Dissertation Survey

[eastwestdivide]

Just be aware that your survey is going to be somewhat selective in its respondents, i.e. people on a rail enthusiast forum are unlikely to be representative of the population as a whole.
Of course you may have sent the survey to other groups too.

 

[The Ham]

Just be aware that your survey is going to be somewhat selective in its respondents, i.e. people on a rail enthusiast forum are unlikely to be representative of the population as a whole.
Of course you may have sent the survey to other groups too.

I've shared the survey request in the OP on my social media, so that would attract a wider range of responses. If others also do the same it should help broaden the responses for the OP.

 

[Typhoon]

There's an argument that if you just want a degree so as to get into a graduate training scheme then go for a University which is easier to get into and therefore easier to get a 2:1 or better.

Absolutely, a very solid argument at that. This has been true for at least 50 years and little has been done about it despite the expansion of university education.

I know someone with straight A's at GCSE and A's and B's at A- level who went to a good university and got a 2:2 whilst other prime who went to the other university in the same place with much lower pre uni grades but came away with 2:1's and firsts.

Of course performance at one level does not necessarily dictate performance at a higher level but your example, unfortunately, is widely replicated. What is worse in a way is the variation of faculties within a particular university. The institution may have a reputation for excellence but it does not follow that this is replicated in all disciplines hence my point. Some polys were excellent in certain specialisms. Converted to universities, some branched out into more run-of-the mill subjects, where they were a long way down the pecking order, instead of sticking to what they were good at resulting in poorish ability students with decent degrees, which may subsequently tarnish the reputation of the institution. The University of Avon will probably still be doling out firsts for a degree in Medieval Literature although they admitted students with one 'E'. Even well established universities have really strong departments operating alongside non descript departments.​

Some surveys get round the academic point by including (for instance) 'First degree or equivalent'; I am trying to encourage those who have a specialist qualification in a particular field (such as industry standard qualifications in, say, engineering or child care) which they believe is at least equivalent to a degree to claim it as a degree (or whatever). Book learning isn't everything!​

 

[Modron]

Just completed it, hope that my answers prove useful to you!