Letters After A Name

CVRO · Dec 4, 2019

What letters after names do not make clear:

- What's the quality of the letters? Has the person gone to Harvard or have they got the letters from a degree-mill sort of organisation?
- Has the person got a first or just scrapped through?
- Most importantly: Can the person apply whatever academic knowledge they have acquired in real life issues?
I have seen far too many academic-gifted people who could barely function outside an academic environment.

Martin Kennington · Dec 4, 2019

I agree that they're only relevant/required when used to denote professional accreditation/body membership. Strangely, the only times I tend to see BA (hons), MBA, Dip whatever etc is on LinkedIn profiles or email signatures of recruiters or biz dev guys who invariably make me question how on earth they got those qualifications in the first place...

bodgitt&scarperLTD · Dec 4, 2019

paulears said:
The trouble is that these letters only mean something to a few, and to others who don't understand, they seem a little pretentious. When I worked in the education world, I was Principal Examiner for one of the A Levels, and had a big team. The matter of names and letters came up quite a lot, and the accepted unofficial rule was simply that those with a Doctorate would always me Dr Brown, or Dr Smith, and the rest of us would be Mr James or Mrs Green, and a few ms. The only time you'd see letters after their names was when they were members of the various institutions, guilds and charter organisations where membership was the decider - and only when they wrote in official capacity. So somebody complaining or asking for a final decision would have the letters. Anyone signing a general form with Fred Smith PhD always drew a smirk from some truly great academic who only ever signed just their name. The worst example and the cause of many unpleasant Mickey taking sessions were this who signed with MbA after their name, and the joke was they were always ex-teachers, promoted out of teaching (because they were pretty bad at it) and got business Master's Degrees.

Why should a doctorate be any different? Unless you are a qualified doctor in the medical sense, it's just showboating. A true doctor can save my life- an academic doctor has just studied diligently.

A.Friend · Dec 5, 2019

Hi imo i think everyone has given good advice, none, even the pratt. Was negative. As you stated it in your original post

I too agree with a poster above, a lot of people wont know what many things mean

Some people like Judges, MPs etc they want people to see stature, and most common or regular people, think all MP are lying thieving scum, basically... Or all they all talk out theis ass, but they have letters after their names...

Most do not even know the price of a bus ride, yet they run the country...

As the smiley guy posted Only Fools DIC, Teresa May MP, DIC, Head,

If it makes you feel proud to have a degree, and letters, use it where you feel its right,

People of your professions, will know you have those degrees, as they more than likely bought them online or actually studied as well,

Or like in the case of my landlord Bally Chohan, he just made it up on the fly, and thus people knew he was a TIT & DIC, head.

for some things, letters do look great and important, it makes others think someone did well, and achieved something, where they did not manage to, and again others just think, its being a big head.

Be proud of your degrees and qualifications, if you earned them honestly, and work with heart and are trust worthy, then by all means by proud.

If anything, just show the parents so they can dote and scream theyre baby got an ologly.

Imo use it how you feel, and just be yourself.

A.Friend · Dec 5, 2019

This is a really good & interesting thread,so many great replies & opinions, well done to everyone.

Chris one is very interesting, some people never let go of their status, as then they are just regular people again, my brother was in military, he doesnt use his status, but many do, as the old kids joke says, what do you call postman pat, after he retires?

Pat.

UKSPD doctors want people to know they are doctors, women seem to look up to then a lot, but most gp, dr are not very nice or polite people and they are not very good in some respects at being a dr... They just go by what you tell them you think is wrong with you, and then use their memory to look to which page in their outdated book for which pills you dont actually need before they say NEXT.

Surgeons have very trained skills, but can make mistakes, so being a Mr might be less chance the USA citizens can sue them for something lol all imo. I dont know but good point you have.

This is a really good site full of a lot of people who know a lot about business and life, and unlike the dragons... Who i dont trust from seeing a few episides, the people here do offer good advice, and i think this is their retreat, they get home from work pop on here to unwind, and help a few if they can do, and to pick up a few ideas too, you seem like a lot of great people imo.

And you have some great businesses, opportunities, knowledge and help in your signatures, you are everything, any business can need in one place.

Well done to all of you.

UKSBD · Dec 5, 2019

A.Friend said:
Surgeons have very trained skills, but can make mistakes, so being a Mr might be less chance the USA citizens can sue them for something lol all imo. I dont know but good point you have.

Reading a bit more in to it.

Apparently it dates back to medieval times, Doctors had to study, similar to university students, where as surgeons were more hands on learning, similar to apprenticeships.

I don't think I'll ask him if he's an equivalent to a Level 5 NVQ next time I see him though

SERC1204 · Dec 5, 2019

UKSBD said:
What I find strange is, I go to hospital, see numerous doctors but the top guy who operated on me is a Mr.

I believe it's down to how physicians and surgeons used to train separately. Physicians trained in an academic environment and earned the degree of doctor of medicine (although it is no longer "doctor" in the UK), whereas surgeons trained on the job.

UKSBD · Dec 5, 2019

SERC1204 said:
I believe it's down to how physicians and surgeons used to train separately. Physicians trained in an academic environment and earned the degree of doctor of medicine (although it is no longer "doctor" in the UK), whereas surgeons trained on the job.

Did you not see my last post

Historically surgeons were more closely related to barbers than doctors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barber_surgeon

Edit to add: Nice line from that wiki page

"were called upon for numerous tasks ranging from cutting hair to amputating limbs."

Chris Ashdown · Dec 5, 2019

Short back and sides please and can you cut off my itchy big toe aswel

James Akcela · Dec 5, 2019

CVRO said:
What letters after names do not make clear:

- What's the quality of the letters? Has the person gone to Harvard or have they got the letters from a degree-mill sort of organisation?
- Has the person got a first or just scrapped through?
- Most importantly: Can the person apply whatever academic knowledge they have acquired in real life issues?
I have seen far too many academic-gifted people who could barely function outside an academic environment.

There-in lies the point I believe - academic theory is, in itself and some circumstances - 50% of the equation. The true skill is having real world experience, as well as academic rigour to reinforce a decision, or even articulate it.

Martin Kennington said:
I agree that they're only relevant/required when used to denote professional accreditation/body membership. Strangely, the only times I tend to see BA (hons), MBA, Dip whatever etc is on LinkedIn profiles or email signatures of recruiters or biz dev guys who invariably make me question how on earth they got those qualifications in the first place...

Martin, I don't disagree, out of the top 20 universities in the U.K. - invariably the most profitable degree is the MBA and sits within the business school. Many universities now have managed to place the full-time and even executive MBA on the apprenticeship levy pot. Whilst this is great that more have access, I know for certain at one institute that has had a direct effect on their enrolment policy. Now I wouldn't suggest it was negative of course

Interesting views all, appreciated.

gpietersz · Dec 6, 2019

I think this is very much an "it depends" sort of question - depending on you and your audience.

The last time I can remember having letters after my name on a business card it was because it was what my employer preferred, and I assume they knew what was appropriate from experience.

In general it seems to be less common than it used to be.

It might also be less important than it used to be because you can put the same information in a lot more detail in other places - on your website or on your Linkedin profile where anyone who is interested can have a look.

RobinBHM · Dec 6, 2019

A.Friend said:
but most gp, dr are not very nice or polite people and they are not very good in some respects

I agree, whenever I go to see my doctor I feel ill

TayloredGames · Dec 9, 2019

I have my qualifications after my name. .Ayers be it's a little pretentious, but I worked damned hard for them. Also, as an engineer, which should be a protected title but isn't unless you are chartered or incorporated, how do I distinguish myself from the gas fitter who is calling their self an engineer, when in reality they're a technician? Part of that problem is that the term technician has also been devalued (waste service technician for instance is a bin man). The gas fitter is highly qualified, so I understand why they get called engineers, but a gas fitter wouldn't be expected to design the national supply network whereas a gas engineer would because of the more advanced qualifications. Finally, someone suggested we write out membership of professional bodies instead of nominal - might be a bit unwieldy. I'd have to write Master of Engineering (Honours), Member of Institution of Engineering and Technology, Member of Institution of Royal Engineers. That's rather a lot. Even so, I never use them in non-professional settings, the garage for instance that someone mentioned, they go on my CV, email signature and business card, and that's it.

Chris Ashdown · Dec 9, 2019

I would have thought most highly qualified engineers would not need to show their qualifications but live on their reputation in the industry, unless they worked in the academic industry

Deleted member 59730 · Dec 9, 2019

Chris Ashdown said:
I would have thought most highly qualified engineers would not need to show their qualifications but live on their reputation in the industry, unless they worked in the academic industry

That is surely true of all fields. Can you imagine an actor, author, artist or zoologist putting letters after their name?

Finadept · Dec 9, 2019

I don't think I've used them since I first had the chance to, I may have used them for a week or so and felt it was unnecessary. For the most part I don't think it matters what the post-nominal letters as most people outside of that particular industry might not know what they mean anyway.

Chris Ashdown · Dec 9, 2019

On my subject of ex officers carrying their rank

A strange rank that is seldom considered by civilians, is the Warrant Officers of the armed forces. They must be the most experienced people on promotion raising from the bottom rant to the top, in most cases teaching officers along the way

Just thought i would point this out

Martin Patfield · Dec 9, 2019

Majority of people probably wouldn't know what they stand for anyway.

Is it an ego boosting sign? Who knows. Some would argue yes, others no.

AstEver · Dec 10, 2019

What about using 'UKBF' letters?

Ian J · Dec 10, 2019

atmosbob said:
Can you imagine an actor, author, artist or zoologist putting letters after their name?

Many of them like to put letters before their name especially S, I and r

Paul DF · Feb 24, 2026

In education, it's imperative that you'd have your credentials on your CV. If they take the form of letters after your name, then fine. You would, for instance put Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to prove you'd taken a post-graduate course and enhanced your skills as an education professional. Many schools and colleges will look more favourably on any candidate who has a PGCE. However, you wouldn't add it to your email signature when working at a school or college because everyone around you probably has one and it would simply be superfluous. However, let's say you left education and wanted to work for a theatre company doing outreach work in schools/colleges, etc and other workshop settings with children and young people. A PGCE on your CV is going to look better than even a BA (Hons) on its own (which many candidates will probably have in the same interview room). It's not a professional body membership acronym or even a qualification (though it is) in many ways - for certain contents it is not just a badge that says you learned about Shakespeare in your BA (Hons), but that you understand how to teach Shakespeare within a formal pedagogical framework. Those with a PGCE are prized, so you'd be remiss to exclude it when applying for certain jobs.

I've never once thought anyone with letters after their name is a prat. If you're proud of things you've achieved then great. Especially where the thing you've achieved moves you to a new stepping stone in your career, rather than just means you've kept your membership of something up to date.

Newchodge · Feb 24, 2026

Paul DF said:
In education, it's imperative that you'd have your credentials on your CV. If they take the form of letters after your name, then fine. You would, for instance put Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to prove you'd taken a post-graduate course and enhanced your skills as an education professional. Many schools and colleges will look more favourably on any candidate who has a PGCE. However, you wouldn't add it to your email signature when working at a school or college because everyone around you probably has one and it would simply be superfluous. However, let's say you left education and wanted to work for a theatre company doing outreach work in schools/colleges, etc and other workshop settings with children and young people. A PGCE on your CV is going to look better than even a BA (Hons) on its own (which many candidates will probably have in the same interview room). It's not a professional body membership acronym or even a qualification (though it is) in many ways - for certain contents it is not just a badge that says you learned about Shakespeare in your BA (Hons), but that you understand how to teach Shakespeare within a formal pedagogical framework. Those with a PGCE are prized, so you'd be remiss to exclude it when applying for certain jobs.

I've never once thought anyone with letters after their name is a prat. If you're proud of things you've achieved then great. Especially where the thing you've achieved moves you to a new stepping stone in your career, rather than just means you've kept your membership of something up to date.

I do have a problem with titles given by royalty as these are applied for, not necessarily earned directly. This is open to abuse ... Titles for Cash....just nominate someone for an award and get cash in your pocket in return.

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Letters After A Name

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