Doing a Masters

[Kinsman]

Slightly lengthy backstory I'm afraid - apologies:

I graduated many moons ago in 1995 a third class BSc Psychology and simply got on with my career despite the poor result. Fast forward two decades and the jobs I really want to apply for now all require a masters so I thought I would bite the bullet and return to my studies but am finding that every institution is turning down my application based on the outcome of my undergraduate degree.

It doesn't seem fair to be judged on such an old result with my career to date simply ignored and am dreading having to spend the last 20 years of my career paying for poor choices I made in my early twenties.

Can anyone advise on what I can do to try to get myself accepted on a course?

TIA!

[sar302]

Unfortunately, a third, 20 years ago, is not a great indication of you having the necessary skills / academic ability needed to successfully complete a masters degree. As harsh as it sounds, I understand why you aren't getting the replies you want.

Is there a post-graduate certificate in the same / similar subject that you could do as a stepping stone?

[Kinsman]

You're right. I hadn't looked at it from that perspective. As for the diploma options even these require a 2:2. 🙁

[sar302]

It's awful to be judged on something you did half a life time ago! But in reality I think you might be out of luck. Is there a work based qualification equivalent? Professional rather than academic?

[sar302]

Also, did those kind of jobs require a masters degree previously? Or has the standard now been raised because more people have degrees, and it's just a sorting process for interviews? You might find that 20 years experience is actually more valuable to people than a degree.

[wizzywig]

I know mmu accepted a fellow student with a 3rd onto an msc psych

[PaddingtonMare]

Why did you get a third? Was that the best you could do? If you did it over now would you get a better grade? I would see if you could have a chat with one of the course leaders and see if any of your work experience could be relevant or show the academic rigour unis are looking for?

[Kinsman]

Lots of very helpful advice. Thank you!

It was actually the course director that turned me down but in hindsight, the point about academic rigour really makes sense.

During my first degree I received no funding and had to work a 35-hour week to pay my living expenses, something which I have always thought played a huge role in my poor academic performance but 20 years later there's not much that can be done about that..

I have this morning had a conversation with the OU and it would appear that some course units I took a while back 'just for fun' may actually go some way to make up part of a BA which means I may be able to gain a PT BA in a shorter time than expected and then go on to do an MA afterwards - so thankfully all is not lost it would appear.

[sar302]

Excellent!! That's really good news. Best of luck