4 ms·

As far as I am aware, Cambridge didn't even offer a Master's in Computer Science until relatively recently, only the BA (MPhil added in 2009–10, MEng added in 2

As far as I am aware, Cambridge didn't even offer a Master's in Computer Science until relatively recently, only the BA (MPhil added in 2009–10, MEng added in 2011–12), so I find it difficult to believe that is the prevailing attitude (at least in the UK).

gaius 9y ago
Oxbridge master's degrees aren't "real" tho' - from time to time there are attempts in Parliament to crack down on them, but too many vested interests have them https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8318460/Oxbridge-students-MA-degrees-under-threat.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/83...
- stordoff 9y ago
  You are referring to the MA (Cantab.) / MA (Oxon.) which are conferred to BA graduates six to seven years from matriculation, and indicates rank within the university. This is why I said Cambridge _didn't_ offer a Master's in Computer Science. The MPhil/MEng are absolutely real qualifications, requiring an additional year's study and a substantial research project.
  - gaius 9y ago
    They are never used like that - people always say “I have a Masters in whatever from Oxford”. It’s a deliberate misdirection.
    - stordoff 9y ago
      I studied at Cambridge, and I have _never_ heard "Master's in X" used to describe the MA (Cantab.). It's simply wrong - the MA is not a subject specific qualifications - and can be trivially checked by employers - neither degree certificate (the BA or MA) states subject[1], and the degree transcript will indict you only took undergraduate level courses. As a result, the phasing is typically "I have an undergraduate degree in X"/"I did my undergrad. at Cambridge". If people are using it to be misleading, that isn't really Cambridge's problem -- anywhere it matters, people can ask for proof (the transcript), and there is a fair chance the person is being misleading in other ways as well. [1] Example BA certificate: https://i.stack.imgur.com/VTWUb.png https://i.stack.imgur.com/VTWUb.png All undergraduate degrees are the Bachelor of Arts, regardless of subject (except Law, which is the LL.B.).

gaius 9y ago

Oxbridge master's degrees aren't "real" tho' - from time to time there are attempts in Parliament to crack down on them, but too many vested interests have them https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8318460/Oxbridge-students-MA-degrees-under-threat.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/83...

stordoff 9y ago
You are referring to the MA (Cantab.) / MA (Oxon.) which are conferred to BA graduates six to seven years from matriculation, and indicates rank within the university. This is why I said Cambridge _didn't_ offer a Master's in Computer Science. The MPhil/MEng are absolutely real qualifications, requiring an additional year's study and a substantial research project.
- gaius 9y ago
  They are never used like that - people always say “I have a Masters in whatever from Oxford”. It’s a deliberate misdirection.
  - stordoff 9y ago
    I studied at Cambridge, and I have _never_ heard "Master's in X" used to describe the MA (Cantab.). It's simply wrong - the MA is not a subject specific qualifications - and can be trivially checked by employers - neither degree certificate (the BA or MA) states subject[1], and the degree transcript will indict you only took undergraduate level courses. As a result, the phasing is typically "I have an undergraduate degree in X"/"I did my undergrad. at Cambridge". If people are using it to be misleading, that isn't really Cambridge's problem -- anywhere it matters, people can ask for proof (the transcript), and there is a fair chance the person is being misleading in other ways as well. [1] Example BA certificate: https://i.stack.imgur.com/VTWUb.png https://i.stack.imgur.com/VTWUb.png All undergraduate degrees are the Bachelor of Arts, regardless of subject (except Law, which is the LL.B.).