Narrowly missed out on MA again, feeling grumpy

[DaphneLaurel]

This morning I was browsing Mumsnet and went on the article about studying for a degree with the Open University. Many moons ago I studied for a Masters degree at a Russell group uni but due to mental health issues I never completed my dissertation. It dragged on and on and in the end the issued me a postgraduate diploma. It was a huge regret of mine and I was so ashamed that I pretended to my parents that I'd got the full Masters.

I learnt today that the OU offer the opportunity to do credit transfers from previous higher ed institutions, so I could have got my MA afterall - except that you have to have done your studies within the last 16 years to make the application. My course ended in Nov 2008, which was 16 years ago in November. So I have missed the deadline by 1 month because I only just found out about this bloody thing! They also closed credit transfer application for 2025 at the start of December so I can't go begging.

Feeling frustrated and low so just had to tell someone.

Are you counting the 16 years from the date your course officially ended or from when you were awarded the diploma? It’s rubbish luck OP.

You need to reframe this. You got a postgraduate diploma despite having mental health issues. That’s amazing.

What was your previous masters in?

You say "the course ended in November" - is that the date you have on the degree certificate (ie: the award date) or was that the date they said "enough, we will award you the lower qualification" ?

As an example, in my department the course "ends" in June and then students submit their dissertation by the end of August. The exam board is in November but the graduation is the following May, and that is the date on their degree certificate.

I'd still contact the OU once they return from the break and see what they say. There will be admin staff around from the end of next week, but most universities will be closed completely in between Christmas and New Year.

Spot on advice. Even if their policies around dates don't match, they may be flexible around dates to secure the fees.

I want to be helpful and I don't want to criticise but perhaps consider your way of thinking. Try not to turn it into an introspective exercise but the 'I missed the deadline' 'I can't go begging' won't help you succeed. Seeing enquiring for a clarification as begging isn't positive.

Good luck.

The OU say they will do this but they don't.

They closed my evening courses when I did my first degree and I just had the dissertation to complete.

The OU agreed to take us all on.

But in order to do so they insisted on us doing the whole of the 'final year' again. So in real terms that would be to redo 2 years worth of work as we all studied part time. And then we could do the dissertation.

So I just took the degree without honours. It's a rinse.

Oh def write to them and ask both, is it too late to apply this year, and, could you apply next year instead. Deadlines are mostly made up, there is def possibility for flexibility. Just explain what you did above. Good luck! I loved being in education.

Why don't you email the OU and ask if there might be extenuating circumstances? I've done a few ou courses and the OU have always been super helpful.
Best of luck! 🤞

Definitely check with the OU and maybe check with other in-person universities to see whether top-up from postgrad diploma to MA is possible? If not, if you're determined to get it, is starting from scratch an option?

Sorry it's been such a frustrating journey and that you've been ill (I can definitely relate).