School of life

IT WAS refreshing to read Margaret Hill defending her son’s qualification as not being a Mickey-Mouse degree (Letters). As a shy 18-yearold, I was fortunate to study Maths at Oxford University, and, while my degree helped my career, the most important things I gained were confidence, independence and open-mindedness.

These life lessons still hold good 40 years on. A university degree is not the be all and end all — apprenticeships for trades are equally valuable — but for those who do choose to study at third level, we shouldn’t dismiss any course or university. That move away from home is scary, but it is a stepping stone to adult life.

JANE COLLARD, North Holmwood, Surrey.