I work for the LSC and I'm ploughing through some education stats at the moment. Where on the education scale do you come. Are Sheffield Forum posters typical of the nation or are we smarter than the average bear.

National Qualifications Framework
Framework for Higher Education Qualification levels (FHEQ)


Level 8 D (doctoral)doctorates

Level 7 M (masters) masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas

Level 6 H (honours)bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas

Level 5 I (intermediate)diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees, higher national diplomas

Level 4 C (certificate)certificates of higher education

Level 3 Level 3 NVQ, A levels

Level 2 Level 2 NVQ, GCSEs Grades A*-C

Level 1 Level 1 NVQ in BakeryGCSEs Grades D-G
Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy



UK average

No qualification 13.4%

Below level 2 19.4%

Level 2 21.6%

Level 3 19.5%

Level 4, 5 & 6 21%

Level 7 & 8 5.1%

I only did my o'levels at school and although I got 9 I was the youngest of 3 children my parents could not support me through Uni - I didn't want to get into debt so I went straight out to work as an office junior for an Insurance Company.

Within 5 years I was a specialist underwriter with an ACII (ACII is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute by examination) but It does not have an option for that on the poll...:mad:

I've only got 2 'O' levels, an NVQ in baking would be handy though, my pastry is terrible,

think I'm a level 3 at the moment as I've got my A levels, but I've still got a year left before I finish my degree...

so in 2 years when I'm done I'll jump from level 3 to 6? :? shouldn't you have to reach 4 and 5 before you reach 6, that makes no sense...

I'm currently a 3, but my career won't begin until I reach no 6 and 7. (Going to be a solicitor you see)

Unless you call making tea a career :suspect:

I am currently completing a post-grad in Law, then the LPC in September.

Originally posted by xafier
think I'm a level 3 at the moment as I've got my A levels, but I've still got a year left before I finish my degree...

so in 2 years when I'm done I'll jump from level 3 to 6? :? shouldn't you have to reach 4 and 5 before you reach 6, that makes no sense...


When I was doing my degree we had someone join us in the 2nd year who was allowed to skip the 1st year of the course because she had an HND in the subject. Since HNC is a level 4 & HND level 5 you sort of have reached that stage - just no certs to show for it :P

Does being at a high level make you smarter???

I am at level 2 and have staff working under me who range from level 3 to level 7. I wouldn't say they are smarter than me and some i'm astonished at their level of intelligence

Level 9 should be a greater degree of common sense. Will get you a lot further in life although i admit not the same level of job or salary.

Just(!) a dissertation to go and I'll be #7. Eep!

Originally posted by youwhatref
Does being at a high level make you smarter???

Nope. You have to be smarter (book smart, not common sense smart) to get there, it doesn't make you smarter.

Here's the kicker, though. The people at level 6-8 are smarter than average (you would hope), but there's nothing to say that people at levels 0-5 are not smarter than average. It's just a measure of academic (not professional or social) achievement.

Originally posted by caprice
Unless you call making tea a career :suspect:

Oh I wish! :thumbsup:

Speaking of which.....*wanders off to put the kettle on*

I'm up to level 5 - I've got a Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design.

I've also got a GNVQ - not sure where that comes in the poll 'tho...

Originally posted by seanyboy
I've also got a GNVQ - not sure where that comes in the poll 'tho...

depends what level it is, I've got one and it's worth 2 GCSE's I think... the advanced level ones are worth the same as an A level I think...

I've got a bunch of GCSE's at C+, a GNVQ, 2 A levels, 1 AS level, a Cisco certification and 2 years of a degree under my belt...

still have no common sense though :?

oh look I'm just one of the masses with a worthless degree :rolleyes:

I'm a level 6 apparently, but it still doesn't stop me from being immensely stupid. However, I did pick a very easy degree. I failed most of my A-levels (in one I got an "E", and I only got that after a remark).

Anyhoo, I'm a big fan of that idea in evolution that it's not the most intelligent that thrive, it's the ones who can adapt to their situation. That's sooo true.

I'm a Level 7, despite being irredeemably stupid. So much for stats.....

I'm at level 3 but surely this is a flawed poll because all of us are different ages? A 16 year old, say, is not going to be able to have more than GCSEs under their belt, but that doesn't make them less academically clever!

Anyways. Dylan who started the thread - you appear to have a quote from Hitler's first economics minister, Schacht, as your signature thing, unless I am mistaken. How very odd.

I'm a level 8.

According to the poll results, 1 in 10 of us have doctorates, which (if it was a representative sample, which I very much doubt) would be pretty remarkable for a forum such as this.

I'm a level 7, but should be level 8 next year. I agree with Lord C, the sampling does not appear to be valid. The figure of one in ten with PhDs is highly suspect. How many hold a Doctor of Science qualification? One in twenty?

Noseyrosie makes a good point re the 'flawed' nature of the poll in respect of the age variable. Rosie, judging from your postings on the Durkheim thread amongst others, you will not stay at level 3. You seem to be very bright, and will probably get to at least level 7.

Judging by some of the poorly written English on this forum, some of the members write as if they'd barely pass a foundation tiered GCSE paper.

:)

Originally posted by timo
I'm a level 7, but should be level 8 next year. I agree with Lord C, the sampling does not appear to be valid. The figure of one in ten with PhDs is highly suspect. How many hold a Doctor of Science qualification? One in twenty?

Noseyrosie makes a good point re the 'flawed' nature of the poll in respect of the age variable. Rosie, judging from your postings on the Durkheim thread amongst others, you will not stay at level 3. You seem to be very bright, and will probably get to at least level 7.

Isn't it likely that those who have the highest academic qualifications will be the most keen to announce their academic results to the world - thus skewing the poll naturally towards showing the higher levels?

Having said that, there are some remarkably erudite people on this Forum, who are clearly 'top-drawer' in the brains department.

Sheffield Forum - one of the brightest Forums around? I think so. :thumbsup:

StarSparkle

Originally posted by timo
I'm a level 7, but should be level 8 next year. I agree with Lord C, the sampling does not appear to be valid. The figure of one in ten with PhDs is highly suspect. How many hold a Doctor of Science qualification? One in twenty?

Noseyrosie makes a good point re the 'flawed' nature of the poll in respect of the age variable. Rosie, judging from your postings on the Durkheim thread amongst others, you will not stay at level 3. You seem to be very bright, and will probably get to at least level 7.

Oh Timo you've made me go all embarrassed!

I am planning on doing at least a Masters....i like the idea of the academic life, wearing berets and all that :hihi: but it's a while yet - don't even start uni until the Autumn!

Im currently at Level 6

12 GCSE's - 3 AS/A-Levels - Currently doing Honours Degree.

I plan to do at least a Masters, and possibly a Doctorate :)