Cameron A GRADUATE was once respected and seen as asset to have in the workplace but a new poll reveals they are no longer taken as seriously as university entry standards become loose and degree subjects become even more diverse.

The poll of 596 people carried out by www.theanswerbank.co.uk found that 54% of people said that they no longer took graduates as seriously as they once did. This was due to the few qualifications needed to gain entry nowadays as well the type of degree subjects that could be undertook.

The news may come as shock to some, especially as students are now leaving university with around £18,000 debt in the hope of furthering their careers.

Recently, a new scheme to aid university expansion was unveiled. It was said that £1,000 would be paid to universities to take on D-grade students. The aim being that the extra £1,000 is spent on getting the student up the necessary standards.

Of those polled only 12% said that they still viewed university students with the same seriousness as they always have. They pointed out that university is at the most accessible it has ever been, but that this does not mean its graduates should not be taken as seriously.

Despite university being at its most accessible there are still entry guidelines that must be met and this should always be remembered. This is what 34% of those polled thought. They also thought that there are certain degrees which do not warrant seriousness though.