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Original poster

To ask what you would think about someone that had masters degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge?

417 replies

Zorbing · 02/07/2021 18:23

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
SeeYouInFive · 02/07/2021 23:16

Depends on the subjects. If they’ve got two Oxbridge MAs in media studies and geography then I’d wonder what they were wasting their time for.

If they’ve got two MAs in highly relevant fields to the job they’re applying for, then I’d consider them a very strong candidate.

Pleasegodgotosleep · 02/07/2021 23:20

I'd think they were intellectually fortunate but - unless they want to become an academic - would wonder when they're going to get a job?

MareMare · 02/07/2021 23:22

God, this thread is bringing out as many weird attitudes as the ones about having books ‘on display’.

peachyandkeen · 02/07/2021 23:24

@MareMare

God, this thread is bringing out as many weird attitudes as the ones about having books ‘on display’.
😂😂
peachyandkeen · 02/07/2021 23:25

@MareMare

God, this thread is bringing out as many weird attitudes as the ones about having books ‘on display’.
Any chance you could link that thread about having books on display? I just did a search but can’t find it! Unless it’s been taken down.
Puppysharness · 02/07/2021 23:26

@SeeYouInFive

Depends on the subjects. If they’ve got two Oxbridge MAs in media studies and geography then I’d wonder what they were wasting their time for.

If they’ve got two MAs in highly relevant fields to the job they’re applying for, then I’d consider them a very strong candidate.

Oxbridge don’t offer courses in media studies! Ha

I’d probably wonder why she needed to do two masters degrees- presumably there is a reason? Was there a career change involved? But I’d wonder that regardless of whether she studied at Oxbridge or somewhere else.

Agree with the posters who’ve said Oxbridge Masters are easier to get in for than undergrad, so I’d assume she was smart but wouldn’t be blown away.

I don’t think this would colour my opinion of them enormously, to be honest.

Womencanlift · 02/07/2021 23:34

If they had worked alongside getting the degrees I would commend their work ethic

If they had back to back degrees from school and were now late 20s (or older) with no work experience then I would likely overlook them for someone who did have experience in the field

I have a family member who is now on their third degree, about to hit 30 and has no work experience relevant to their degree. They are convinced they will walk into a job because of their education, I and others who he has spoken to about it have advised him that may not be the case especially in the current job market. We will see what happens

MareMare · 02/07/2021 23:35

There have been loads of them @peachyandkeen, but probably not called that, but about different things, like Kindles or bookshelves, or interior design, that end up being about the massive intellectual show-off that is apparently having shelves of books.

thing47 · 02/07/2021 23:36

You can now get a student loan to undertake a masters course but its circa 11k I think so won't cover fees + living expenses that's for sure, and in the majority of cases wouldn't even cover fees in their entirety.

Yes Zorbing you are correct – DD is in the middle of a Masters at the moment, funded by a student loan of £11K (we aren't wealthy and are not in a position to contribute).

It does cover course fees but with only about £1K left over so she is having to live at home while she studies. I think DH and I are enjoying having her home more than DD is enjoying being here Grin

FWIW I would think anyone who has a Masters from Oxford or Cambridge is clever and hard-working. I think someone who has Masters from both possibly had a point to prove, either to herself or to someone else.

I would definitely want to know more about how and why it happened (not necessarily in a negative way though).

Sittingonabench · 02/07/2021 23:54

I wouldn’t really think anything of studying masters in these places. The fact they studied 2 masters says quite a lot about their work ethic and dedication to academic development which is a huge positive. But when it comes to masters it is a different ball game compared to undergrad. There are bias that would probably enter my head if it was an undergrad and I would try to be aware of that if I were in onboarding.

Potteringshed · 02/07/2021 23:55

If both are academic subjects, I'd assume the second is a failed PhD, as that's very common if you have managed to complete a year or more but your supervisor doesn't think you're going to make it in research - they say nicely that the time spent can go towards a Master's but there is no point coming back next year.

If one is academic, like history, and the other is more focused, like archive management, I'd assume the second was an attempt to turn an academic passion into a job.

andora82 · 03/07/2021 00:08

I would like 'bloody hell, good for her!' She must have worked her arse off and would be an asset.

DeflatedGinDrinker · 03/07/2021 00:13

Depends if its Oxford Brooks 😂

Patapouf · 03/07/2021 00:14

I'd assume privileged background to allow them to avoid the world of work for so long faffing about collecting post grad qualifications.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 03/07/2021 00:15

I'd probably think they were a bit work shy - and probably from a wealthy family as most people need to get out and start earning ASAP.

Soulstirring · 03/07/2021 00:34

I’d think she had far too much time on her hands to enable her to study for so long, I guess therefore very fortunate

douliket · 03/07/2021 00:37

I'm sorry but I must not get the question. Why does it matter or how would you even know. Is a degree not a degree in the UK if it comes from certain colleges or universities? Does it not give you same access to job opportunities if you have a degree from the local university??

Original poster
Zorbing · 03/07/2021 00:52

@douliket

I'm sorry but I must not get the question. Why does it matter or how would you even know. Is a degree not a degree in the UK if it comes from certain colleges or universities? Does it not give you same access to job opportunities if you have a degree from the local university??
Because like it or not, the reality is that not all universities are viewed equally, and indeed not all universities were created equally. Thats not to say that the Oxbridge duo are necessarily better than the others, but they're undoubtedly better than say...an old polytechnic (unless, perhaps, you want to do a very specialist course that isn't really available at Oxbridge).

It is a marker of intellect and academic elitism to have attending Oxbridge.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zorbing · 03/07/2021 00:52

@douliket

I'm sorry but I must not get the question. Why does it matter or how would you even know. Is a degree not a degree in the UK if it comes from certain colleges or universities? Does it not give you same access to job opportunities if you have a degree from the local university??
No - doesn't give you the same access. You are hugely advantaged if you went to a certain university - namely, Oxbridge or Russell-Group.
OP posts:
Elys3 · 03/07/2021 00:59

I would be curious about why they have two masters degrees. Is one an MA and the other an MSc or MRes? Did they change career? Did they start a PhD?

FlyingBattie · 03/07/2021 01:01

Intelligent, but likely with a lot of opportunities and connections.

Hawkins001 · 03/07/2021 01:17

@Zorbing

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

Id say, a promising candidate. Plus as they usually begin on a trial basis , see how they do and fit with the team.
Hawkins001 · 03/07/2021 01:27

@Zorbing

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

Was the candidate hired ?
Sarahzb · 03/07/2021 01:34

Have you talked to them? See what she is like.

TheWagesOfSin · 03/07/2021 01:37

I'd think they should crack on and get a job.

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