Job Discussion Forums

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

I did post this on the general forum but I know how many times posts do not get the same attention as on the Saudi forum.

A friend of mine asked me a question which I don't have the answer for...but I know some people that may....

He's been teaching for a good few years now (inside and outside the Middle East). He's now going to do an MA in Linguistics but here's the question.

He's been accepted to Cambridge/Oxford/Birmingham but all the MA's are strictly theory based and a real turn off. The one course that interests him is from Luton University.

There's the dilemma! Luton does not carry anywhere near the same name/prestige as Cambridge and Co. In University rankings (as they relate to language degrees) Luton is about 30/100.

So after he completes the MA then how much difference will it make in landing a good job? Will people look at a MA from Luton much differently than an MA from UCL or Cambridge?

That's the question that needs your help!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Dear Jim,
Cambridge and Oxford MA's are gven automatically after three years of obtaining the BA (somebody in an interview once said it was "buy one and get one free'). I think the degree will be an M.Phil

If he's thinking of Saudi emplpyment tell him to be careful of any university that became one in 1992-1993 or later. The only "approved" list some places have dates frmo 1408AH (now is 1424) so they don't figure. And Luton wasn't given the right to grant postgraduate degrees until 2001.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Thanks Stephen!

Important points but could you just clarify for me:

That Luton would not be on the approved list for Saudi? If so then I'd have to tell him not to bother with Luton. It's a shame as I was emailed a report from the Guardian which paints them in a pretty good light! Especially the quality of their teaching (12th Nationwide and about 56th overall out of 120ish)

After looking at the syllabus of Luton I can see why he liked it as it's very practical as opposed to pure theory.

So do you know of any other Universities that he could contact with a similar program to Luton but would be better for when he wants to find work in Saudi?

Oh and where could we get the 'approved ' list from?

Thanks