General Studies

[Duke Malcolm]

It is that time of my life when I am perusing through university prospecti, deciding on which I should grace with my presence and my parent's money (or in the case of the Scottish Universities, the Scottish Executive's money on my behalf). Therewas, however, an oddity in each and every one of them. Each and every course in my university prospecti has a small sentence at the bottom concerned with General Studies, and the lack of acceptance thereof as an A-level. I have heard tell of many odd subjects studied in England where we in Scotland have included it with another subject, such as Citizenship, British Government and Politics, and many plethorae of others. This, on the other hand, does not seem to be covered by any of the Scottish subjects.

What in God's good name is General Studies, and why do universities not like it?!

[thrashaholic]

General Studies is a cop out A-level with a bit of everything, but nothing in particular, in it.

I'm not sure of the ins and outs because I don't do it myself, but I believe it has a bit of maths, a bit of english, a bit of history, a bit of IT etc.

Universities don't accept it because there's absolutely nothing to it.

[The_Doctor]

I think there is French involved.

Basically it is useless.

[English assassin]

IIRC you just wake up one morning, decide to sit a general studies exam that day, write about any old rubbish that comes into your head and get an A.

When I was doing exams (O levels in those days damn you ) this was generally frowned on, although as all exams seem to work like that these days I can't see why the Unis are singling out general studies in particular...

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

It's a waste of time, avoid it like the plague.