tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post8325090563403607368..comments2024-03-27T16:39:43.522+00:00Comments on Liberal England: Oxford and Cambridge MAsJonathan Calderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-51084657997523880632011-10-21T23:45:25.012+01:002011-10-21T23:45:25.012+01:00I think this is a welcome distraction for some of ...I think this is a welcome distraction for some of our top employers, which helps to mask the argument of what they're actually doing now in attempt to address what they may have been doing a decade ago - that they've since moved on from.<br /><br />If you walk into somewhere like, for example, Towers Watson (this is not my employer, this is from observation) and asked where the majority of their recent graduate intake come from, the answer would be Bristol, Warwick and City. Some Cambridge, but not nearly as many for many different reasons.<br /><br />It matters more that you are consistently high performer yet went to these specific universities, as senior people there did the same courses (i.e. mathematics) and have since determined the contents of courses at these universities, to ensure they hire people with the right knowledge and skills.<br /><br />Oxbridge graduates benefit from the ability to develop a different type of network of contacts giving them different routes into the job market. They are more likely to innovate and take risks with slightly more unusual routes into work to make them appear more distinctive. Yet, not all will use this to their advantage and there are always more people than opportunities.<br /><br />I think it's false that there is some kind of idea that there is competition between those that have these paid and unpaid MAs. Of course most employers won't know the difference, because most employers are not top employers!<br /><br />I am not defending the status quo, I think the argument is a distraction and debating this through the myopic, shared political lense, ignores the bigger issues.Alan Muhammedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203154748346910148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-79161410975565972022011-02-18T18:29:17.307+00:002011-02-18T18:29:17.307+00:00Hugh Muir has single-handedly wrecked the wonderfu...Hugh Muir has single-handedly wrecked the wonderful reputation that the Guardian Diary used to have in the days of Rusbridger and even Matthew Norman.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-50100388133141579732011-02-17T10:10:01.945+00:002011-02-17T10:10:01.945+00:00Some people who sent in a cheque may also have don...Some people who sent in a cheque may also have done so because it means you get another fun ceremony to go to with your family and friends, and to catch up with other people you graduated with, rather than because they particularly want the letters "MA". It can be a bit like a post-graduation catch-up party.<br /><br />So I wouldn't be surprised if there are plenty of people who have paid for their MA who also think that the system should be changed.Mark Packhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596137350950820090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-1281757716042409452011-02-17T06:59:04.031+00:002011-02-17T06:59:04.031+00:00Recently I was reminded by a Dublin graduate that ...Recently I was reminded by a Dublin graduate that they are the third cohort who also get their MA the same way.dreamingspirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00324207120279777521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-52270590874020195982011-02-16T23:31:45.935+00:002011-02-16T23:31:45.935+00:00If you read the debate you will see that Ming the ...If you read the debate you will see that Ming the Merciless made that point - by a rather wily route.Jonathan Calderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-12683337965357586042011-02-16T23:15:04.151+00:002011-02-16T23:15:04.151+00:00Of course some of us have MAs from Scottish Univer...Of course some of us have MAs from Scottish Universities, where it is the standard degree for arts and social science courses.<br /><br />You'd have thought someone with a name like Leslie might know about this...Dan Falchikovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10202541499332901648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-24281036791019564842011-02-16T22:56:52.238+00:002011-02-16T22:56:52.238+00:00It is not a Masters though. It should be treated a...It is not a Masters though. It should be treated as one of those historical quirks which usually love.<br /><br />It's not meant to signify further learning either, although it is mistaken for that all too often.<br /><br />Frankly I don't see what business it is of parliament anyway. <br /><br />I honestly cannot remember whether I claimed mine, I know I didn't attend the ceremony. I would probably put BA on a CV though (at which point some smart arse would no doubt imply I'm not of good character as I don't have the MA)Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15395992764678278326noreply@blogger.com