I spoke to a class of sixth formers about university this week. They, remember, will be the first group having to fund fees of up to £9,000 a year if they choose to go to university.
I told them that except for a few specific professions (like medicine), a degree is still not an absolute essential – but gaining 'graduateness' will be vital for their future success. (I told them I wanted them to go to university, but even more than this I wanted them to want to go.)
The challenge now is to articulate what I mean by graduateness. To kick this off, here's a list for discussion of '21 things to achieve by age 21' – suitable for graduates and non-graduates alike. What would you add or change?
21 by 21
21 things to have achieved by age 21
Citizenship
- Have raised money for a good cause
- Have campaigned in an election or for a cause
- Have written to your MP
- Have a track record of volunteering
Media literacy
- Have had a letter published in a newspaper or have appeared on television
- Have your own blog or personal website
- Have a following on social media (eg 500 Facebook friends; 100 Twitter followers)
- Can name your five favourite novels (and say why you've chosen them)
- Can discuss and explain the day's news headlines
Entrepreneurship and independence
- Have started your own business
- Have gained demonstrable team-building and leadership qualities
- Have lived independently and learned to budget
- Have cooked a meal for six or more
Global outlook
- Can speak a foreign language
- Have lived abroad (not just visited on holiday)
- Are sensitive to cultural and religious differences
Personal achievements
- Have the expected grades and qualifications – plus something extra
- Must have sound basic literacy (spelling) and numeracy (counting) skills
- Endurance (eg have run a marathon; have walked 100 miles)
- Can explain your passion for sport/fashion/celebrity/music etc
- Have in addition to this some notable musical, artistic or sporting skill, or an unusual hobby
Am I too unambitous? I can think of some current first year students (who may be 18, 19, 20, or 21) who have already ticked off most of this list.
PR Studies 
In an age where 2:1 degrees are the norm, standing out as a well-rounded individual through a combination of extra-curricular achievement coupled with relevant work experience has never been more important.
This is a fantastic list.
Ben has spotted one of my purposes in writing this: that a degree is not sufficient means of distinguishing the highly motivated from the merely competent.
My other purpose (which I thought more controversial) is that all of the above can be achieved WITHOUT a degree – though I think it would be harder to get there outside higher education than on a degree course.
I’m in full agreement, Richard.
Degrees are and always will be a great way to demonstrate a certain level of academic intelligence and analytical thinking in a standardised way.
However, achievements like those outlined above are what will make people stand out.
With a large pool of students with 2:1 degrees, graduates should be asking themselves how can they stand out from a large crowd of seemingly equally qualified people?
Thanks your article was really interesting and it was very relevant to for answering my questions will definitely read more of your posts in the future
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Excellent post, Richard. I’d hazard you may be overly-ambitious for many young people. I blame the stultifying world of institutional education.
Still, I would love to live in a world where typical 21-year-olds managed even half this list.