive cities; a huge amount going on, in every college and also university-wide; wealthy colleges make for more generous financial help for less well of students; I loved the tutorial system (far more time and attention given to you than most universities offer). Anyone dismissing them out of hand is being silly, imvho.

@Lulibee do you kind explaining what your son went on to do? My son wants to study maths but is not sure what it can lead to work wise. He keeps thinking of medicine as an alternative as we understand that career path more, but he loves maths, it would be great if I can tell him there are good maths based jobs to aim for. Thank you!

Would also be interested in your Ds route @Lulibee.

My dn graduated from Cambridge fairly recently. Now on a law training contract sponsored by big international firm. When 2 years post qualified she'll be earning £150k - at 25! Amazing from her background and I honestly don't know whether this would have been possible without an Oxbridge education. There were so many amazing opportunities at Cambridge and lots of financial support. She hasn't spent a penny of her student loan. However, she is a real go getter, took up all of the opportunities and was focused.

Neither DH nor I were encouraged to apply. DH has a PhD so is nobody's fool. When our DDs were interested in applying, we wanted them to have the chances that we didn't get. One got in, the other didn't. The one who went there is still there studying for a PhD. She has had a fantastic time and had opportunities that we never dreamed of. Most of the government studied PPE; hardly any of them have held down a "normal" job since uni, which is possibly why we are in the mess we are. My DDs are scientists and neither has any ambition to enter politics.

I’ll still invite in for interview anyone from the UK with an undergraduate degree from Oxbridge in a “normal” subject, and there’s no other institution that I’d do that for. It still takes a lot of the very best students at age and then pushes them hard to become better.

Overseas students who may have got their place on the ability to pay large fees don’t get such an easy pass, but still rank higher than similar from elsewhere.

My dn graduated from Cambridge fairly recently. Now on a law training contract sponsored by big international firm. When 2 years post qualified she'll be earning £150k - at 25! Amazing from her background and I honestly don't know whether this would have been possible without an Oxbridge education.

@Turmerictolly this was me - training contract at a big firm, salary of £150k+ in my mid-twenties. I definitely didn't go to Oxbridge! I went to a bog-standard uni abroad (in my home country) that I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have heard of. Sounds like your DN is very bright but Oxbridge isn't the only way.

Are you sure that that’s right? I don’t believe that it is.

It’s sad though for your youngest to aim lower on such a flimsy reason. Where are they going instead?

No longer a guarantee (particularly because of the move to blind recruitment by the big recruiters) but don't imagine it would be a hindrance (with some exceptions). I would imagine other unis will have similar success in their specialities eg LSE, UCL, Imperial, Warwick, StA etc.

Nothing guarantees a good career. Some Universities and courses open doors but you still need put the work in when you're there.

The plus of Oxford and Cambridge is that they are internationally recognised. And known to be difficult to get into.

Mmm, I wouldn't say not wanting to go to Oxbridge is "aiming lower".

Of course it is. Unless they are going for Harvard or Yale then it’s going to be a lower level institution than Oxbridge.

Not necessarily lie, but definitely lower.

It’s hilarious when people waft about with ‘oh my DD/S didn’t want to go there because it’s too posh etc etc’ because everyone just assumes they wouldn’t have had a chance academically anyway and are talking out their arses. It’s pathetic and sad.

Its ridiculous to suggest the oxbridge academic experience isn’t amazing. Some kids can’t handle the workload and intensity in which case it isn’t for them. But an oxbridge degree is a world renowned and respected marker of someone capable of higher level learning and just puts them in a different category.

Not to say there aren’t highly intelligent brilliant people who studied elsewhere obviously but Oxbridge are two amazing centres of learning and dismissing them is embarrassing for you OP.

Mmm, I wouldn't say not wanting to go to Oxbridge is "aiming lower".

Of course it is!

Isn't St Andrews higher in the league tables now?

Dd was always told to consider Oxbridge (got more than the grades of their typical offer) but they didn’t do the course she wanted. She looked at most similar and didn’t like the modules. She also wanted other things in the Uni experience - for instance, a more lively city and one she could get to the sea (we live in a tiny hamlet, miles from the coast). Since she’d be ‘paying’ for university, she aimed for the best overall experience. Dd only put 2 choices down on the UCAS form as she wasn’t prepared to accept less (neither were Oxbridge).

She got the exact place she wanted, had a great time (bar pandemic), did really well, and now has a very good job she is well suited for.

It’s only aiming lower if you actually want to go in the first place.

Isn't St Andrews higher in the league tables

There are lots of 'league' tables, taking into account various aspects of different universities.

What really matters is how graduates are perceived by future employers or graduate schools. Graduates from Oxbridge, Imperial, Harvard, MIT etc do very well indeed. Employers know how tough it is to get a place and do well at these institutions.

I went to Cam about 10 years ago - my friends from then are a mix of well paid “career” jobs, lots of teachers, some still in academics and some living more creative lives (all did arts subjects, granted these ones tend to have other sources of money). Basically it’s a mix, just like anywhere else!

No.

That’s a very narrow minded view - there’s more to Oxbridge than government ministers.

She also wanted other things in the Uni experience - for instance, a more lively city and one she could get to the sea (we live in a tiny hamlet, miles from the coast). Since she’d be ‘paying’ for university, she aimed for the best overall experience.

Many students prefer to spend the huge tuition fees on getting the best academic experience and job prospects.

If you are good enough then go to the University with the best reputation, in which ever field you are studying. Some of the universities have a appalling reputation, if you do go to Uni go to a good one.

She did (as evidenced by my post).

I have an Oxbridge degree and it has definitely opened doors in my career.