Job Discussion Forums

[dialogger]

Post Grad study in West � any ideas?
I�m trying to give advice to my students thinking of studying in Western (English-speaking countries).
Any thoughts, experiences that can help? Best countries, institutions, courses i.e. a masters level qualification or a lesser post grad diploma?
In particular interested in views of cost benefit - especially enhanced job prospects on return.

[Welshguy]

Hi,

You would be better off accessing preferred institutions via their web sites and stuff, its a lot of information. Many institutions now run grad recruitment schemes and take part in education related expos all over the place and will be only too keen to talk to you for as long as you want to talk!!

Generally as far as the UK goes overseas students are a very popular group of people nowadays as they pay lots and lots of cash to be here.
Some institutions have that brand thing that impresses snobs everywhere.
In terms of MBA's you would be thinking INSEAD, Harvard and the like.
Alleged 'lesser institutions' may not be so heavy on the fees but lose out on snob value. The benefits are in the eye of the beholder. As long as people in asia perceive that paying that money, taking the trip and doing the course will leapfrog them over their contemoraries then they will continue to pay. I wouldnt of course deny the benefits of living in a foreign culture or three and think that in a very competitive chinese market that the understanding they will gain of dealing with westerners etc could well make a difference. Certainly many potential students seem to think so. How that stacks up against blatant nepotism or buying your way into a position I really dont know.

W

[dialogger]

Hehehe!
Thanks Welshguy.
You're a China hand to be sure!
The 'status' (or snob value) of a uni is palpable even within China.
My employer a provincial uni in lower part of the first tier asked Junior (3rd year) English majors, how many were going to sign up for post grad study here.
Not one intends to do that.
They all intend to try and get into a higher ranked uni (ie further up the first tier) to do post grad.
Our post grad class will be students who have done their first degree at upper tier 2 universities.
Orwellian (some are more equal than others) BUT SO TRUE!