> Out of your experience is there a big > difference between a BSc from a top University (like York) and that of > a lower ranking Computer Science course at somewhere like Essex or > East Anglia? I'm prepared to take a year or two out as required to get > a few A levels on top of my BTEC is required to achieve my goal.
Yes. There absolutely is. It is well worth spending those few years to get the A levels to go to a good university. As others have mentioned you can take a foundation year at university, your BTECH should qualiy you for joining at this level. You do need to speak to the admission tutors and find out. I am currently on a placement year and have met other CS students at other universities. The level some of these students are at really appalls me. Some have never touched UNIX or C. IMO how the heck can you study CS without touching either? These people will never be taken seriously, i'd say 90% of them are doing 'bid' work (photocopying, printing CD labels etc) I would go for a minimum a Red Brick university. Somewhere like Manchester, UCL, Southampton are the 3 you should aim for. Anywhere else and you might not learn the skills you need. Remember: Where you get your degree is equally as important as what you studied. There really is a difference between good degrees and bad degrees and employers/people do know this. Example: Would you rather take someone with a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University or from Essex Polytechnic? (no offense to anyone from Essex Polytechnic) -- Matthew G Larsen > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/