Degree from IT or University, is there a difference?

In terms of science degrees, just a couple of points that may conflict with each other. I've come across employers in the pharma and chemical industry who were not keen to employ either TCD grads (degree regarded as not practical enough) or grads from most ITs (degree regarded as not of a high enough standard). The preference was for graduates from UL, DCU and DIT.

Re: the standard of degree - the likes of LYIT has low points for most courses. Although CAO points requirements are due to supply and demand, they often give a general indication of the ability of people doing the course. It's widely known that there are high failure rates in the ITs in courses with low points. It's not too much of a stretch to think that courses may have to be "dumbed down" so that there are some students remaining to graduate at the end of 4 years.

The education system is flawed in any case - I've come across science grads (even those with "practical" degrees) who had great difficulty with basic lab techniques such as serial dilutions. Some of these were doing PhDs, using the techniques in the lab regularly, demonstrating to undergrads and were still having difficulty.

Also, and again in general, high calibre people tend to excel at whatever they do and learn quickly. A TCD Arts graduate who scored 500 points in their LC may make a better scientist after a short period of on the job training than someone with a science degree from an IT who got 200 points in their LC.

Completely unrelated to the standard of degree, I think that people should aim to attend an institution in a city (and stay in that city) rather than attend one in a town like Letterkenny, Athlone or Carlow. Go somewhere where there is a large number of students from all over the country living away from home, a large population of non students, women, lots to do etc. Go to LYIT and I'd imagine that you'll get lots of students from surrounding counties who are there to get a degree as cheaply as possible and live at home while doing so and treating it as an extension of school. It's approx 20 years since I was an undergrad and I find that people of my age who lived away from home and attended universities in cities seem to be more nostalgic about their student days, have had more memorable experiences and made better friends than those who attended their local IT.

Everlee Long Vignette wrote: »

In theory, that's true.

In practice, institutional prestige comes into play. Many people would value a degree from Trinity College more than a degree from Sligo IT.

Also, a "level 8 degree" means nothing outside of Ireland. Employers in other countries are likely to look at how highly ranked an institution is internationally, and that's where the top universities will stand their graduates in better stead.

In a few other EU countries Level 8 doesn't exist. There's only one Bachelor's degree (180 ects) and you go straight into the master after it if you wish. No honours degree.
Funnily enough would my sister with her 180 point degree move here, her degree would be accredited as Honours (which requires 240 ects).
So it's not as uniform and straight forward, even if it should be.

Captain Havoc wrote: »

I'm in my fifth year studying part-time for an arts degree from the Open University.

Are you retired?

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

PLC's are a waste of space.

If the kids cannot get into a real course that they WANT to do, then advise to look for an apprenticeship.

I've never met a poor plumber.

Maybe it's changed since my college days but I thought some PLCs offer a pathway on to further third level study. Dunno if that's changed?

Everlee Long Vignette wrote: »

The Irish meaning of "Level 8" is specific to the National Framework of Qualifications (NQF).

There's also an EU-wide European Qualifications Framework (EQF) but it has eight levels rather than ten. Levels 7 and 8 on the Irish NFQ both correspond to Level 6 on the EQF — meaning that there is no distinction at the EU level between an ordinary degree and an honours degree.

A "Level 8" qualification in the EQF would be a PhD, which also has the potential to create confusion.

The same works the other way around, the NFQ has no idea how to deal with European qualifications that are from vocational schools. In my course are a mainly people from all over Europe that can't get their qualification accredited. Even though they trained in a specific field and have qualification according to the EQF, they are on the same level as a leaving cert student because there is no equivalent on the NFQ. Same happened to me.

Also there are other more practical paths to gain qualification besides college and would equal a Bachelor's degree, but only counts as a level 6 on the NFQ. It's incredibly frustrating for people and there are plenty in the same boat.

I can't for my life understand that certain EU countries have no interest in using one framework for all member states.

Everlee Long Vignette wrote: »

In theory, that's true.

In practice, institutional prestige comes into play. Many people would value a degree from Trinity College more than a degree from Sligo IT.

Also, a "level 8 degree" means nothing outside of Ireland. Employers in other countries are likely to look at how highly ranked an institution is internationally, and that's where the top universities will stand their graduates in better stead.

It all comes down to what you want to do, where you want to work, what type of education and work suits you better etc.

If you are doing a business degree, and want to work in finance, banking, consultancy etc., the traditional areas of business then it is fairly simple. Go to a traditional university.

If you are more interested in setting up your own business, a more practically oriented degree with work experience in DCU, UL or an IoT would be more beneficial.

In other areas, you sometimes find that some employers, particularly multi-nationals take all the graduates from a particular course in a particular IoT.

The advent of technological universities over the next few years will prove a challenge to the more traditional old-fashioned universities.

theteal wrote: »

Nope, not changed, just some people have misplaced dismissive views about such things. I'm married to and know plenty more senior nurses who started with a PLC. There's a national radio broadcaster that sat a few desks over from me in secondary school who also started out on a PLC. Also, as mentioned previously by another poster, there have been some Hollywood awards that are directly linked to a PLC course from the prestigious confines of the Kylemore Road.

Yes, some people think more highly of certain educational establishments but ultimately it's down to the individual to make something of themself. Also as has been mentioned, for the most part, the degree just gets you the interview.

In broad strokes, I would see PLCs as great backdoors to further education (and often produce people with a great work ethic too) but on their own merit aren't worth a great deal, with rare exceptions like you mentioned.

I'd definitley look into what kind of work placement the college offers. I was in a course with some very average students being taught by some very average lecturers but half of the class are now working in well paid engineering jobs in med devices. Most of those got placements in these companies along the way while more smarter, more talented guys couldn't get their toe in the door without the experience.
I recently got into a postgrad course too, largely thanks to my industry experience. and that stemmed from the year of work placement.