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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:
BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 02/07/2021 18:31

People do know that a lot of people do master's degrees part time while working FT, and that some people also get fully funded by their employers... right?

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/07/2021 18:32

Bloody clever.

Arbadacarba · 02/07/2021 18:32

You don't say whether the two degrees are in related or in totally different disciplines - or whether either of them led, or is likely to lead, to a career.

If they're closely related, I'd wonder why she went down the route of two Masters, rather than a Masters then a doctorate in her chosen subject.

In short, I'd need to know much more to have an opinion on the person's chosen path.

Polkadots2021 · 02/07/2021 18:32

@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.

It's awesome to have two Oxbridge masters, I'd wonder more why a person would have two, though? I guess it's generally known as the poster upthread said that postgraduate degrees aren't as competitive to get into as an Oxbridge undergrad, so if the idea is to maybe do a second, it might invite that kind of comment. But it's noone else's business really, she should do what she wants and be proud of it!
MayIDestroyYou · 02/07/2021 18:32

Well, a Masters need only take one year, so ...

I know several people with one (studied for) Oxbridge MA and another from a conservatoire. They're invariably both wondrously intelligent and staggeringly talented. More interesting people, on the whole than those with two purely academic MAs.

cadburyegg · 02/07/2021 18:32

I’d probably think they were very clever and academic but not “worldly wise”.

Livingintheclouds · 02/07/2021 18:33

Not sure I'd think anything other than they like to study. Depends what they got those degrees in too.

Original poster
Zorbing · 02/07/2021 18:34

@FoggyDay58

I'd think she had unresolved issues about not having read for her undergrad degree at Oxbridge.

From the holder of a studied-for Oxbridge Masters.

Haha! This is exactly what one of my colleagues said. I didn't even know this was a thing until today!
OP posts:
TheDevils · 02/07/2021 18:34

It would very much depend on a wide range of factors.
I have lots of postgraduate qualifications but I won a scholarship for one and all the others have been paid for by my employer- they're not from Oxford or Cambridge though!

BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 02/07/2021 18:34

If you have this information because she made a professional and formal application to you, I think this thread is really not on. If it were me and I found out you'd done this (and it would be very easy to identify yourself in this) I'd be raising controlled hell.

Original poster
Zorbing · 02/07/2021 18:34

@Wearywithteens

I would assume that they would be clueless about how the vast majority of ordinary people live their lives.
Is that a fair assessment though?
OP posts:
AlfonsoTheMango · 02/07/2021 18:36

@fat13

I think anyone with two masters degrees perhaps likes being a student a bit too much tbh.
That's a peculiar attitude. Maybe the person likes learning.
senua · 02/07/2021 18:36

@fat13

I think anyone with two masters degrees perhaps likes being a student a bit too much tbh.
My thoughts, too. If the first degree and the two second degrees were in disparate subjects I'd wonder, too
Bryonyshcmyony · 02/07/2021 18:36

@FoggyDay58

I'd think she had unresolved issues about not having read for her undergrad degree at Oxbridge.

From the holder of a studied-for Oxbridge Masters.

Ha ha this is what I thought but only because dd got rejected from Oxford and is planning her masters there
Fuckitfuckit · 02/07/2021 18:36

I'd assume intelligent, I'd assume from a wealthy family.
Im afraid that I would probably not put them down as someone who's particularly hard working, if they took the time to study 2 full time degrees its a luxury to be able to spend that sort of time continuing to learn if you already have a degree which could put you in work.
However, my viewpoint wouldn't matter for much, as that sort of situation is so far removed from the experiences I have faced in my life, I don't think I'd ever meet such a person!

Good luck to them, but I'd wonder, slightly why another degree was needed, and judge whether they just wanted to put off proper adulthood. Will they want a 3rd? Will they decide mid 50s they want to pack up their career and get a 3rd/4th/5th degree?

headintheproverbial · 02/07/2021 18:36

My husband does. He is mainly very intelligent and hard working. Also privileged (although family was not wealthy - I mean privileged in the sense of male, white, middle class, educated).

Bryonyshcmyony · 02/07/2021 18:37

Is that a fair assessment though?

Of course it isn't

Arbadacarba · 02/07/2021 18:37

The degrees may not have been self-funded, or wholly self-funded. If the person managed to get funding for both of them, they must have convinced a body of experts in their chosen field that their studies were worthwhile.

Nancydrawn · 02/07/2021 18:37

Why in the world would you assume the person was a dickhead?

That's a weird and defensive reaction, and says more about the person holding it than the person who has a couple degrees.

TheDevils · 02/07/2021 18:38

I think anyone with two masters degrees perhaps likes being a student a bit too much tbh

That's a peculiar attitude. Maybe the person likes learning.

And maybe they studied while working 🤷🏼‍♀️

Camomila · 02/07/2021 18:38

I'd think they were very clever but not necessarily financially privileged. I've got two (not from Oxbridge) and grew up working class (one was fully funded, the second was part time to make it cheaper and paid for out of savings/inheritance from my grandad).

TaraR2020 · 02/07/2021 18:38

@Longestfewdaysupcoming

I’d think they were very fortunate.
Me too.

People with Oxbridge degrees aren't necessarily more intelligent than those without them (some people might choose not to go for a start, or hot housed through private schools) but they're fortunate to have degrees that will have brought them lifelong benefits (contacts and prestige). That's before you even get to the fact that they're fortunate to have had the money to do it.

AlfonsoTheMango · 02/07/2021 18:39

I would think the person intelligent and hard-working and would love to chat with her to find out more about her studies.

cathcath2 · 02/07/2021 18:39

It depends what they are in, what they did next etc etc. I know someone with two masters - the second one was funded and necessary for her job.

Original poster
Zorbing · 02/07/2021 18:39

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity

If you have this information because she made a professional and formal application to you, I think this thread is really not on. If it were me and I found out you'd done this (and it would be very easy to identify yourself in this) I'd be raising controlled hell.
I haven't provided any identifying information though? e.g sector
OP posts:
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