Job Discussion Forums

travelinhobo · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 35 Location: U.S.

A light possibly came on in my head yesterday. On many of the job posts, I see 'degree required'. On a few I have seen '4-year degree required'. On some I have seen 'university or college degree required'. Of those of you who have work experience, what does 'degree required' mean to the majority of employers?? Does the AA degree (2-year basic classes) hold any power as a degree?? I'm close to finishing the AA up and this would great if it helps! Thanks!!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

In Japan, degree means bachelor's degree. Associate's degree won't cut it.

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

merlin · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 5:42 am Post subject:

Here in Czech they have a 3-year "Bachelor's Degree" it's officially equivalent to a 4-year US/UK degree. I'm sure it's possible to find a 3-year program somewhere.

If you can find an institution that provides a 2-year bachelor's degree, good luck. But it may give you limited opportunities.

It's also possible to complete a 4-year degree in 2 and a half years if you take the maximum number of credits allowed, have no social life and take courses during breaks instead of going on holiday. Wink

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tedkarma · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject:

Many countries don't accept three-year BA/BS degrees. Of course, if they don't look too closely . . .

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

merlin · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 6:47 am Post subject:

Mine was a 7-year BA degree. Wink

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

Posting the same question on the Newbie and the General Forum. Why?

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Spinoza,
I've never seen an ad say they will accept a 4 year degree from NA and not a 3 year degree from the UK.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I think I'm losing the plot here.

An undergraduate will have a 3 year or a four year Bachelors degree and will have graduated with the same said degree.

A Masters (graduate ) will have another 1-2 years on top of the Bachelors degree. So that will mean a minimum of 4-5 years for a British Masters graduate, and 5-6 for a US Masters graduate.

Most countries an undergraduate can not get a work visa if they have not graduated so I assume both of these have graduated with some kind of university degree.

Are you saying a British BA from Oxford is better than a tinpot Masters degree from a small no-name college in the US?

When you say undergraduate and graduate of each university what exactly are you referring to?

Are you saying some countries will not accept a legitimate 3 year degree from an accredited UK university, but accept a 4-year degree from anywhere else?

This is the first time I have ever heard this suggested, as once you have a BA that is what you are, a graduate and therefore qualify for a work visa.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I'm with Paul here. I can't see an employer or immigration denying a UK BA degree because it is not 4 years. I think they say 4 years because it weeds out the 2 year diplomas. A BA is a BA. Perhaps someone has some first hand experience of being denied because they had a 3 year BA. Certainly it would be an exception it would seem.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

My BA (Hons) from an English university was a 3-year degree, though I studied for 4 years as one year (my third of study) was spent abroad at a German university. This is common for language degrees.

I can confirm from experience that states which insist on a 4-year degree automatically accept English 3-year degrees at least.