How important is a University degree?
Join Date: Jun 2006
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See the GAPAN/EPST airline survey and read this quote from the results to question 1;
"[...] The airline responses also indicate that family background; education and previous employment are not considered important selection criteria."
Note that this is not necessarily the universal truth, but it might help you make a decision.
In addition I can tell you the following. I have worked for a IT consultancy company a few years for which a bachelor degree (higher technical education) are minimums. There were a few colleagues with a master degree (=university) but the only difference I saw there was that their salary raise was slightly higher. Keep in mind that a university degree is not a condition to be airline pilot.
An argument in favor of getting the degree might be that
- you get more life experience in the mean while
- you obtain a degree in in something else than flying
- you have a backup in case it goes wrong
Hope this helps. Good luck.
"[...] The airline responses also indicate that family background; education and previous employment are not considered important selection criteria."
Note that this is not necessarily the universal truth, but it might help you make a decision.
In addition I can tell you the following. I have worked for a IT consultancy company a few years for which a bachelor degree (higher technical education) are minimums. There were a few colleagues with a master degree (=university) but the only difference I saw there was that their salary raise was slightly higher. Keep in mind that a university degree is not a condition to be airline pilot.
An argument in favor of getting the degree might be that
- you get more life experience in the mean while
- you obtain a degree in in something else than flying
- you have a backup in case it goes wrong
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Having completed a degree in Aviation Technology with pilot studies and got a PPL at the same time, I have to say I am not sure of the benefit of doing a degree now (apart from the uni experience and making new mates) . Much of this is due to the fact that the degree I did at Leeds just did not come up to expectations, the best bits are very good, the flying training was very good (despite the usual frustrations and delays plus the extra cost) and the lectures taught by outside professionals and guest speakers which at least give you an insight about aviation that the uni lecturers cannot. The bad bits were very bad, many of the lecturers lack any kind of ability to communicate (in English yet alone about the subject) and most of what you study in the earlier years has nothing much to do with aviation, bit of a con, apart from aviation tech and aircraft performance which are the only ones I can remember as being any good and which I enjoyed. At least I saved a few quid on the cost of a PPL thanks to the taxpayer, but now have a student debt round my neck as more training to pay for as well.
Upto The Buffers
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You'd be surpised where a degree won't get you these days. If it's a serious degree from a respected redbrick university then it carries some weight, but most run-of-the-mill degrees aren't really worth a lot. Supply and demand, and there's a hell of a lot more graduates being churned out these days.
I've interviewed people with masters degrees who were utterly useless. I've also interviewed people with a handful of average GCSEs but a nice little collection of IT certifications and who could actually do the job.
Whilst I don't fly for a living, I know a lot of people who do and more who work in airline HR etc.. a degree seems to be usually placed somewhere at the bottom of the desirables list, never in the essentials list. Let's face it, ATPL exams are tougher than most of the degrees on the market these days anyway!
I've interviewed people with masters degrees who were utterly useless. I've also interviewed people with a handful of average GCSEs but a nice little collection of IT certifications and who could actually do the job.
Whilst I don't fly for a living, I know a lot of people who do and more who work in airline HR etc.. a degree seems to be usually placed somewhere at the bottom of the desirables list, never in the essentials list. Let's face it, ATPL exams are tougher than most of the degrees on the market these days anyway!
Total waste of time and money IF you intend to pursue a career as a professional pilot.
Harsh but true,
WWW
Harsh but true,
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Join Date: Dec 1999
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That is a total over-simplification
It is a waste of time and money for those who are not particularly academically minded; for those who are though, and who might wish to ensure they have a backup career of any kind at all, it is a very good idea, and with perseverance can produce great returns.
Lesson - don't bother going to a mediocre university without a plan - and always sign up to the UAS if you have even a partial interest in a mil career. Work your debt off in holidays, and remember that the student loan is a factor in reducing earnings (unless Scottish).
In pure financial terms, yes, it may raise your debt levels - it may however open far more doors to get into airlines. Best of all, it will lead to an open mind.
Don't close doors.
It is a waste of time and money for those who are not particularly academically minded; for those who are though, and who might wish to ensure they have a backup career of any kind at all, it is a very good idea, and with perseverance can produce great returns.
Lesson - don't bother going to a mediocre university without a plan - and always sign up to the UAS if you have even a partial interest in a mil career. Work your debt off in holidays, and remember that the student loan is a factor in reducing earnings (unless Scottish).
In pure financial terms, yes, it may raise your debt levels - it may however open far more doors to get into airlines. Best of all, it will lead to an open mind.
Don't close doors.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Hi,
I found that when I finished flight training the fact that I did not have a University degree did not hinder me in anyway. I got asked the typical question 'why did you decided against University?' at one of the interviews I had, but that was to be expected.
Overall I made my new mates at flight school and think we are a dam sight closer and have a better understanding of one another due to the fact we all have the same interest and have the same goal, that is to get that shiny blue book and hopefully a job at the end.
I would not rule out Uni especially if you are not sure flying is 110% for you, since it will give you a possibility of a back up (which I do not have) and a great experience from what my friends have told me! But in my personal opinion nothing can beat the fun of doing what I love the most and flying.
I have had the time of my life during training and do not regret it one bit and a degree is not essential but do look into it like I did incase something goes wrong (medical or funding wise), and if you really really want to fly and you know after Uni you would head straight into flight training, then why delay the process!
Feel free to PM if you have any questions
All the best
I found that when I finished flight training the fact that I did not have a University degree did not hinder me in anyway. I got asked the typical question 'why did you decided against University?' at one of the interviews I had, but that was to be expected.
Overall I made my new mates at flight school and think we are a dam sight closer and have a better understanding of one another due to the fact we all have the same interest and have the same goal, that is to get that shiny blue book and hopefully a job at the end.
I would not rule out Uni especially if you are not sure flying is 110% for you, since it will give you a possibility of a back up (which I do not have) and a great experience from what my friends have told me! But in my personal opinion nothing can beat the fun of doing what I love the most and flying.
I have had the time of my life during training and do not regret it one bit and a degree is not essential but do look into it like I did incase something goes wrong (medical or funding wise), and if you really really want to fly and you know after Uni you would head straight into flight training, then why delay the process!
Feel free to PM if you have any questions
All the best
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Have a good honours degree from a proper university (not a former polytechnic/new university) and it doesn't seem to be helping me get a job as a pilot. Sorely regret not having made better use of it and pursued a career while i trained as a pilot part-time in order to have something to fall back on now. Good old hindsight!
Your choice.
You don't need one to go flying so work out why you want to do it.
I couldn't afford the time or money when I wore shorts but now I wear trousers I can and am now doing one.
Besides it gives me a few more choices should I choose to do other things.
As the song suggests "Do what you wanna do be what you wanna be yeeaaahh".
Good Luck
You don't need one to go flying so work out why you want to do it.
I couldn't afford the time or money when I wore shorts but now I wear trousers I can and am now doing one.
Besides it gives me a few more choices should I choose to do other things.
As the song suggests "Do what you wanna do be what you wanna be yeeaaahh".
Good Luck
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Firstly, you don't need a degree to become a pilot. If you really want to be come a pilot, don't saddle yourself with extra debt. You'll have enough from flying training.
Secondly, get a job. You'll learn a lot more about life and "grow up" a lot quicker.
I worked at a university for over 8 years. A full time student doesn't really gain the life experiences that working gives you unless they're working part time as well. Of course it's a generalisation but after seeing thousands of students both full time and part time I think I can speak with a fair degree of experience. Consistantly, the mature age/part time students got the better grades than the ones straight out of school. (Science degree)
If you cut a class, well, you can catch that up. If you don't turn up for work without ringing etc, you'll face a pissed off boss.
If you want a degree, why not do it part time whilst working? This way you'll finish it at ~24 or so and you'll have 4-6 years worth of employment. If you plan that well, you'll have industry experience in what you've been studying. So, if heaven forbid, you lose your medical or your flying job, you can go back to your previous job.
So, my advice is: Get the best possible grades at school. ie A levels etc.
If you really want a degree, pick a subject you like and study that. (Only problem is, if you want to become a pilot, then aviation is what you're interested in..Aviation degrees are well... useful-ish in aviation)
However, get a job. You'll need the money.
*I don't have a degree - I had all the fun of being at uni and I got paid to be there.*
I do have a cool job though.
Secondly, get a job. You'll learn a lot more about life and "grow up" a lot quicker.
I worked at a university for over 8 years. A full time student doesn't really gain the life experiences that working gives you unless they're working part time as well. Of course it's a generalisation but after seeing thousands of students both full time and part time I think I can speak with a fair degree of experience. Consistantly, the mature age/part time students got the better grades than the ones straight out of school. (Science degree)
If you cut a class, well, you can catch that up. If you don't turn up for work without ringing etc, you'll face a pissed off boss.
If you want a degree, why not do it part time whilst working? This way you'll finish it at ~24 or so and you'll have 4-6 years worth of employment. If you plan that well, you'll have industry experience in what you've been studying. So, if heaven forbid, you lose your medical or your flying job, you can go back to your previous job.
So, my advice is: Get the best possible grades at school. ie A levels etc.
If you really want a degree, pick a subject you like and study that. (Only problem is, if you want to become a pilot, then aviation is what you're interested in..Aviation degrees are well... useful-ish in aviation)
However, get a job. You'll need the money.
*I don't have a degree - I had all the fun of being at uni and I got paid to be there.*
I do have a cool job though.
