considering a masters in my 40s - anyone else?

[OtraCosaMariposa]

I am a very mature prospective student, if I start in September i'll be 48.

Have been thinking for a few years about going back and doing a Masters in history, part time over 2 years. My first degree is in Business and Modern Languages, in the language component I did a fair bit of history / literature / art and having spoken to the Uni I have a fair chance of getting a postgrad place.

But I have read such a lot of stuff about a Masters being such a step up from undergrad, and it's been SO long. I graduated in 1995. Many of the other students starting a masters won;t have even been born then. I have got out of the habit of academic writing, referencing, doing assignments and sitting exams.

Anyone else done similar and share experiences about how they've found things?

[SurpriseSparDay]

You’re a mere Spring chicken! Plenty of people have been much older, and have had a longer academic gap, when they started postgrad courses.

You mention that many of the other students won’t have been born when you graduated. This is true. It’s important to remember that many of them will be fiercely and energetically brilliant and ambitious. (Perhaps dependent on your institution!) While they’ll be polite, respectful, even friendly, they won’t necessarily be holding your hand and trying to make life easier for you. Do not be surprised at the sharpness of their elbows.

What have you been doing in the interim? If you’ve had a job that involves either copious admin or actual history you’re in luck. If not, well, you have almost a whole year to brush up your skills.

[Neolara]

I did a master's in my 40s. I thoroughly enjoyed it and while it took a while to get my brain thinking in the way the university wanted, I got there in the end.

[CmdrCressidaDuck]

The uni will be more than pleased to put at your disposal a range of resources to help people who have not done academic writing in a long time. Mature students are awesome and usually do very well because they're focused, motivated and know how to discipline themselves.

That said, are you wanting to do this for enjoyment or career? If it's the former, please crack on and enjoy to the max, but I'd be wary of hoping for a career benefit for it or an ROI on the fees.

[weaselwords]

I’m doing one in my 50s, so you are a spring chicken compared to me

[fleariddenmoggie]

I did my Masters in my 50s. It was tough but really enjoyable at the same time,

[Thecazelets]

I did an MSc in my 40s. I wouldn't worry about academic writing, referencing etc - you get plenty of guidance on that when you start. I came out with a Distinction, having previously been out of higher education since the eighties. I found I was actually better placed to put the work in than when I was an undergraduate (even with dc etc) as I was in a more settled life stage. Thinking of a PhD in my fifties!

[smemorata]

I did a Master's in my thirties and a PhD in my forties. I say go for it! Take any classes the Uni runs on research skills, especially if you are expected to use any software that wasn't around when you were first in uni. (I am ancient as all my essays were handwritten first time round). I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time.

[OtraCosaMariposa]

I'm not in it for a high flying career in history. Is there such a thing? Since I did my first degree I worked for the first 7 or 8 years full time in things like retail marketing and finance for a large car manufacturer, then in business to business marketing for office consumables. Then I had my first baby and the employer went bust during my maternity leave - no job to return to.

So in the 17 years since then I've been working for myself. Mostly travel writing, blogging for various clients, writing questions and answers for a quiz company. Nothing directly history related (although a lot of my travel stuff looks at history/culture too) but I have 17 years experience of managing deadlines, writing to a specific brief and researching my topic.

I did well in my undergrad - got a 2:1 with distinction in the spoken element of my language. First step in applying is to dig out my degree certificate (which is in my unmarried name) which is still at my parents' house as I don't think I ever used it after the day I graduated.

[sproutsandparsnips]

I'm doing a masters part time taught and I was 44 when I started. It's a means to career progression and it's a lot of work (the majority unpaid) but I'm enjoying it, and I'm not the oldest in my group (quite!).

[smemorata]

O/T but this sounds really interesting:writing questions and answers for a quiz company

How do you get into that and does it pay ok-ish?

[hoochymamgu]

Hi @OtraCosaMariposa I did this when I was 50. It was great fun, go for it! I was worried too, but I got my brain in gear and it did me good. Enjoy

[OtraCosaMariposa]

@smemorata - got into it originally through one of the freelance websites. Initially it was very small projects for maybe 50 questions on a certain topic at 30p a question, once I'd proven myself as reliable and provided work of a decent quality I got some bigger gigs. I've just finished a large project of 5,000 questions on Brazil - everything from politics to geography and reality TV. it's not huge money but given that I can do it sitting on the sofa with the telly on, averaging £15 per hour isn't bad.

I'm also hoping to keep up some of the freelancing while studying which is why I am considering part time rather than full time.

The Uni I am looking at has an open day this week but par for the course I have 101 other things going on so can't go and grill the admissions staff.

[TrafalgarSquare]

Do it! I did mine online in my 40s, it was fine. I was a much better student for my MA than for my BA. It did take me a while as I was working full time and a single parent but I loved it. Graduated this summer.

[smemorata]

@otracosamariposa Thanks!

[SurpriseSparDay]

First step in applying is to dig out my degree certificate ...

First thing I was warned about on a Masters open day was to request a transcript of your past degree(s) well in advance of any application deadline - because universities can be slow about digging them out. (I also vaguely seem to recall they charge for them, too.)

OP you sound very well placed to begin. I suggest you get hold of your preferred institution’s relevant reading lists asap. It would also be useful to identify a few academic associations and familiarise yourself (via Twitter/mailing lists/whatever) with not just what is being talked about but the language and attitudes of current historical discourse.

Btw, will you be applying for a Government Postgraduate Loan? (I can’t recall if your part-time intentions would affect eligibility or not.)

[Northernsoullover]

I'll be 49 when I finish my BSc so I wouldn't worry! Go for it.

[motortroll]

Reading the thread with interest as I am also considering it!

[OtraCosaMariposa]

DH has a transcript with his certificate, I shoudl have one too as we graduated the same year from the same Uni. But I haven't opened the folder since 1995 so who knows. You can get a copy transcript for £10, the replacement certificate is a lot more expensive.

And yes, I will probably be applying for finance to cover tuition fees, if eligible.

[ComeOnGordon]

I did mine in my 30’s with 3 young children and I’m not overly academic so I really believe if I can do it anyone can. I didn’t get the greatest pass grade for my dissertation but it’s still a pass and I’ve got my masters and it’s one of my proudest accomplishments in life

[TabithasMumCaroline]

I found that no transcripts were available for my year of graduation (2000 - I was a mature student then ) as there had been some difficulties transferring records from one institution to another. My application required sealed transcripts directly from my undergrad institution - the ones I have had in the cupboard for years were not deemed appropriate. So do check all criteria.

[HeronLanyon]

I’m doing a second masters in my 50s. Loving it. Very full on job but somehow I’ve made space. It’s easy to let thi slide so real secret is being very disciplined about the work. Good luck op.

[OtraCosaMariposa]

So i've bitten the bullet and started my application. However, the form is asking for two referees and I'm stumped.

I graduated 25 years ago. The Uni I am applying to for my postgrad is the same one I did my undergrad at - there is still a Prof from that time kicking around but he's never going to remember me and he must be pushing 80 odd anyway. I have been self-employed for 17 years. The two companies I worked for before that no longer exist.

There is no option to submit the application without academic referees or employment referees and I don't have any!!

[SurpriseSparDay]

Don’t worry overmuch about references - you have time to work things out. I doubt they’re want a reference from your undergrad days, so there’s no need to trouble the ancient party. (I managed with one referee from a brief but relevant evening course and one from some rather random but relevant volunteering a few years beforehand.)

I’m not quite clear on what your self employed work involves - are there actual human clients who might attest to your brain power and impressive efficiency? That would be the place to start.

When’s your deadline? Would you have time to start a short course, or build a client relationship, or volunteer in something helpful for a few months?

[OtraCosaMariposa]

Yes there are actual human clients but everything is done by email. I have never meet any of them in person and asking for a reference would be... .weird.

I do have lots of volunteering experience but again it's PTA, Scouts, charity shop, running a playgroup. Not relevant and although there are lots of people who could vouch that i'm reliable, organised and efficient, they couldn't vouch for my ability to learn. Course isn't until September. I have time to think about it and ask the Uni for guidance too.

[sproutsandparsnips]

Can you get a client to be work referee?
I put my long time friend who I trained with 25 years ago and who is now a research nurse doing a phd as my academic referee - nobody commented on either.