Should a degree be a requirement?

Fri 02 Dec 2011

Adam Laidler, Director at Williams gives his opinion.

"In certain disciplines, a degree can add real value (and is actually essential) - think Doctors, Scientists, Solicitors, etc. Degrees in generalist subjects in my opinion add less value. 

Personally, I do not have a degree. I couldn't decide upon what I wanted to do after college but felt that 3 years work experience would give me an edge above graduates. I now run my own business and have employed graduates over the last 5 years. Their degrees have never influenced my hiring decisions. I might add that I have also hired none graduates in equal measure. 

With the change in tuition fees, I think more students will think twice before going to uni. In the long term, I think this will have a positive impact as it'll mean people really give thought to what value they want from a degree. It could be the change that brings back credibility to the university system, which in my opinion has become devalued over the last 15 years. 

In the next 5-10 years I think employers will focus less on degree requirements. After this, as graduates become fewer in numbers, the credibility of degrees could build and therefore it may well return as a popular requirement. I think if and when that happens, it will be without the resentment which sometimes currently exists."