6th Form!
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6th Form!
Right then, now is decision time.....Just starting my last year at school i need to make up my mind...Next year do i ....A. Go to University for 3/4 years or B. do i go and start my Flight training ??
I know that companies are going to start crying out for pilots soon so i think i may skip the uni bit.
Any ideas?
Thanks
I know that companies are going to start crying out for pilots soon so i think i may skip the uni bit.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Last edited by christootell; 21st Jun 2003 at 16:49.
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If you are capable, go to university - you are wasting your talent otherwise and too many of your competition will have degrees.
It doesn't take much for airlines not to be crying out for pilots; a degree under your belt is an asset in getting a job in those times, and your earning power as a graduate is greater to fund training. Plus there are so many people above you waiting for jobs at the moment, that you may have a long wait after qualifying while higher-houred people are recruited.
Look long term - you have a long life ahead of you, and uni offers UASs that could give you either more options military-wise or hours towards licences however you look at it.
It doesn't take much for airlines not to be crying out for pilots; a degree under your belt is an asset in getting a job in those times, and your earning power as a graduate is greater to fund training. Plus there are so many people above you waiting for jobs at the moment, that you may have a long wait after qualifying while higher-houred people are recruited.
Look long term - you have a long life ahead of you, and uni offers UASs that could give you either more options military-wise or hours towards licences however you look at it.
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The way I looked at it was, why 'waste' 3/4 years of your life sat behind a desk doing a course that doesn't directly relate to the thing that you really want to do. I say crack on and do the flight training - this is a big enough expense not to mention the cost of uni and the social life that goes with it.
Providing you have got a good school background and have the ability to study and revise well, you shouldn't have any problems.
When I did my training - yes it was true that most of the student (well the sponsored ones) had degrees but since I qualified I have joined an airline and most of my colleagues don't have degrees.
In summary:
1) If you ar looking for sponsorship (not many about at the moment) - get a degree.
2) If you are going to be self sponsored - just crack on with the flight training (everybody gets the same qualification at the end of the day).
Best of luck
BP
Providing you have got a good school background and have the ability to study and revise well, you shouldn't have any problems.
When I did my training - yes it was true that most of the student (well the sponsored ones) had degrees but since I qualified I have joined an airline and most of my colleagues don't have degrees.
In summary:
1) If you ar looking for sponsorship (not many about at the moment) - get a degree.
2) If you are going to be self sponsored - just crack on with the flight training (everybody gets the same qualification at the end of the day).
Best of luck
BP
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Thanks very much for the different opinions. I am looking towards self sponsership through the training and I also see Uni as a little bit of a 'waste' of 3/4 years, but i totally agree with Lucifer's comments.
I am going to apply for uni and then i can always say yes or no at the last minute.
We will see again this time next year what the state of the industry is.
I am going to apply for uni and then i can always say yes or no at the last minute.
We will see again this time next year what the state of the industry is.
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My advice
Hey,
i am just finishing my A levels this coming week, and then on the friday i am off to have a class one medical done. (already nervous). I have applied to UCAS as at my school everyone just does, i am not trying to sound snobbish, its just what happens. I have 2 offers and i have accepted them, but i have no intention of going. I only want to go to Uni if i fail my medical and i need to alter my dreams. If i pass the medical then i will be off into the clouds................
What i suggest is to apply to UCAS, do it seriously - i didn't and just chose a Geography course - find a course you believe you will enjoy. Then also explore your flying options, have a trial flight, join the ATC etc etc. As well as researching Uni's, research this pilot lark too, i.e possible schools. Maybe go and visit a few. Get a class one done to see if you can fly commercially. Accept two Uni offers and you can make your decision much later. I haven't made mine yet, it all hinges on the Class1. If i pass i will probably defer my offers for a year, and see how i am getting on then. This way you can keep your options open as long as possible.
I hope this helps. Good Luck Mate!!!!
Dozza
i am just finishing my A levels this coming week, and then on the friday i am off to have a class one medical done. (already nervous). I have applied to UCAS as at my school everyone just does, i am not trying to sound snobbish, its just what happens. I have 2 offers and i have accepted them, but i have no intention of going. I only want to go to Uni if i fail my medical and i need to alter my dreams. If i pass the medical then i will be off into the clouds................
What i suggest is to apply to UCAS, do it seriously - i didn't and just chose a Geography course - find a course you believe you will enjoy. Then also explore your flying options, have a trial flight, join the ATC etc etc. As well as researching Uni's, research this pilot lark too, i.e possible schools. Maybe go and visit a few. Get a class one done to see if you can fly commercially. Accept two Uni offers and you can make your decision much later. I haven't made mine yet, it all hinges on the Class1. If i pass i will probably defer my offers for a year, and see how i am getting on then. This way you can keep your options open as long as possible.
I hope this helps. Good Luck Mate!!!!
Dozza
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Yea thats exactly what happens at our school aswell....You are just 'expected' to go to Uni. They got a bit of a shock when i said i wanted to be a 'bus driver'!! HA, a bit more glamorised though! Anyway thank for all the help. I am going to get offers and then make the final decision this time next year.
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Been there, done that with this decision.
The vast majority of my 6th form went on to Uni, I was one of about 6 who didn't. I turned down a place on an aeronautical engineering degree to join the Navy as an observer. Now 10 years down the line I am completing a modular CPL route.
Only you will know the answer to your dilema, but the following may influence:
1) Comlpeting a degree can bring you greater earning potential if you are then going to use the subsequent job to pay for your flying training.
2) Most students are hugely in debt after a 3 year degree, meaning you end up losing a lot of the advantage of a higher paying job by having more debts to clear.
3) Most Uni's will get you access to the University Air Squadrons which is a very good way to get apid to develop your flying skills.
4) Nobody knows what the job market will be like in 1 years time.
5) In the 3 years to get a degree followed by a year training, the job market will be even less predictable than the next year. But, at least you would have a fallback trade/skil/career whilst waiting for jobs.
My personal opinion is that most students are £15 to £20k in debt after 3 years, in effect paying for their degree. If your degree is not going to earn you back that money and enough on top to fund flying training, then it is time and money wasted.
By the way, I didn't miss out on going to University, I could enjoy life in the Navy.
Obs cop
The vast majority of my 6th form went on to Uni, I was one of about 6 who didn't. I turned down a place on an aeronautical engineering degree to join the Navy as an observer. Now 10 years down the line I am completing a modular CPL route.
Only you will know the answer to your dilema, but the following may influence:
1) Comlpeting a degree can bring you greater earning potential if you are then going to use the subsequent job to pay for your flying training.
2) Most students are hugely in debt after a 3 year degree, meaning you end up losing a lot of the advantage of a higher paying job by having more debts to clear.
3) Most Uni's will get you access to the University Air Squadrons which is a very good way to get apid to develop your flying skills.
4) Nobody knows what the job market will be like in 1 years time.
5) In the 3 years to get a degree followed by a year training, the job market will be even less predictable than the next year. But, at least you would have a fallback trade/skil/career whilst waiting for jobs.
My personal opinion is that most students are £15 to £20k in debt after 3 years, in effect paying for their degree. If your degree is not going to earn you back that money and enough on top to fund flying training, then it is time and money wasted.
By the way, I didn't miss out on going to University, I could enjoy life in the Navy.
Obs cop
