UAE: Master's degree still valuable? Employers say no in survey

Khaleej Times

2 days ago

A recent global survey has reignited a debate over the value of Master's degrees, with hiring trends showing employers are placing growing importance on practical experience and job-ready skills over academic credentials — a sentiment that is increasingly echoed in the UAE.
Experts stressed that degrees are no longer a golden ticket, rather, they are one of many tools in a candidate's toolkit.
According to the survey conducted by Resume Genius involving 1,000 hiring managers in the United States, 52 per cent said that employees with Master's degrees perform no better than those with a bachelor's degree and two years of experience.
In fact, 10 per cent said the performance was worse. Yet, many still offer higher pay to candidates with advanced degrees, highlighting a lingering tension between perceived value and compensation expectations.
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Adaptable skillsets preferred
This global trend resonates strongly within the UAE's evolving job market. Local educators and hiring experts are reporting a significant shift in mindset among employers, with a growing preference for candidates who bring hands-on experience and adaptable skillsets over traditional academic qualifications.
'Over the past decade, the perceived value of a Master's degree has undergone a significant transformation shaped by evolving labor market demands, technological disruption, and shifting societal expectations,' said Dr Adam Fenech, Provost at Canadian University Dubai.
'Traditionally seen as a marker of academic prestige and a pathway to career advancement, the Master's degree is now increasingly evaluated through a more pragmatic lens.'
Educators like Dr Fenech are observing a surge in demand for micro-credentials, certifications, and modular learning. He explained that while traditional graduate programs still hold merit —particularly in cultivating integrative intelligence and ethical awareness — flexibility and real-world applicability have become critical to the educational value proposition.
In the UAE, where high-growth sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering are booming, higher education institutions are retooling to meet the demand for skill-first education models.
'There is a clear shift from valuing traditional academic prestige to prioritising practical, skill-based credentials,' said Abdul Razzak, Manager of Career Services at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus.
He noted that a 2023 LinkedIn report found 75 per cent of hiring managers now prioritise skills over formal degrees, while the World Economic Forum forecasts that over half of the global workforce will need reskilling by 2025.
'At our institute, the Practice School program offers students real-world industry exposure through structured internships, helping them build practical skills and workplace readiness. Meanwhile, the Career Services Department provides micro-certifications in high-demand areas such as AI, data analytics, PMP, Six Sigma, and cybersecurity—aligned with evolving industry needs. Together, these initiatives equip students with strong academic foundations and the hands-on skills essential for today's dynamic job market,' added Razzak.
Industry professionals pointed out the UAE's dynamic and diverse workforce has also shaped how professionals approach postgraduate education.
Degree not for prestige
Education consultants say that students now pursue Master's degrees not to check a box for employers, but to realign their careers with market trends or gain access to broader industry networks.
'For instance, someone with a background in engineering might now opt for a Master's in data analytics or business strategy to realign with evolving market demands,' said Varun Jain, CEO of UniHawk.
'Similarly, professionals in finance may pursue an MBA after gaining a few years of experience, not just for academic growth, but for the networking opportunities, case study exposure, and industry insights such programmes offer.'
In the private sector, recruiters see first-hand how employers are recalibrating their hiring strategies.
'From my experience in recruitment and what we see across industries, employers are weighing relevant experience much more heavily than academic qualifications,' said Aws Ismail, General Manager at Marc Ellis, Dubai.
'They're looking for plug and play talent… A Master's might help open doors or slightly distinguish a candidate's profile, but what really matters is a candidate's practical skills, mindset, and ability to use technology as an enabler."
Echoing that sentiment, Nickie Wilson, Executive Director of Genie Recruitment, noted that very few clients specifically request candidates with Master's degrees.
'The only exception tends to be tech startups or VC-backed companies who occasionally request an MBA from a globally recognised institution. But overall most of our clients don't even require a bachelor's degree, let alone a Master's,' she said.
'Personally, I've always believed that pursuing a Master's should be a decision made later in life… Experience in most cases trumps education," she added.