Graduating from university - BA

[oligopoly]

For anyone who has obtained a univeristy degree - do you add the type of course (ie BA, BSc etc) to the end of your name or do you feel that doing so would be pretentious?!

[twiglet4frog]

never had a degree myself but i would have to say that it is up to u really and how confident it makes u feel. Most people i think only really add it in a career sense to highlight their professionalism

[Alcazar13]

Yeh sure, I would.  I will be graduating myself next year, and I will be damn proud of it!  It is a lifetime achievement, so go for it!

[acw]

It's not pretentious, it's just not always necessary.  Mine's an LLB, so that says is all really.  Actually, it's an LLB (Hons) and I CERTAINLY include the Hons - because I worked hard for it. 

It depends where you're using the letters.  If it's on a CV it would simply look stupid to add the subject afterwards.  In fact, on your CV you don't even need to put the degree letters after your name, because pretty much top of the page is the statement of when and where you earnt your degree. 

What context do you mean?

Whatever happens, a degree is something to be proud of and a little bit of pretention never hurt anyone!  I have every intention of writing "LLB (Hons) LLM" after my name from October 15th onwards!!! :-D

[kempie]

This from Debrett's Guide to Etiquette & Modern Manners

UNIVERSITY DEGREES
Doctorates in the faculties of Divinity and Medicine (DD, MD) and Masters degrees in the latter (e.g. MS) are given in all correspondence. Other divinity degrees (e.g. BD) are sometimes included.

Other degrees in medicine (e.g. MD, BS) are sometimes included, especially in professional correspondence, but if one progresses in the same degree only the higher is given.

Doctorates in other faculties are sometimes given, especially if the correspondence concerns the particular profession or subject (e.g. LLD, DSc). Alternatively (except for surgeons who are addressed as 'Mr, 'Mrs', etc), the envelope may be addressed as 'Doctor' before the name, without giving his or her degrees.

Other degrees are seldom, and MA and BA never, used in social correspondence, but they are generally included in a formal list.

[Mistopheles]

Depends on the circumstances. I am BA (Hons) and in 2 weeks will be 'and BAR' too (yay!). I use the full title in formal letters (i.e. when I'm complaining about something or trying to look important!), but not in everyday stuff. The exception is, I believe, Dr, as it goes before the name, not after. My Dad is a Dr (not a medical one, no) and always uses that - of course, that could just be him showing off.

[larakitten]

I have a degree and a post grad, only use the letters professionally at work, so on my business cards it reads my name followed by MA(Hons) PGCert.  I worked hard for those letters so im gonna use them!  I wouldnt use them for personal things, but find it reassures my clients at work when they realise they've seen a graduate..........!

x

[Sasha13]

I'm a BSc (Hons) but would never dream of using the letters after my name unless it was a very formal setting.

[oligopoly]

ok many good opinions offered. I guess the general consensus is that in a formal environment, it is either worth doing or i should feel i have 'the right' to include this suffix... Thanks.

Signing off now

Oligopoly BA (Hons)

 

 

:-)

[MargeB]

My lawyer writes NAME BA (Oxon). Woooo! I have a degree, and I went to Oxford. Get me!

I find it very helpful in social settings when people use letters after their name, it saves me going through a 2 hour conversation to work out they're a pretentious tw*t.

[MargeB]

and BA can represent anything from Garbage Subject, Garbage Uni, to Good subject, Good Uni.

No. Bad idea.

[MargeB]

yours, margeb, ma, phd, do, ray, me, llb, pcmcia, isdn.

[GracieC]

Marge B - your email made me chuckle! you're right!

I work in a law firm and if you've gone to Oxon or Cantab for that matter, it's inserted after your degree. Poor little me didn't go to either so I just get LLB, LLM still am very proud of my six letters!

[MargeB]

I think we should have a new answerbank category for 'Young single women with law degrees.'

How're you doin???

[GracieC]

I'm young and female but I'm not single. Very happily married! Oh! but as you're askin' - I'm doing well ta very much x

[MargeB]

LOL Gracie.

Marge B. BSc PhD (School o Hard Knocks)

[thugulike]

Yes it is pretentious.  The only time I use my letters is when I'm writing a reference.  Be proud and dignified.