How many of you saw a BSc/A as not enough?

[Jonny69]

I think the subject base has some influence over post-grad courses as well. I'm in sustainability and practically all the jobs advertised at any of the major companies (e.g. M&S, Unilever etc) require a minimum of a masters and prefer an EngD, to demonstrate some kind of competence in the field.

On top of that the job market is not as easy as it was a few years ago, especially for graduates, so many are deferring a difficult period by pursuing further studies.

Then there is the simple fact that, like you say, many many more people have degrees these days. As a graduate, post-grad qualifications make your degree stand out more.

 

[Disco Boy]

You mention post grad then go on to talk about an undergrad masters...

I think there are certainly more doing post grad courses to stand out from all the other grads, especially for more competative jobs. There isn't really a need AFAIK if you just want to do IT or become a middle manager in an office but for more technical positions it is becoming far more important. For research/work in a lot of the pure sciences you will need one, for Petroleum you have needed one for a long time.

I think we do also need to distinguish between a post grad and undergrad masters though in a lot of cases. Yes some areas an undergrad masters is enough (for example engineering) but in other areas, if you don't want to do a PhD (so you can skip the postgrad masters before going into one) they can be esentially worthless employment wise.

I realise that an undergrad masters is different from a postgrad one. But what I am really saying is that more people are staying on beyond an ordinary three years for a bachelors (basic degree) to get a higher qualification (be it a postgrad or an undergrad masters.)

Fixed :3.

DPhil> all

 

[Elixir]

DPhil> all

Difference between PhD and DPhil?

 

[HarryPainful]

It would be interesting to see how many of the people in the OP have mickey mouse degrees.

 

[UK-AL05]

Difference between PhD and DPhil?

Same thing, different universities have different names for the phd/dphil

 

[PureAppleJuice]

Quite a few of my friends are doing further study, more as a means to avoid working though. Or at least, that's how I feel. I'm doing further study part-time over two years whilst working as frankly not earning any money was getting pretty tedious.

 

[IceBus]

Planning on doing an MPA myself next year hopefully. A degree is the new A-levels, a first is the new 2:1 and an MA is the new first.

For me the job requirements look like this in terms of requirements for career progression:

1-3 years of experience> 3yrs of experience + MA> 5-7 years of experience + MA> 10yrs of experience + MA/PhD.

 

[Dave]

Difference between PhD and DPhil?

Oxford vs the rest (not sure who else offers DPhil instead of PhD)

Although I suppose Cambridge is a little odd - the first year of PhD is technically a CPGS. I suppose other universities do things like MRes/MPhil as the first year, but the CPGS here has no taught component - just a dissertation, presentation and viva. Completing it just takes you into the secod year, although I think if you're deemed "surplus to requirements" you get shown the door with a certificate.

 

[Disco Boy]

It would be interesting to see how many of the people in the OP have mickey mouse degrees.

Okay:

Chemistry me: finished BSc, 2:1, going on to do a DPhil
Biochemistry #2: finished BSc, 1st, going on to do a PhD
Aeronautical engineering #3: chose to do a 4th year of his course to get a MEng instead of a BEng*
Aeronautical engineering #4: chose to do a 4th year of his course to get a MEng instead of a BEng*
#5: dentistry student

* it seems that if you actually want to use an engineering degree to become an engineer, you have to have a MEng these days

my girlfriends house
chemistry gf: chose to do a 4th year of her course to obtain a MSc instead of a BSc
History#2: finished BA, 1st, going on to do an MA
Theology #3: finished BA, 1st, going on to do an MA
Physics #4: finished BSc, 2:2, going to do an MSc
History #5: finished BA, 1st, taking a gap year to raise funds for an MA
Biology #6: finished a BSc, 1st, failed to secure a PhD place this year, will apply again
Aeronautical engineering#7: chose to do a 4th year of his course to get a MEng instead of a BEng
#8: medical student
#9: doing a law degree, not finished undergrad, but post-grad is required for employment
Physiology #10: extenuating circumstances, hasn't completed degree yet. won't be doing a post-grad


So I'd say, if being fair, none. None are communication studies or what have you. That said if you want to call physiology mickey mouse then be my guest! This is Bristol we are talking about, not a poly.

Difference between PhD and DPhil?

DPhil is what Oxford offer. Doctor of Philosophy vs. Philosophy Doctor...