Higher or lower? University rankings and job hunting on PostgraduateForum.com

Higher or lower? University rankings and job hunting

GrumpyMule 127 posts
9 years ago

So, I'm nearing submission (aiming for before Christmas) and funds are running low. Chatting to my supervisor about jobs, he is very supportive and regrets that they are not taking on research fellows in my department. I suggested a particular university at which I could see myself working and said that I was thinking about applying to work there. My supervisor's response was that I should aim higher because their rank isn't very good. My current university and our department are both very mid-table.

Should I be put off high ranking departments or apply for jobs in those anyway? Would my chances differ from those candidates from higher ranking departments?

Can a doctoral candidate from a mid-ranking department apply to say Oxford or would her application be laughed at!? :-/

Thanks for reading

GM

NB. 2016 league tables here...

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/

Dunham 303 posts
9 years ago

Quote From GrumpyMule:
So, I'm nearing submission (aiming for before Christmas) and funds are running low. Chatting to my supervisor about jobs, he is very supportive and regrets that they are not taking on research fellows in my department. I suggested a particular university at which I could see myself working and said that I was thinking about applying to work there. My supervisor's response was that I should aim higher because their rank isn't very good. My current university and our department are both very mid-table.

Should I be put off high ranking departments or apply for jobs in those anyway? Would my chances differ from those candidates from higher ranking departments?

Can a doctoral candidate from a mid-ranking department apply to say Oxford or would her application be laughed at!? :-/

Thanks for reading

GM

NB. 2016 league tables here...

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/

I would say it depends on your accomplishments. I don't think that the ranking of the university plays a big role because that does not really say anything about you personally. If you have a PhD from Oxford but your publication record shows mediocrity then high ranked universities are probably not interested in you. On the other hand you can have magnificent scientific accomplishments at a low ranked university that opens the door to a higher ranked university.

pd1598 207 posts
9 years ago

I don't know - I personally think if you need a job, you go where ever the jobs are? And who cares if your application gets laughed at, on the other hand you might be just what they are looking for.

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From GrumpyMule:
My supervisor's response was that I should aim higher because their rank isn't very good. M

Yes, that was my supervisor's response to my current job. He wasn't happy with it, but it was the only one I got so I had to take it. I hope to be able to get something better next time round. I think supervisors just want the best for us. It's a compliment really.

Higher or lower? University rankings and job hunting

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