Tag Archives: university

University Is Too Expensive and a Waste of Time, Say UK Graduates

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BY ASTRID HALL

One in four graduates now regret having gone to university, according to research.

A survey found the most common reasons to rue time spent in further education are paying too much for their degree, wasting their time and making bad choices such as not choosing subject or institution more carefully.

The study of 2,000 graduates also revealed nearly half work in a job where they could have reached the same level through a trainee or apprenticeship scheme.

And although an overwhelming 93 per cent said they enjoyed their experience of freedom away from their parents, nearly half agree their current job is in no way related to their degree.

Recent graduates are in over £18,000 of debt after a three-year course and stuck in an underpaid job unrelated to their degree.

Joe Crossley, Business Development Director, of Qube Learning who commissioned the study, said: “It’s natural for a lot of graduates to finish their degrees expecting to jump on the career ladder almost immediately, but this is often far from the truth.

“Many students feel the pressure to achieve a high grade otherwise they feel they risk being unemployable but when they finally secure a job, their qualification becomes redundant.

“It’s also surprising how few undergraduates are advised on alternative routes to university studies. With the amount of debt now accompanying higher education, other options, like Apprenticeships, need to be made more clearly available to people looking to pursue a chosen career.”

More than four in five agree there is an emphasis on achieving either a 2:1 or first classification with a third admitting they don’t even get asked about their degree in job interviews.

The research found just a fifth were made aware of apprenticeships as an option in place of undergraduate university studies following A Levels, with less than five per cent told about distant or online learning.

One quarter graduated without any qualifications useful to their career, with just under half admitting they could be where they are now without a degree.

The study found a list of degrees that Brits think are a ‘waste of time’ with Fashion, Drama and Media Studies appearing in the top ten.

Nearly two thirds of respondents who graduated with qualifications considered ‘pointless’ admitted their degree didn’t help them to secure their current job.

It was also revealed the university degrees that the nation believe to be the most useful, with 88 per cent agreeing a degree in Medicine beats a degree in Law or Engineering.

However, just under half of those who have studied a degree in Medicine said they could have gotten the same job through an apprenticeship scheme or something similar.

One in five said because of their studies they are now behind either those who did apprenticeships or those who went straight into work.

Two in five said they feel they are underpaid in their current job despite having a degree with less than one in ten using skills developed during their degree on a weekly basis.

One in ten have since changed careers since graduating and are now investing their time in new qualifications.

One in five admits to working in an unpaid role in order to get their current job with more than one in ten never using skills developed during their degree.

Half of respondents said time management was one of their most treasured takeaways from their experience compared to 29 per cent whose most valuable skills were the ones bespoke to their chosen career.

If given the option to go back and do it all again, nearly one quarter of grads would go down an alternative route to university studies such as an apprenticeship, online qualification or learning a trade.

Over half agree their university experience did more for their social life than their education, with nearly one in five leaving university having met their partner.

A sixth of graduates admitted to wasting their time at university and a further one third of respondents said the ability to make new friends was a key skill gained from their experience.

Joe Crossley, from www.qube-learning.co.uk continued: “It’s imperative that people from as young as 16 years old should be made aware of the educational choices that are out there for them. It does not have to be a traditional path of A-Levels and University, there is a huge amount of scope for individuals to learn a trade, through Trainees and Apprenticeships, whilst being educated at the same time.”

TOP TEN MOST ‘POINTLESS’ DEGREES ACCORDING TO RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY QUBE LEARNING

1. Acting

2. Outdoor adventure and environment

3. Office skills

4. Film studies

5. Dance / choreography

6. Drama studies

7. Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies

8. Fashion merchandising

9. Media studies

10. Religious Studies

 

 

Over Three Quarters of the 50 Richest People Under 30 didn’t go to University

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educationUniversity of Life: stats reveal that over three quarters of the 50 richest people under thirty didn’t go to university…

  • Only 24% of the Young Rich List were privately educated.
  • 84% are self-made.
  • Sports stars make up 40% of the Young Rich List.

 

Young, rich, and famous: that’s what everyone wants to be, right? But while we all want to ‘get rich’, there’s no one, clear path to going about it. Some people are born rich, some will work incredibly hard to become rich, while others are just plain lucky. So, is there any secret to it? Does it all depend on what kind of education you had? Is private school necessarily ‘better’ than state school? Should you go to university, or could it actually be a waste of money? Do some professions make you richer than others? Are there any short cuts?

The questions are endless. However, creators of eco classrooms and modular school buildings TG Escapes, decided to analyse the backgrounds of the 50 richest people under thirty, who appear in this year’s Sunday Times Young Rich List, and they made some very interesting discoveries…

Firstly, only 34 out of the 50 (that’s over two thirds) went to state schools, proving that you don’t necessarily have to pay for a ‘better’ education to end up rich. If you have talent and skill, then that will take you far; just look at the likes of footballer Wayne Rooney (6th on the list, worth £96m), singer Ellie Goulding (at number 39, she’s worth £17m) or boxer Amir Khan (worth £18m, at number 36); they all went to state school, but clearly already had an innate talent that shone through.

And an even greater proportion of people (76%), didn’t go to university. Perhaps that’s not too surprising, given the crippling fees it costs these days, but it certainly didn’t do the likes of older, successful entrepreneurs like Sir Alan Sugar or Sir Richard Branson any harm; following in their path are the likes of techpreneur Pete Cashmore, who founded tech blog Mashable (and, at number 5 on the list, is worth a staggering £170m).

What is also inspiring is that 42 of them (84%) are totally self-made, and didn’t inherit family wealth. This can’t be said for the person at the top of the list, 30 year Tom Persson – who’s worth a whopping £672m – because he’s part of the family who own fashion label H&M. But for the majority of sports stars, or musicians, many of whom come from relatively humble backgrounds, they’ve made their wealth on their own, thanks to their skill. Footballer Gareth Bale, for example, amassed his £34m fortune (no 17 on the list) himself, while the four current members of One Direction are all worth £33m (at no 18).

So what are the professions which will make us the richest? Well, 40% of those on the list are in sport, while 37.5% are involved in creative industries such as film (like Emma Watson, no 16 on the list with £35m), music (like Ed Sheeran, no 14 with £45m), or fashion (such as model sisters Cara and Poppy Delevingne (worth £14m between them, at no 49). Two per cent are lottery winners, Nottinghamshire couple Matt and Cassey Topham, who won a £45m Euromillions draw in 2012.

But perhaps more soberingly, only 10% of the people on list work in industry – in electricals, property or cars – such as 28 year old Thomas Mackie, who runs the electrical goods wholesaling company his grandfather started in Kenilworth and has built it up so much that his net worth is now £380m (putting him at no 3 on the list).

‘There are obviously a variety of ways to become rich and successful,’ says Richard Harvey, Managing Director at TG Escapes: ‘Good, hard graft rewards many, and talent will get you far, too. However, it’s a little sad if young people reading this think that the only way to make money is to become a pop star, actor or sportsperson, which couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s worth sticking with an education for as long as you can, which will give you so many more options later in life.’

 

 

Top 10 Unobtainable Dreams For Young People

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“We’ll Never Achieve Our Dreams,” Say Three Quarters of Young BritsMillennial have it hard, that is common knowledge. Tuition fees are higher than ever, houses are too expensive, and, if you are lucky to go to university or buy a home, the debt will be huge. Sadly, it seems that three quarters of young Brits feel like they will never achieve their dreams. It is not true of course. Everyone can and Frost will be publishing lots of finance and work articles to help you achieve your dreams. We want to give people the power to take hold of their own lives. Contact us to let us know what you want us to cover, or how you feel about your life in general. Meanwhile, let us now if you agree with the latest stats below.

 

Having a successful career, going to university and owning a house are seen as ‘fantasies’ for millions of young people, according to new research.

 

Three quarters of Brits aged 16-25 are also unconvinced they’ll ever be able to land a job they love – something which was far more achievable for the previous generation.

 

Eight in 10 young people said they fear other people going for the same positions as them are stronger candidates with better CVs and better experience.

 

One in 10 don’t think they’ll be able to go to university, while owning a house is considered to be completely unobtainable by 40 per cent of respondents.

 

Living debt free, being able to cope without relying on parents for financial support, and earning more than the average British salary of £26,500 are also seen as unattainable.

 

While the study of 1,500 16 to 25 year-olds, conducted by vInspired to mark the end of Volunteers’ Week 2016, also found out 42 per cent consider travelling the world to be a pipedream.

 

Jessica Taplin, CEO of vInspired, the UK’s leading youth volunteering charity, said: “The results highlight the pressures young people face today.

 

“Access to the job market, uncertain financial futures and mental health issues are all problems we see young people come up against first-hand.

 

“However, we believe that there are other ways young people can gain valuable experience and make them more employable despite some challenging economic circumstances.”

 

Many young adults don’t think they’ll ever be able to move to a major city such as London or Manchester due to high living costs, competition for jobs and house prices.

 

A further 15 per cent say they have no hope of ever buying their own car, and 17 per cent say having a family seems unrealistic at the moment.

 

Going to University feels unachievable for 13 per cent of those aged 16 to 25, while 16 per cent don’t feel like anyone would ever want to take a chance of them.

 

When it comes to securing their ideal job, seven in 10 people polled said the competition nowadays is so intense they would need completely new qualifications in order to stand any chance at all of success.

 

Yet 87 per cent of respondents said the high cost of gaining an education is massively impacting their chances of getting the job they’ve always wanted.

 

But three quarters of people polled recognise that doing voluntary work would make them more employable.

 

Perhaps as a result, 77 per cent of respondents are currently volunteering or would consider doing so in the future.

 

Two thirds of Brits aged 16-25 said volunteering could inspire them to pursue a career they may not have otherwise considered.

 

And around 80 per cent of participants think volunteering can teach you things a degree or other postgraduate qualifications might not, thus making them more employable.

 

Two thirds of respondents said voluntary work meant they could “make a difference”, while over 56 per cent said it gives you motivation and half says it makes you more open-minded.

 

Jessica Taplin said: “We know that the skills young people gain when volunteering help increase wellbeing and lead to employability.

 

“So we’re delighted to see from this survey that so many young people really value their volunteering experience.

 

“vInspired is all about supporting young people into volunteering and enabling them to better harness the benefits of this.”

 

Nine in 10 respondents think it is harder now than ever before to standout from other job candidates.

 

TOP 10 UNOBTAINABLE DREAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

1. Travelling the world

2. Owning a house/getting on the property ladder

3. Earning more than the average British salary (£26,500)

4. Being debt free

5. Reaching the top of your career ladder

6. Getting a job you love

7. Not having to borrow additional funds to get by

8. Not having to depend on other people such as parents for financial support

9. Having the opportunity to gain experience in pursuit of your dream job

10. Moving to a major city such as London or Manchester

 

 

University Fees-ability by Josh Edwards

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Another period of A-level results has passed and thousands of students will be heading to University over the next 4 weeks.  But is a degree strictly necessary? For many it isn’t. It wasn’t for me initially, but as my career aspirations altered, a degree became the minimum requirement for my next goal.

universityfees

Three years ago, I decided to end a successful career in retail and become a student, studying Education. I became poor overnight and left behind a lifestyle of exotic holidays, new cars and weekly shopping trips to Topman. So how can university be financially possible for the majority of young people?

This is how I did it. I applied in 2011, just before the Government planned to increase tuition fees. Although the increase in fees would not have necessarily discouraged me, if I wanted to avoid paying up to nine thousand pounds a year I had to bite the bullet and submit my UCAS application.   Knowing my parents would not be able to financially support me, and aware that my maintenance loan would not be enough to live on, I had to work out how to support myself.

Josh Edwards

Luckily, my local Starbucks was recruiting so I decided to attend the day of open interviews. It went well and I was asked to start the following week. Although, somehow I had convinced people that I was a coffee lover, I wasn’t at the time. A great number of awkward coffee tastings followed, but that is another story. I soon realised that Starbucks was a revolving door for students, with many working weekends and between lectures which enabled us to earn extra cash. Throughout my three years at University, I typically worked between 16 and 25 hours a week. Without being able to work part-time, for me, University just would not have been possible.

university

For most, student loans are an inevitable part of the University experience, especially now. Only the very fortunate are able to leave University debt free. Many are put off by the huge sums of money they have to borrow, but I considered it to be a risk free investment. Only a small percentage of the loan is taken from your pay-check based on your salary, and repayment starts when you are earning twenty-one thousand pounds or more a year. If it all goes pete-tong and you never quite meet your earning potential, then you never have to pay the loan back.

I expect thousands of students will be in the same boat I was in three years ago. So if you need some extra money to help you through university, why not check out your local Starbucks, or Costa, or anywhere else that accommodates student hours. As well as helping financially, it’s good for your cv, and is fun.

I am now a graduate, with a degree under my belt, and a more than manageable level of debt. I am on the job trail, and who knows, I might get back to that sun-filled, fun-filled lifestyle, or just head towards a mortgage, or even both. Either way, I have had three years of mind stretching education, and have acquired great coffee making skills which keep me going in between interviews. Life is good.

 

 

Famous People Who Didn’t Go To University

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Zac GoldsmithI have a confession to make. I find the whole snobbish going to university thing stupid. If you want to actually study something or be a doctor, then obviously go and reach your potential, but one of the things I find most stupid about social pressure is that everyone should go to university. At least if they want to be middle class.

Tuition fees are now appallingly expensive, and the most annoying thing I found about the recent BBC class calculator is that they still put going to university and owning a home as an indicator of class. Even though people buying homes they could not afford was one of the factors in the recession, and a recent study said that most students would never be able to pay of the debts they had incurred.

I recently saw an interesting meme on Facebook. It said, “Modern education: creating people who are smart enough to accurately repeat what they are told and follow orders.”

You don’t have to agree with me. I know it is a controversial thing to think. However, have a look at just a few of the famous people who did not go to university.

Apple founder Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College.

TV host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres dropped out of the University of New Orleans after one semester.

The creator of Tumblr David Karp never even graduated from high school.

Walt Disney left school at 16 to join the Army. He couldn’t get in because of his age so he joined the Red Cross and left for Europe.

Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard but later got an honorary degree.

Paul Thomas Anderson dropped out of NYU film school.

Zac Goldsmith MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston did not go to university, instead deciding to travel the world. He told the Financial Times: “I think university is hugely overrated for most people,” he says, insisting that a wide range of good apprenticeships is more useful than three years of light work and heavy drinking. “I would not encourage my children to go to university.”

Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to work full time on Facebook.

Yoko Ono dropped out of Sarah Lawrence College

Woody Allen was thrown out of New York University after one semester and later dropped out of the City College of New York.

James Cameron studied physics at Fullerton College. He dropped out to become a truck driver.

Thomas Edison left school to work on the railroad at the age of 12.

F. Scott Fitzgerald dropped out of Princeton.

Coco Chanel dropped out of school to become a cabaret singer when she was 18.

Whole Foods founder John Mackey dropped out of the University of Texas.

Pablo Picasso dropped out of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

The founder of WordPress Matt Mullenweg dropped out of the University of Houston in 2004.

What do you think? Is going to university important?

Applying to university or college next year? Read these top dos and don’ts

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Applying to university or college next year? Read these top dos and don’ts from UCAS.

 

Applying to university or college next year? Read these top dos and dont’s by Cathy Gilbert, Director of Customer Strategy at UCAS

Do – research your university and degree course choices carefully before applying. For me, that should include going to open days as well as looking at the online information. You’ll spend three or four years studying in higher education, so you should be really passionate about the course content and your chosen place of study.

Do – remember the UCAS application deadlines. The first date on the horizon this year is the 15 October deadline for applying to Oxford and Cambridge, and for courses anywhere in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science. The key deadline for most other courses is 15 January next year. You’ll have to send your application to us by this time to be certain of consideration.

Do – make the most of the help available from UCAS on ucas.com. Working through our Six steps to applying will make the process much easier. You can also watch videos on UCAStv featuring students who have already started and been through big events like Freshers’ Week. If you have a burning question at any stage of the process why not ask our team of experts on Twitter (@ucas_online) and Facebook (/ucasonline)? You’ll get a clear answer back very quickly.

Don’t – forget that some universities and colleges will ask you to sit an admissions test in addition to the standard qualifications. The Admissions tests section of the UCAS website will help you understand some of these and the UCAS bookstore has guides dedicated to many of them.

Don’t – be tempted to submit a copied personal statement or one downloaded from a website. Thankfully, only one percent of applicants did this last year. UCAS is quite clear that personal statements should be an applicant’s own work, although we do advise that parents and teachers check them over. Our computer system has tens of thousands of personal statements on file and similarities will be flagged up to the universities.

Don’t – panic about tuition fees. There is a wealth of information out there to help you understand the costs of higher education – and remember you won’t have to pay anything upfront. You can visit the Student finance section of our website to find out more, or visit Moneysavingexpert’s Students section.

Ten top tips for personal statement success

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Ten top tips for personal statement success, ahead of the 15 January UCAS deadline

With the January 15 deadline fast approaching, UCAS has released these ten top personal statement tips for anyone applying to university or college.

Christmas is a great time to put the finishing touches to the statement, which could be the only piece of written work admissions professionals see before making a decision.
The writing should show applicants at their very best and following these ground rules will get you (or your son or daughter) off to a great start.

1.Express interest in the subject and show real passion
UCAS adviser Ross Sanger said: “My major tip is to really show your ambitions and desires for wanting to do the course. In other words, putting across your passion in as much detail as possible. At the end of the day, you need to be doing something that you really like.”
Beverley Woodhams, Head of Central Recruitment at the University of Greenwich, said: “If you completed an extended project, briefly summarise its focus and what you learned.”
You can show how you have acted on your interest in particular subjects by attending extra-curricular activities or events. Talks at the Royal Society or local university are good examples of where someone has taken their passion beyond the school gates.

2.Go for a strong opening line to grab the reader’s attention
Mr Sanger said: “A punchy opening line will call attention to your application straight away.”
3.Relate outside interests to the course

Karen Martin, Marketing Communications Manager for Admissions and Student Recruitment at the University of Dundee, said: “For example, playing a musical instrument shows sustained commitment and/or the ability to manage your time effectively between juggling school study and music study.”

Ross Sanger adds: “There is an employment section on the application where you can put paid employment down so they can get an idea of whether you have been doing anything towards the course. The statement allows you to elaborate on what you have learnt and particularly why you want to do the course.”

4.Think beyond university
“For courses with a high placement element and a specific career at the end applicants must show a strong knowledge of the role of a professional in that career,” said Ms Martin.

5.Get the basics right
Ms Martin added: “Check your spelling and grammar before submitting the application. Admissions selectors are assessing your ability to write an essay to university standard. Think about your paragraph and sentence structure.”

6.Don’t try to sound too clever
It’s important to use language you are comfortable with so as not to lose the focus of your writing. Ms Martin said: “Try not to go too far and use words you wouldn’t normally choose, to try and sound more ‘academic’. For example, an ‘incomparable orator’ is more naturally described as ‘having an aptitude or interest in public speaking’.”

7.Take time and make it your best work
Applicants’ personal statements help institutions identify suitable candidates, especially in the most competitive courses. Rushing will mean mistakes and not provide you with enough time to get it checked over by your parents or teachers.

8.Don’t leave it until the last minute – remember the 15 January deadline!
The deadline for most courses starting next year is 15 January 2012. While that may still seem like a long way off, it is never too early to start drafting your personal statement.

9.Get a second opinion

“If you want your personal statement to sell your abilities to a university, it is quite nice to get feedback from parents or family members on how they see you and the right words to describe yourself,” said Ross Sanger.

10.Honesty is the best policy
Every personal statement is checked against a library of those previously submitted to UCAS, sample statements, and other sources. Any statement showing a level of similarity of ten per cent or more is reviewed by members of the UCAS Similarity Detection Service Team.

Beverley Woodhams said: “Be honest and enthusiastic. Don’t make exaggerated claims as you could be questioned in some detail at the interview on the things you claim.”

Man-flu: fact or fiction? The Real Truth.

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by registered dietician Nigel Denby

Medical Tests say that very high does of Vitamin C are best avoided as they can cause stomach upsets and kidney stones.

Is there really a strain of flu to which men are more vulnerable? Or, is ‘man-flu’ simply about blokes being less able to tolerate the symptoms of the common cold?

It’s long been a subject of debate, but partners of man-flu sufferers will doubtless be familiar with the inability to cope and function when the dreaded lurgy strikes.

The scientific community is as unsure about the validity of man-flu as the rest of us. In 2009, a study claimed to prove beyond doubt that man-flu was a real phenomenon. However, after closer analysis, it was criticised as being irrelevant because the researchers were looking at mice not humans, and bacterial infections rather than the viral infections which cause flu.

Other researchers from Cambridge University suggested in 2010 that flu symptoms could be more common and virulent in men than women because of a reduced male immune system. This theory was backed up by another study from the University of Queensland which in 2011 reported that in order to ensure the survival of the species, women’s immune systems were more robust than men’s, making men more susceptible to flu. However, despite these theories, according to the Office for National Statistics, women take twice as many sick days than men. So, the jury is clearly still out.

With winter fast approaching, man-flu, or indeed any other type, is on the horizon. So what can you do to prevent it or speed up recovery if you’re unlucky enough to be struck down?

COLDS versus
Comes on gradually
Sneezing, blocked up nose
Mild temperature changes
Lasts up to a week
3-4 day recovery period
Does not lead to serious complications

FLU
Strikes suddenly
Impossible to get out of bed
Fevers, chills, aching muscles, fatigue, headaches, sore throat
Can last for up to 10 days
2-3 week recovery period
Can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia

The power of the immune system Flu and colds are caused by viruses. This means antibiotics are ineffective when it comes to treating them. A strong immune system is the cornerstone of warding off viral infections and the best ways to keep this in tip top condition are:
Feed it the nutrients it needs

Support the immune system year round with probiotics like Actimel, targeting the body’s natural defences

Limit undue strain on the immune system from stress, late nights, smoking, excessive alcohol and poor hygiene

Nutrition
Garlic contains allicin which is believed to boost immunity

Omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish and flax seeds helps cells in the respiratory system fight infection

Vitamin A is found in yellow and orange vegetables like sweet potatoes, peppers and carrots
Lean meats and particularly offal like liver or kidneys contain nucleotides needed for the repair of cells and for the production of immune cells

Zinc found in shell fish and whole grain cereals is needed for a robust immune system
Support

Your digestive system plays a vital role in your body’s natural defences. Up to 70% of your immune system is thought to be controlled by the gut and the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut is an important factor for immunity

A daily probiotic, designed to support your body’s natural defences is an easy, effective way to stay in tip top condition throughout the winter

Poor personal hygiene means your immune system is bombarded with harmful germs, bacteria and viruses, and less able to fight off cold and flu viruses when they come along

Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of attacks on your immune system, especially after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing and before and after preparing food

Speeding up recovery

No matter how well you look after your immune system, you’re
likely to pick up a cold or flu. Here are some tips for getting rid of
a cold sooner:

Garlic is a proven antibacterial and decongestant, add
garlic to soups, pasta sauces and casseroles

Thyme and eucalyptus oils may help to clear congestion,
add drops to boiling water and inhale

Ginger and chilies are stimulating spices which can act as
decongestants

Echinacea is thought to stimulate the immune system

Zinc lozenges may also help to halt a cold, possibly by
destroying the virus

Photo by Sarihuella