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Debate: is a university degree worth having?

7 July 2009

Nowadays more and more people are heading off to university to get a degree. But is it a degree really worth having?

A university degree takes at least three years, and can leave students with a mountain of debt.

For some these will be the best years of their lives and will lead to a good career. But is a university education for everyone, and are we putting too much pressure on young people to get a degree?

  • Is there too much of a focus on academic study?
  • Should we be investing more in vocational training?
  • Are there too many people with degrees?
  • Does a degree prepare you for life and work?

What is your view on this? Have your say, and debate the issue here on PCS comment, and a selection of the comments will be published in View, the monthly magazine for PCS members.

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  1. is university degree worth having

    13 August 2009

    was any attempt made to differentiate between (mickey mouse degrees) and genuine academic degrees when the census was taken, also what percentage of academic to other degrees are considered when evaluating those getting employment after getting their degrees when producing statistics, i believe there is something to be gained by differentiating so that future college applicants get a better idea of their chances of employment when they have got their degree.

    william williams
    University degree

    1 August 2009

    Yes, if you can get credits for work you have done outside the education system. Not everyone got the chance to go to University from school and for many people the next chance comes when your family is grown up. You might have worked at various jobs and developed skills that someone straight from school would not have (obviously!). Credit should be given for these. Trying to get support to do a degree whilst at work isn't easy - not all Line Managers are supportive and for Admin staff especially we are under a great deal of pressure to keep the Business running even though colleagues are leaving and not being replaced. Applications are being turned away by Senior Managers because there are not enough staff to cover absence.

    Dot Holden
    Education has it's own worth

    30 July 2009

    The idea that education exists simply to equip people for the job market shows how far capitalist attitudes have sunk in our society. Work-related education is obviously necessary but all the rest of it - learning a language or the history of art, say, or a course in cosmology or psychology - not only enriches the life of the individual but also benefits society as a whole. Education has always been the friend of the Trade Unionist and of working people in general - that's why previous generations of Trade Unionists put such a premium on it and why we push the learning agenda as a movement today. I'd encourage anyone who's interested in a subject to consider a short course, diploma, degree or whatever - part-time or when they retire - if only for their own enjoyment and to broaden their mind. It's not all about getting ahead in the rat race.

    Dave Savage
    Is a University Degree Worth Having?

    18 July 2009

    Yes it is as it seems to open more doors if you are a graduate. I don't have a degree, but I do have a lot of work experience in my field and surely that should count for something rather than having a degree. Having a degree does not give you the necessary social skills that you need in order to interact with your colleagues and be able to do your job! Does that mean that having a degree makes you better than me, I chose to go to work and earn money, rather than go to university; why should I now be punished for wanting to earn money and start a pension scheme earlier than a student!! It's not fair - employers should be looking for the BEST person for the job, not be dazzled by a diploma!!

    Rosemary Cattell
    Degree?

    8 July 2009

    A straight answer is YES, it is worth having as it is a decent qualification to have, and is better than no qualification. In the 21st century I think we need degrees in sciences, technical subjects, engineering, but we must still have the Arts subjects as well. Not everyone can get into a University, but we still have other providers of further education such as other types of colleges and Polytechnics (are Polys still operating?) and of course the OU. Degrees can also be obtained by day and evening classes. Sadly I suspect that our governments are trying to discourage the number of students going to University. Although there is a huge range of subjects that can now be studied I also suspect that the government wishes to see that reduced as it probably views a lot of them with displeasure. They probably want to seeing going to Uni as being more "elitist" again, and they will put obstacles in the way to weed out the numbers. Heaven forbid that we go back to the bad old days when only the rich and the privileged went 'up' to Oxbridge. If we ever get a proper socialist state then any suitably qualified intelligent person, whatever their background, should be allowed to obtain a degree.

    Lin Black
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