Posted By Edward Shyer Which is the highest qualification, a bachelors degree or a masters degree?.

Posted By clairel It goes: Batchelors Post graduate Certificate (optional) Masters PhD You can't do a Masters without doing a Bachelors first but the Masters does not have to be in the same subject as the Bachelor degree. Entry requirements to the Masters (& Post Grad cert) will depend on what the individual university will accept as comparable knowledge. Not quite sure I undertood what was meant by the previous post. A Masters is higher than a Bachelors whatever the universities or subjects.

Posted By clairel Andy, it's a good job that I wouldn't want to work for such an elitist employer then! Luckily I've never had a problem getting work despite my qualifications not being from top tier universities. In fact I even turned down entry to one of the top 5 universities in the country becuase I felt the university was too 'stuffy' for me. I personally found that the grade of my degree (an upper second) was the key factor. Anything less than that (regardless of the degree or university) wouldn't have been accepted for entry to some positions. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Posted By clairel You are right. I was wrong to say you cannot do a Masters without a bachelors but it is not a common route or option. Some universities will accept entry onto a Masters without the Bachelor. This is unusual though and is usually reserved for 'mature' students who can show evidence of prior learning to an equal level, combined with relevant knowledge and experience.

Posted By Richard Altoft just to clarify my first answer -- there are "universities" that are not accredited the way our UK ones are and there are subjects that are not subject to rigorous examination of their content by professional bodies such IOSH or Royal College of veterinary medicine or Medical council etc. Not sure that MPhil is higher than MSc or MA but I am prepared to be educated on that one. Some certificates and diplomas are higher than others. My son is a degree qualified VET and now he wants to be a horse dentistry specialist he has to have a certificate which he says is much tougher than original degree. (perhaps because he is paying for it this time !!)Certainly when he gets it it will not be akin to a NEBOSH certificate etc. R

Posted By Raymond Rapp ...or leading to a PhD.