What's the point of higher education?

[Nick]

I see your point, but my argument was not about knowledge. Read, listen, think, write, talk, argue. I spent years in the mists of Victorian literature.I work in Marketing.Same stuff: Read, listen, think, write, talk, argue

[Bar Wench]

Not the point. You think it worthwhile.

The blasted Govt have made it pricey.

You wanna do OU. Yup. They spread the credits over years for that reason. Bastard govt pay f*ck all

I do think it's worthwhile! I just haven't got the money to do it!

[Nick]

What do you wanna do? (serious)

ANd btw Uncle, I used to teach on summer schools which were amazingly intense and huge fun, if knackering. A whole university term in a week!

[Uncle Mort]

Read, listen, think, write, talk, argue

I do. What percentage of modern graduates do? I fear the courses have been devalued. 

[Bar Wench]

What do you wanna do? (serious)

English Literature, to finish off my degree. Then a year's PGCSE conversion.

[Nick]

Tell the truth, they have. Mrs Nick works at a "new"university and despairs.

But:

GCSE and A levels are easier
"Students" generally have to work now to fund their "education"
Schools are so dumbed down under NuLabou that they have been spoonfed for years and are shocked at the idea of reading books!
Her students often work all night in some Mac drive in cos their parents are too poor to pay the money or debts.

Madness

[Nick]

What do you wanna do? (serious)

English Literature, to finish off my degree. Then a year's PGCSE conversion.

My old OU Department. What they charging now?

[Bar Wench]

£610 per "unit".

I'd get credit for my completed first year which would cut down the total required but it is still a step too far at the moment. But if other stuff works out I maybe able to afford it in a couple of years.

[Pastis]

I was researching becoming a tourist guide for a little extra dosh and I've relevant experience...
The training now costs £3.8K 

[Nick]

 

Bastard government.

1. Pay for HE (via tax)
2. Pay it back (via loans+interest)
3. Get parents to payit back out of taxed income
3 Contibute to economy (doctors etc)
4.Earn more and pay more tax ( )
5. Werk till you are 70
6. Meanwhile we (Gordo etc. shall retire and jet around the world)

BASTARDS x 50

[Nick]

Read, listen, think, write, talk, argue

I do. What percentage of modern graduates do? I fear the courses have been devalued. 

Be precise. Some have, not all have.

[Uncle Mort]

Sorry.

I fear that some of the courses have been devalued.

Probably caused by government interferring and set targets.

[Bar Wench]

I think that an awful lot of the "non-vocational" courses have been devalued there is reason to that arguement. However, I think a lot of the problem is a lack of guidance at the choice stage. I know that for me there was never really an alternative to "go to university". I think that a lot of kids would be far better off with a plumbing city and guilds or something like that. Or alternatively spend the three/four years you would at university doing unpaid work experience somewhere. For instance, if I had spent three years as a runner at the bbc, or tea maker at a paper I think it would have made far more sense career wise then turning out another english graduate. I certainly intend to make my children aware that there are options besides university.

[Uncle Mort]

I certainly intend to make my children aware that there are options besides university.

So will I, if only to save me some money!

[Bar Wench]

I certainly intend to make my children aware that there are options besides university.

So will I, if only to save me some money!

  There is of course that. But more than that I don't necessarily feel that a degree is necessary. I was made to feel, and still am by Mr Wench's family, that if you don't have a degree you are an brainless faliure. I don't think that is the case. And really, like you, don't often see the point in nonvocational degrees anymore.