That sounds like a hard road to plow, but like I said before, I think the whole college thing is stupid. You're right, talking to the right people, everything is negotiable, even when they appear to be set in stone. It's meant to make it so that the company gets as much out of you as they can without question, and/or to make administration easier for the masses. They may actually respect you more if you refuse to play their little games. It may even play a little into the psychological intrigue where they've stated an interest and want to get you in the door, but you play hard to get and make them want to bend even more. 😎 I think the key with job hunting is kind of like buying a car - play it cool and never ever get in a hurry or make the sales guy think you're squirming to get in that car right now. You have to stay in the driver's seat so to speak and calmly wait for them to come to you, making them kind of beg to get you. I assume the culture in the UK is similar to the US then as far as college "requirements" for most tech jobs?