Studying a Masters Part Time

[puzzledbyadream]

I've just applied to study a masters at a far more prestigious university than I went to for my undergrad. I am training to be an SEN teacher and the masters is very much related to this. Presuming I get in I'd be hoping to attend the masters programme part time and do part time agency learning support work at the college where I currently work. However the college is half an hour on the train from the uni and I'd very much prefer to live in the uni city than in the drab little seaside town I currently live in. I'm unattached and no DCs, does anybody have any experience (or DCs who have experienced) doing similar? I'm particularly concerned about covering travel/accommodation costs. Unfortunately the college in the uni city is rubbish in comparison to my own college so working there doesn't feel like much of an option (and I'm almost definitely like to get a job here).

I'm more than prepared for the workload as I am doing a 2 year course in a year on top of a full time job at present. Just looking for some evidence that it's definitely possible really!

[titchy]

You'll be eligible for the PG loan - £5000 per year if you're studying over two years. Should help!

[puzzledbyadream]

Yes the only reason I can even think of doing it is the PG loan! If it works how I hope it's going to I'll be spending £3050 on fees and then I'll get a bit towards living which would be lovely.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Sorry, I may be being stupid - if it's a part-time Masters course, won't everyone else on it be doing the same? I don't see why you say you're 'hoping' to do it part time if you've already applied for that?

But assuming you've applied for a part time course: yes, I know lots of people who've done them, and they are hard work, but you must be in a far better position to cope than many, given you've already studied while working.

You ought to be able to find out some details from them about when/how often you'd be expected to be physically in the building. It might be that if you explain the circumstances, tutors would be prepared to offer some flexibility in terms of supervision, too - I did my PhD at a distance and my supervisors were very good about giving me lots of support by email so I didn't have to make trips too often, and now I supervise students who sometimes have supervisions by skype, so we don't need to be in the same room. That could help with travel costs, though I know it is not always an option.

[NiceCardigan]

Jeanne one of my DDs is doing a full time masters but there are some people doing it part time. So if there are 6 modules the part time students do 1-3 in year one and then 4-6 in year 2 whereas full time students do all 6 in one year.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Sorry, my post wasn't very clear.

I know some courses can be offered full time or part time. When I read the OP, I worried she was suggesting she'd decide to study part-time at a later date, having applied for full time - she says 'presuming she gets in' that she'd like to opt for part time. Not everywhere will let you do that, and even if the course is offered to both full and half time students, they will usually want to know as early as possible which you're intending to do.

[puzzledbyadream]

I've applied for part time! The presuming I get in is because they might not like the sound of me or something...

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Oh, good! Good luck, then. As I say, it sounds as if you'd be well prepared.