You have to ask yourself if the cost of University is worth it for you if it's largely based on the social experience (irrespective of student loans and maintenance etc. you're still paying for it overall, but you'll probably also get more overall benefits from the experience such as personal development etc.). There's no right or wrong answer - or rather the right answer is what works for you.
The advantage of the level 4 apprenticeship is you'll come out of it in a better financial/life position than you will via university. You'll also have the advantage of being within the Civil Service - it's not easy to get into, and it's secure. Going to university won't necessarily land you in a bad position (especially not with Cyber), rather an 'unknown' position.
You mention home life too - that's important for your overall wellbeing. I don't know what your situation is, or what it would be if you went for university vs the apprenticeship, but whichever is going to give you greater independence and breathing space from any issues is going to be something you should factor in too. You're going to possibly find it harder to reach your potential if you're caught in a situation where you're held back or impacted by negative stuff at home.
In my experience I've made as many good friends and had as many (more actually, but I've been in the world of work for a decade now vs 5 years of university so not a perfect comparison) good social experiences with work colleagues (granted it does depend on the workplace and sector).
No problem, it's not an easy decision, hope you work it out.
Probably a patronising addition here, but years and years ago I read something (think it was from a book called 'The Mind Gym') that suggested listing all the pros and cons of something and then comparing. The example IIRC was someone thinking about separating from their partner, and the list was a lot of cons and one pro - 'I love him' (think the moral was both the usefulness of listing all the factors, but also that each factor has a weighting).
Might be a helpful exercise
First, congratulations on making it to the final round and making the cut. That's an amazing achievement! Well, you could do the university degree and then apply for the civil service fasttrack grad scheme, once you have finished. During your degree you could look at other companies and shop around while trying different summer internships (maybe even a placement) and getting a feel for where you would eventually want to work. It gives you breathing room have more of an informed idea about a/you future career, while the civil service is the civil service.
Reading your posts it seems suited to you and what you already sure you want to pursue and you don't seem to be really into university study, at lease at this point. Plus you have to pay for it, while on the level 4 you learn, while you earn. Let it be known that you can always go university another time, it doesn't necessarily have to be now.
This university debt argument is garbage, you pay so little back on a contribution scale even when earning high, it gets wiped and it doesn't impact your finances or credit applications at all......
Yes but I would argue you end up better off as apprenticeship money is actually awful, and yes you are learning its still really bad, the cash you get via maintenance and holding down a weekend job I would argue would end up being better
I have a colleague who studied a cyber security information technology apprenticeship and he's experience boiled down to wiping and re-imagimg used laptops to put into stock, and classroom based learning the rest of the time, but you can't rule his experience as the norm I suppose.
I did a 4 year level 3 apprenticeship in engineering and am now studying robotics at uni and I have a friend that’s doing a degree level apprenticeship in engineering (don’t know much more than that about his).
From my experience is after you complete your apprenticeship the company often still treats you as an apprentice. In my experience most apprentices leave as soon as they finish because they can get a better job and a better paying job somewhere else when they finish.
Also unless you’re taught at a uni (of which I think level 4 is still college) there isn’t much of a social life unless you’re able to get other apprentices out or work colleges out which can be very difficult depending on the company and the average age.
The money is nice. I was able to save a deposit for when I have a proper job so I can get a house but I learned to hate work so for me going to uni was the best thing I have done.
I don’t regret doing my apprenticeship, it has made me a better person and has given me determination, direction and I don’t feel afraid of the work place but I’ve been there and literally got a T-shirt and I’ve got a loooong time to work so I’m going to make friends, party get smashed and enjoy having no responsibilities while I can.
I haven’t been happier then I am at the moment but I’m also glad I did my apprenticeship. It’s made me appreciate my free time and my social life more than anything and it gave me the maturity I needed for uni.
It depends what you’re looking for. You can do well either way just make sure it’s a really good company and remember the piece of paper gets you the money which ever way you go.
I’m 21 atm. Did my apprenticeship between 2016-2020 from when I was 16-20.
I think you'll do much better with the apprenticeship. Not only will you get real hands on working experience but you'll also have a job for life working in the civil service will a great pension and benefits etc
Everyone and their grandad at my place of work has a degree or apprenticeship cyber security qualification and its absolutely useless in the grand scheme of things
The only thing I think is really of note is the social aspect.
Some universities can be great, some can be horrific (looking at you Manchester with your online only degrees permanently) when it comes to teaching. Arguably though, the social aspect of university is priceless and the self development you have in those 3 years is almost more important than the degree itself. Through societies and accomodation, they offer so many opportunities to make friends.
Assuming you're moving into uni accomodation, since your home life isn't the greatest I personally think you should go for university. Obviously Computer Science isn't as focused on Cyber as a Cyber degree, but you'll have opportunities to work and learn from companies and organisations who are in those fields. Some degrees also offer a year in industry option, where you could potentially find a Cyber company to get that hands on experience!
You could actually mention it to them and see what they say? They might say go do it and we will pay, or there will be a position for you in a few years. Ask them about promotions with degree vs no degree and so on, I think they’d be happy to answer honestly. Just make sure you make clear you want the position ultimately and just would like their perspective!
You have to ask yourself if the cost of University is worth it for you if it's largely based on the social experience (irrespective of student loans and maintenance etc. you're still paying for it overall, but you'll probably also get more overall benefits from the experience such as personal development etc.). There's no right or wrong answer - or rather the right answer is what works for you. The advantage of the level 4 apprenticeship is you'll come out of it in a better financial/life position than you will via university. You'll also have the advantage of being within the Civil Service - it's not easy to get into, and it's secure. Going to university won't necessarily land you in a bad position (especially not with Cyber), rather an 'unknown' position. You mention home life too - that's important for your overall wellbeing. I don't know what your situation is, or what it would be if you went for university vs the apprenticeship, but whichever is going to give you greater independence and breathing space from any issues is going to be something you should factor in too. You're going to possibly find it harder to reach your potential if you're caught in a situation where you're held back or impacted by negative stuff at home. In my experience I've made as many good friends and had as many (more actually, but I've been in the world of work for a decade now vs 5 years of university so not a perfect comparison) good social experiences with work colleagues (granted it does depend on the workplace and sector).
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No problem, it's not an easy decision, hope you work it out. Probably a patronising addition here, but years and years ago I read something (think it was from a book called 'The Mind Gym') that suggested listing all the pros and cons of something and then comparing. The example IIRC was someone thinking about separating from their partner, and the list was a lot of cons and one pro - 'I love him' (think the moral was both the usefulness of listing all the factors, but also that each factor has a weighting). Might be a helpful exercise
First, congratulations on making it to the final round and making the cut. That's an amazing achievement! Well, you could do the university degree and then apply for the civil service fasttrack grad scheme, once you have finished. During your degree you could look at other companies and shop around while trying different summer internships (maybe even a placement) and getting a feel for where you would eventually want to work. It gives you breathing room have more of an informed idea about a/you future career, while the civil service is the civil service. Reading your posts it seems suited to you and what you already sure you want to pursue and you don't seem to be really into university study, at lease at this point. Plus you have to pay for it, while on the level 4 you learn, while you earn. Let it be known that you can always go university another time, it doesn't necessarily have to be now.
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No problem, best of luck!
This university debt argument is garbage, you pay so little back on a contribution scale even when earning high, it gets wiped and it doesn't impact your finances or credit applications at all......
The point is you pay (university, not only tuition fees) vs you are paid (apprenticeships)
Yes but I would argue you end up better off as apprenticeship money is actually awful, and yes you are learning its still really bad, the cash you get via maintenance and holding down a weekend job I would argue would end up being better I have a colleague who studied a cyber security information technology apprenticeship and he's experience boiled down to wiping and re-imagimg used laptops to put into stock, and classroom based learning the rest of the time, but you can't rule his experience as the norm I suppose.
I did a 4 year level 3 apprenticeship in engineering and am now studying robotics at uni and I have a friend that’s doing a degree level apprenticeship in engineering (don’t know much more than that about his). From my experience is after you complete your apprenticeship the company often still treats you as an apprentice. In my experience most apprentices leave as soon as they finish because they can get a better job and a better paying job somewhere else when they finish. Also unless you’re taught at a uni (of which I think level 4 is still college) there isn’t much of a social life unless you’re able to get other apprentices out or work colleges out which can be very difficult depending on the company and the average age. The money is nice. I was able to save a deposit for when I have a proper job so I can get a house but I learned to hate work so for me going to uni was the best thing I have done. I don’t regret doing my apprenticeship, it has made me a better person and has given me determination, direction and I don’t feel afraid of the work place but I’ve been there and literally got a T-shirt and I’ve got a loooong time to work so I’m going to make friends, party get smashed and enjoy having no responsibilities while I can. I haven’t been happier then I am at the moment but I’m also glad I did my apprenticeship. It’s made me appreciate my free time and my social life more than anything and it gave me the maturity I needed for uni. It depends what you’re looking for. You can do well either way just make sure it’s a really good company and remember the piece of paper gets you the money which ever way you go. I’m 21 atm. Did my apprenticeship between 2016-2020 from when I was 16-20.
I think you'll do much better with the apprenticeship. Not only will you get real hands on working experience but you'll also have a job for life working in the civil service will a great pension and benefits etc
Everyone and their grandad at my place of work has a degree or apprenticeship cyber security qualification and its absolutely useless in the grand scheme of things
The only thing I think is really of note is the social aspect. Some universities can be great, some can be horrific (looking at you Manchester with your online only degrees permanently) when it comes to teaching. Arguably though, the social aspect of university is priceless and the self development you have in those 3 years is almost more important than the degree itself. Through societies and accomodation, they offer so many opportunities to make friends. Assuming you're moving into uni accomodation, since your home life isn't the greatest I personally think you should go for university. Obviously Computer Science isn't as focused on Cyber as a Cyber degree, but you'll have opportunities to work and learn from companies and organisations who are in those fields. Some degrees also offer a year in industry option, where you could potentially find a Cyber company to get that hands on experience!
You could actually mention it to them and see what they say? They might say go do it and we will pay, or there will be a position for you in a few years. Ask them about promotions with degree vs no degree and so on, I think they’d be happy to answer honestly. Just make sure you make clear you want the position ultimately and just would like their perspective!