Guest X-QUORK Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 And all the socialists can offer is dole and minimum wage. Riiight. And the Friedman Dream brings milk and honey to those who work hard. Except it doesn't, because unfettered greed has destroyed the world economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPC001 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Im doing a vocational course (with a paid apprenticeship alongside it) and making the most of the 0% interest rate in student loans...I figure since I have 4-5 years experience in my field, the degree (and industry certification within it) will be more useful to me than someone who went through continous education. Freelancing isn't producing any results any more so I don't see another route at the moment. I'm not just providing for myself either, I have a household to feed\clothe and maintain a roof over our heads. Of course since I currently count on the YUE stats, I'll be off them in a few months, handy for the headlines no doubt.. Edited June 24, 2009 by HPC001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Parry Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Im doing a vocational course (with a paid apprenticeship alongside it) and making the most of the 0% interest rate in student loans...I figure since I have 4-5 years experience in my field, the degree (and industry certification within it) will be more useful to me than someone who went through continous education. Freelancing isn't producing any results any more so I don't see another route at the moment. I'm not just providing for myself either, I have a household to feed\clothe and maintain a roof over our heads. Good for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPC001 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Good for you. It does bother me that so many people piled on the degree bandwagon *after* fees were introduced, and the doublespeak about it being more accessible. Although the subsidized loans cover living costs as well so for a portion its an easy doss-around for 3 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonkers Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 It does bother me that so many people piled on the degree bandwagon *after* fees were introduced, and the doublespeak about it being more accessible. Although the subsidized loans cover living costs as well so for a portion its an easy doss-around for 3 years... Does the student loan company make a profit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPC001 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Does the student loan company make a profit? I don't think they do at the moment, the interest even at the previous rate of 4.8% probably doesn't cover the costs of their admin etc. Almost certainly requires some additional government funding, especially given the repayment lag (£15k is the threshold when deductions from pay begin and only at 9%). Edited June 24, 2009 by HPC001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopGun Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 (edited) Please don't totally discourage the young from education especially during an economic bust. I did my degree between 92 and 95 I think it was and did quite well afterwards. Much hard work mind you. Not easy.Do encourage them to do relevant and useful/vocational stuff though. Thanks Not at all. The kid with straight As across the board, or the supremely gifted should be encouraged to go to University. Those who struggle to get Es in their A-Levels, should maybe be encouraged to take another path. What they did 25 years ago basically. At the moment, anyone has a 'right' to go to a University regardless of ability. This is wrong. University should be the privilege of those who are clever enough. Getting rid of the clearing system would be a start. Not enough grades or points? Try again next year, or take a more vocational route. Students should be state investments for the future, not (through no fault of their own) delusional cash cows. Edited June 25, 2009 by PopGun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Parry Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Not at all.The kid with straight As across the board, or the supremely gifted should be encouraged to go to University. Those who struggle to get Es in their A-Levels, should maybe be encouraged to take another path. What they did 25 years ago basically. At the moment, anyone has a 'right' to go to a University regardless of ability. This is wrong. University should be the privilege of those who are clever enough. Getting rid of the clearing system would be a start. Not enough grades or points? Try again next year, or take a more vocational route. Students should be state investments for the future, not (through no fault of their own) delusional cash cows. I agree with this a bit. I agree with the last sentence entirely. I did hopelessly at A-Levels, because I left home at 16 basically. I did go to University though, did a relatively vocational degree, got a 2:1 and have always been in the industry related to that degree. Did very well. The distinction between Universities and Polytechnics was needlessly erased. I'd encourage those who are not academically minded to go down the NVQ route. My NVQ Level 4 I treasure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cells Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Not at all.The kid with straight As across the board, or the supremely gifted should be encouraged to go to University. Those who struggle to get Es in their A-Levels, should maybe be encouraged to take another path. What they did 25 years ago basically. At the moment, anyone has a 'right' to go to a University regardless of ability. This is wrong. University should be the privilege of those who are clever enough. Getting rid of the clearing system would be a start. Not enough grades or points? Try again next year, or take a more vocational route. Students should be state investments for the future, not (through no fault of their own) delusional cash cows. I knew someone who barely got an E in one a-level and failed the other two. He got into Herefordshire to do automotive engineering or some such. I presume it was more about fixing cars than doing mathematics, which is what “real†engineering degrees mostly consist of. There should be a limit of BBB at a-levels before you can go to university. Learn to walk before you run. However if they insisted on BBB average then 75% of those going today would not get in. Good for us but the universities would cry, “your screwing our kidsâ€, read “we would have to close†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Parry Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I knew someone who barely got an E in one a-level and failed the other two.He got into Herefordshire to do automotive engineering or some such. I presume it was more about fixing cars than doing mathematics, which is what “real†engineering degrees mostly consist of. There should be a limit of BBB at a-levels before you can go to university. Learn to walk before you run. However if they insisted on BBB average then 75% of those going today would not get in. Good for us but the universities would cry, “your screwing our kidsâ€, read “we would have to close†Desperately needs to go back to: 1. Universities - purely academic, bachelors and master's, Ph.D's. 2. Polytechnics - vocationally academic, HND's and vocational degrees. 3. Vocational colleges - purely vocational, NVQ's and HNC's, day release, night school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARIMA Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Desperately needs to go back to:1. Universities - purely academic, bachelors and master's, Ph.D's. 2. Polytechnics - vocationally academic, HND's and vocational degrees. 3. Vocational colleges - purely vocational, NVQ's and HNC's, day release, night school. You're absolutely right. Would remove a lot of the current smoke and mirrors from the education process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPC001 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I'd also suggest changing the crooked funding system while we're at it...this crap about assessing income outside of your own household, and pre-tax, is a crock of ****. Actually sod that, get rid of means-testing and make it all free again. The previous generation got on fine and the government's hoovering up even more money now, so I don't see any need for fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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