Job Discussion Forums

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

Hello,

As I am doing my MA, I can't help but think about how important GPA would be to Universities Saudi Arabia. I know Saudis look to see degrees and certifications, but how much do they focus on GPA?

So, for example, here in the states, it taints your degree if it comes with a GPA under 3.0. Would that be the case in Saudi? I understand different employers will have different expectations, but in general, are they more or less concerned with GPA than what we see in the West?

johnslat · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:53 pm Post subject:

Dear soheeb16,

Though I'm loathe to make a sweeping generalization (I ALWAYS am), my experience would indicate that for most, maybe all, Saudi employers, the GPA in irrelevant.

The degree is what matters (and the fact that it's NOT an on-line degree still matters to many/most.)

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I'm with Johnslat; prospective employers will be interested in your degree major, degree level, mode of instruction (distance/online vs. on campus), your university's accreditation, and of course, that you completed the degree program.

Obviously, to satisfactorily finish the program means that you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all graduate coursework undertaken. However, if any of your course grades fall below 3.0, you can retake those same classes to improve your mark. It's just costly to do so. Anyway, applying for admissions into graduate programs tends to be very challenging and daunting for some applicants. But this is a way for the university to see if the applicant is capable of studying at the graduate level, which translates to maintaining that 3.0 or above GPA.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

GPA? No, but they do take an intersest in LEAGUE TABLES. They like universities that are near the top of those lists published by whoever that let us know that MIT is better than Woopwoop University.

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

Oh okay. It's good to know. Obviously I'd want the best, but its good to have some reassurance if I don't do as well as expected for classes here and there.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

PeterParvo · Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 103

Does it even make sense to do an online MA for the ME?

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

Bear in mind that many of us with MAs don't have a GPAs. British universities, for example, don't use such a system. Nor do we have transcripts. At least, none of this was around in 2002 when I got my MA. If things have changed, it would be useful to know that.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 1:18 pm Post subject:

Dear plumpy nut,

"They don't appear to like online degrees anymore."

Anymore? I don't think there was a time they ever did.

Regards,
John