How do we make degrees worth something again?

[Shevek]

I would be all in favour of renaming the former Polytechnics back into Polytechnics.

Then it would be clearer that if you want to improve your employment prospects in some specific way you go to a Poly, and if you want to be an academic you go to a Uni.

But both would still be able to offer degree level qualifications.

If the only people going to uni were gonna be academics there would be about 3 people going to uni

 

[weltweit]

Great. I'm just about to gain my degree, and this thread about how devalued they are comes along.

Now I know how A Level students feel.

I think if you read the thread you will see that that is not how it has developed.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Not the sole purpose no.

But study all the way to degree and then find your can't get a job seems a bit of a shame.

Only if employment is the only reason you took your degree.

 

[Idaho]

perhaps if you followed what's been going on in higher education for the past twenty years i might have more appreciation for your opinion

Perhaps if you didn't smell of wee, I might have more appreciation for your opinion.

 

[ViolentPanda]

An academic degree should be worth nothing more than the value of having the opportunity to study something you are interested in for three years.

If the working world wants people to have "qualifications" then that shouldn't be mixed up with this academic discipline.

^^^What the jumped-up bookie said.

 

[weltweit]

^^^What the jumped-up bookie said.

I don't have problems with what kabbes wrote in the bit you quoted, except that I don't see why a polytechnic degree course which is rigorous enough should not also be called a degree.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I don't have problems with what kabbes wrote in the bit you quoted, except that I don't see why a polytechnic degree course which is rigorous enough should not also be called a degree.

I think he's merely making a distinction between "qualifications" (as specific markers of professional attainment in specific sub-fields of a discipline/subject/profession) and a "degree" which is (generally) a broadly-ranging marker of a particular level of knowledge across a discipline. For example, you might have a B.Eng in "Engineering", but take a qualification in "CNC tool operation".

 

[weltweit]

I think he's merely making a distinction between "qualifications" (as specific markers of professional attainment in specific sub-fields of a discipline/subject/profession) and a "degree" which is (generally) a broadly-ranging marker of a particular level of knowledge across a discipline. For example, you might have a B.Eng in "Engineering", but take a qualification in "CNC tool operation".

OK.

So, broadly speaking I did "Business & Engineering" as a four year sandwich BA Hons degree, (third year in relevant paid employment).

How would you classify that?

 

[sim667]

But would it not make more sense for people to do such jobs *before* they start uni?

thats what i said