Third Level Education.

Sergeant

The work was intense, and deadlines needed to be met, especially in the new economic realities of the Irish republic. I hopped into my car, and drove past the dwindling group of motley protestors hanging around outside the Central Bank. Sharp left, and eventually found myself in Wexford Street.

There was a fella with his todger out attempting to seduce a girl who had - obviously - taken too much alcohol. Another hanging over a railing like a French King about to meet his fate. A steady stream of people trying to enter a kebab shop. Most looking like extras from a cheap zombie movie. Extra flesh and glassy eyes.

Is free third-level education a complete and utter farce?

The Scientician

Is your question in any way related to the previous paragraphs of prose?

TheyKnowMyIP

I saw enough cheating by students. The faculty did not uphold the allegations because of the hassle involved. Cheating bastards. Yes, I believe standards are at an all time low. This is evidenced by the serious slippage on the prestigious THE rakings table. We hold a very poor reputation for Research world wide. This is the primary and most important metric of any university, yet Ireland falls down big time in this Arena. Huge problem imo.

TheyKnowMyIP

Our third level system is similar to the second level system in that the ideas behind the questions isn't that important, it's more a case of "learning off" by rote and plonking the ansewers down is acceptable, not to actually question the assumptions behind the answers to those questions.

The way Education is actually setup in this country at both levels, serves to undermine our research ability. Irish people are just too comfortable with learn by rote. This is the real reason for the problems. You can't produce world class research with a third rate educational system.

Not to mention passing wasters who would not have a degree had they enrolled 10-15 years ago. Some serious tossers exist in Irish third level Education.

Pherekydes

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

This is evidenced by the serious slippage on the prestigious THE rakings table.

C'mon, not everyone is doing Horticulture.

I availed of "free" third level education. It cost me more than 3 grand in fees. Sorry, registration fees. Ha.

Oranage2

Pherekydes wrote: »

C'mon, not everyone is doing Horticulture.

I availed of "free" third level education. It cost me more than 3 grand in fees. Sorry, registration fees. Ha.

Bit of exaggeration no when Reg fees are usally half that?

And 1500e / 52 weeks works out at less than 30 euro/weeks or what students call a monday night.

pragmatic1

Completed a science degree last year. Found it highly competitive. Hours werent far of those off the normal working week. When practical write ups and assignments are factored in, the hours were well over the normal working week. The job I'm in now is infinitely more easy than my last year at college.

Pherekydes

Oranage2 wrote: »

Bit of exaggeration no when Reg fees are usally half that?

And 1500e / 52 weeks works out at less than 30 euro/weeks or what students call a monday night.

Registration was 800-something per year. Multiply by 3 or 4.

Spending €30/wk in college on drink is not part of the syllabus. You don't have to go out and get locked every week. I didn't.

Dravokivich

Oranage2 wrote: »

Bit of exaggeration no when Reg fees are usally half that?

And 1500e / 52 weeks works out at less than 30 euro/weeks or what students call a monday night.

But it's to be paid in 1 lump sum isn't it?

What's the point on breaking it down to the equivalent in weekly supplements?

MagicMarker

College doesn't appeal to me, there isn't really anything that draws me to it!

I started a part time degree course last year in an attempt ''better myself'' but after 1 year I didn't particularly enjoy it and didn't see any point in continuing on if it wasn't something I enjoyed doing.

FatherLen

free education my bollocks!
i paid 2038 euro THIS year for registration alone. that is probably more than half the idiots complaining paid in their full term. that's not counting the other years where it was always at least 1000 euro. it really pisses me off when people complain about this.

Spunge

woot, finished last semester, enjoy your 2k registration mofos.

Trader1991

Just because people are drinking and partying more doesn't mean the standard of education is falling.
Im doing a business(economics and finance) degree in UL and there is regular assignments, presentations, and tutorials.!
Its easy to say, but not so much to do.

foxyboxer

When I'm on my deathbed, I'll look back at the 4 years of university at the turn of the century as the biggest load of bollocks from my years of bolloxology.

Killer Pigeon

OP, you observed a very specific type of college student, they're called "Arts" students. Be kind to them, they deserve your care and attention.

/trollface.

Alter-Ego

Where can I avail of this "free" third level education you speak of?

jimthemental

Jesus, you could just have been writing about a normal saturday night. College students do not get dole and where possible work part time. It's their own money not yours and to be honest the registration fees should compensate for their cost to educate if the universities weren't squandering a pile of money on stupidity like the president's house in UL.

Saila

oh look, an original topic

Fishooks12

Ah student bashing....

I presume the OP has never seen a Saturday night in any town in Ireland either, or does he think only students drink?

bnt

Sergeant wrote: »

Is free third-level education a complete and utter farce?

Non-sequitur. Apart from the fact that it's not free, as already pointed out, how do you know what letters those protesters have behind their names? There's a class of "professional protester" who turns up at these things, regardless of what it's actually about, cheapening the whole thing (as the OP saw).

If you're worried about the value of your education, don't do Arts. Do something that uses Maths in some way: Science, Engineering, Commerce etc. This is not an anti-Arts statement: the world needs Arts graduates, it just doesn't need so many of them. UCD alone cranks out several thousand a year; where do they all find work?

listermint

Lets stop people spending money in the city, its the only way to get the economy back on track...........


:rolleyes:

jimthemental

listermint wrote: »

Lets stop people spending money in the city, its the only way to get the economy back on track...........


:rolleyes:

Ah yes, I've taken to that. I also feel banks are a thing of the past so I keep all of my money in a sock.

Pherekydes

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

OP, you observed a very specific type of college student, they're called "Arts" students. Be kind to them, they deserve your care and attention.

Jeez, it doesn't take long until the 'A' word is used in vain. :rolleyes:

bnt wrote: »

If you're worried about the value of your education, don't do Arts. Do something that uses Maths in some way: Science, Engineering, Commerce etc.

You can get a B.A. (Comm) or do Maths, Maths Studies or Statistics through Arts these days.

stovelid

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

Our third level system is similar to the second level system in that the ideas behind the questions isn't that important, it's more a case of "learning off" by rote and plonking the ansewers down is acceptable, not to actually question the assumptions behind the answers to those questions.
.

You failed your degree didn't you?

Killer Pigeon

Pherekydes wrote: »

Jeez, it doesn't take long until the 'A' word is used in vain. :rolleyes:

Would you rather I wrote *rts instead?

Pherekydes wrote: »

You can get a B.A. (Comm) or do Maths, Maths Studies or Statistics through Arts these days.

B.Sc. > B.A.

Mr Trade In

Is free third-level education a complete and utter farce?

Yeah I suppose so as it doesn't fcuking exist, student Levey which is usually squandered on Sh1te all, Books cost money,travel expenses, clothes, laptop,a4 writing pads,pens printing costs, field trips etc, and I am not including rent or money for nights out in this but Jesus H Christ feck off with this notion of free education.

mackg

My free 3rd level education:

Final Year of a science degree have worked all along up until this year, had to give up my job at the end of last year to go on work placement. This year I have been given a grant of €3000, my registration cost €2000 that leaves me with €1000 to support myself for ~8 months. That doesn't really work does it considering that my rent costs that in 4.

If you brought in tuition fees the number of people going to college and getting qualifications would plummet and the number of people trying to find jobs in sectors where there aren't enough to go around now would increase, that's retarded.

Bit of exaggeration no when Reg fees are usally half that?

And 1500e / 52 weeks works out at less than 30 euro/weeks or what students call a monday night

that's just wrong.

The work was intense, and deadlines needed to be met, especially in the new economic realities of the Irish republic. I hopped into my car, and drove past the dwindling group of motley protestors hanging around outside the Central Bank. Sharp left, and eventually found myself in Wexford Street.

There was a fella with his todger out attempting to seduce a girl who had - obviously - taken too much alcohol. Another hanging over a railing like a French King about to meet his fate. A steady stream of people trying to enter a kebab shop. Most looking like extras from a cheap zombie movie. Extra flesh and glassy eyes.

Is free third-level education a complete and utter farce?

That's just stupid.

Oranage2

mackg wrote: »

My free 3rd level education:

Final Year of a science degree have worked all along up until this year, had to give up my job at the end of last year to go on work placement. This year I have been given a grant of €3000, my registration cost €2000 that leaves me with €1000 to support myself for ~8 months. That doesn't really work does it considering that my rent costs that in 4.

If you brought in tuition fees the number of people going to college and getting qualifications would plummet and the number of people trying to find jobs in sectors where there aren't enough to go around now would increase, that's retarded.



that's just wrong.



That's just stupid.

Boo hoo hoo - You could have taken a year out and saved instead of crying to tax payers like me to pay for your education, housing and food - I'm not your parents you know!


And as for 2k, well that works out at about 38e, so a monday night and a takeway -

mackg

Oranage2 wrote: »

Boo hoo hoo - You could have taken a year out and saved instead of crying to tax payers like me to pay for your education, housing and food - I'm not your parents you know!


And as for 2k, well that works out at about 38e, so a monday night and a takeway -

A year out and saved what the dole and cost you the taxpayer even more money, when I graduate I'll have that grant payed back in a year or two.

Oranage2

mackg wrote: »

A year out and saved what?

Took a year out of college and saved money in you job!


I've highlighted the important parts so you dont have to.

bnt

mackg wrote: »

My free 3rd level education:

Final Year of a science degree have worked all along up until this year, had to give up my job at the end of last year to go on work placement. This year I have been given a grant of €3000, my registration cost €2000 that leaves me with €1000 to support myself for ~8 months. That doesn't really work does it considering that my rent costs that in 4.

If you got the grant from a county council (the usual way), you'll get that €2000 back. That's what happened to me a couple of years ago when I was late in applying: UCD sent me a cheque for the refund.

mackg

Oranage2 wrote: »

Took a year out of college and saved money in you job!


I've highlighted the important parts so you dont have to.

I had to quit my job because of college, I had to work full time in a work placement at the end of last year so I could not work the minimum hours in my part time job so I had to leave.

Pherekydes

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

B.Sc. > B.A.

You forgot to write FACT. :rolleyes:

Oranage2

mackg wrote: »

I had to quit my job because of college, I had to work full time in a work placement at the end of last year so I could not work the minimum hours in my part time job so I had to leave.

Are you trolling me?

For the third time -

You could have taking a year out of college whilst keeping your job, you could have saved money over the year (money you earned from your job) and returned to college the following year - Instead you cry over the internet that fees are too high - The real world is going to be cruel to you!

harrythehat

Going back to the OP, do you think if students had to pay fees they wouldn't get drunk and go out on weeknights? Because that isn't how it works in the UK?

Saila

Mr Trade In wrote: »

Is free third-level education a complete and utter farce?

Yeah I suppose so as it doesn't fcuking exist, student Levey which is usually squandered on Sh1te all, Books cost money,travel expenses, clothes, laptop,a4 writing pads,pens printing costs, field trips etc, and I am not including rent or money for nights out in this but Jesus H Christ feck off with this notion of free education.

it was all going so well till you mentioned this

mackg

Oranage2 wrote: »

Are you trolling me?

For the third time -

You could have taking a year out of college whilst keeping your job, you could have saved money over the year (money you earned from your job) and returned to college the following year - Instead you cry over the internet that fees are too high - The real world is going to be cruel to you!

PART TIME JOB- I earned less than the dole there, and no the real world won't be a problem even on the dole I could live comfortably as I could with a full time job I don't need to be rich but food on the table and a roof over my head is a necessity. Crying over the internet? I was making the point that students aren't rich like people seem to think, a lot of students are on very meagre incomes. Also I never said fees were too high or that I wanted more money you put those words in my mouth. Are you trolling me would be a more pertinent question?

Turtyturd

Oranage2 wrote: »

Took a year out of college and saved money in you job!


I've highlighted the important parts so you dont have to.

You didn't highlight that bit could you explain it?

Fishooks12

mackg wrote: »

PART TIME JOB- I earned less than the dole there, and no the real world won't be a problem even on the dole I could live comfortably as I could with a full time job I don't need to be rich but food on the table and a roof over my head is a necessity. Crying over the internet? I was making the point that students aren't rich like people seem to think, a lot of students are on very meagre incomes. Also I never said fees were too high or that I wanted more money you put those words in my mouth. Are you trolling me would be a more pertinent question?

He's trolling

pragmatic1

mackg wrote: »

My free 3rd level education:

Final Year of a science degree have worked all along up until this year, had to give up my job at the end of last year to go on work placement. This year I have been given a grant of €3000, my registration cost €2000 that leaves me with €1000 to support myself for ~8 months. That doesn't really work does it considering that my rent costs that in 4.

If you brought in tuition fees the number of people going to college and getting qualifications would plummet and the number of people trying to find jobs in sectors where there aren't enough to go around now would increase, that's retarded.



that's just wrong.



That's just stupid.

If you come from a disadvantaged area you can get another grant. My area is classed as disadvantaged because it doesnt have a university in x number of km. Got a handy 1000 from it in my final year all thanks to the EU. Theres loads of other grants out there, you just have to be clued up.

Nolanger

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

Our third level system is similar to the second level system in that

most of the teacher and lecturers are female!

pragmatic1

mackg wrote: »

PART TIME JOB- I earned less than the dole there, and no the real world won't be a problem even on the dole I could live comfortably as I could with a full time job I don't need to be rich but food on the table and a roof over my head is a necessity. Crying over the internet? I was making the point that students aren't rich like people seem to think, a lot of students are on very meagre incomes. Also I never said fees were too high or that I wanted more money you put those words in my mouth. Are you trolling me would be a more pertinent question?

College and university graduates fuel our economy by providing an educated workforce for the scientific, engineering and IT sectors. This country would be truely ****ed if those sectors went down.

TheyKnowMyIP

stovelid wrote: »

You failed your degree didn't you?

Why do you think that? If you are failing in college, time to GTFO.

tonsiltickler

Went to an IT for my engineering undergrad. All was good, about 38 hours a week. I learned a lot and the course was challenging.Until my final year....

They introduced semesterisation to make programmes cheaper to run. 16 hours a week, with subjects just thrown in for the sake of it to fill up the 60 credit requirement. Exams went from testing you knowledge and understanding to seeing how much you could learn off by heart.

Did my taught masters p/t in Uni and was pretty much the same. Apart from my project, very little was to be gained from it

Chuchoter

Saila wrote: »

it was all going so well till you mentioned this

Either you've never been to college or it was many many years ago, but a laptop is indispensable these days. Its not a luxury.

Suryavarman

Chuchoter wrote: »

Either you've never been to college or it was many many years ago, but a laptop is indispensable these days. Its not a luxury.

Why is it so important for someone to have their own laptop? Don't colleges have computer labs anymore?

Oranage2

Chuchoter wrote: »

Either you've never been to college or it was many many years ago, but a laptop is indispensable these days. Its not a luxury.

Just like Top man?

Chuchoter

Suryavarman wrote: »

Why is it so important for someone to have their own laptop? Don't colleges have computer labs anymore?

Because everything is on moodle or you have to do up powerpoint presentations? Sorry but you're living in the past if you think anyone doing a degree could get away without their own laptop. People would end up spending day and night in the computer labs, literally. The labs are always busy or broken.

Calling up Topman is a pure strawman, at this point your just bitching at students for no valid reason. I don't know anyone my age who routinely shops in topshop or any such variation

melekalikimaka

the only way the standards will go back up is bringing back in full fees, introduce a loan system like the ukm and weed out the wasters in the system

Haelium

melekalikimaka wrote: »

the only way the standards will go back up is bringing back in full fees, introduce a loan system like the ukm and weed out the wasters in the system

Really? That's the only way?

Suryavarman

Chuchoter wrote: »

Because everything is on moodle or you have to do up powerpoint presentations? Sorry but you're living in the past if you think anyone doing a degree could get away without their own laptop.

Just print the notes off Moodle then, not too hard. I know plenty of people doing degrees that can get by without their own laptop and just using the labs in their college.

People would end up spending day and night in the computer labs, literally. The labs are always busy or broken.

Whats wrong with spending day and night in the labs then if that's what has to be done? If the labs are broken then get the college to fix them.