Research MSc, but I don't meet the entry criteria because I'm too old

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I have found an MScR which fits my field perfectly - but the entry requirements are a 2:1, which I don't have. I graduated in 1990 with an ordinary BSc, the course has long since changed to an honours.

I do have plenty of clinical experience and am regarded as an expert in a niche, which is suddenly very en vogue. I have a Fellowship, a couple of awards and a media profile. I've collaborated on a couple of papers with universities, one of which looks like it's going to be published and I'm the lead author. I'd be self funding, I'm early 50s.

The project is mostly worked out, I've been thinking about it for about 5 years - I know what needs to be established and how to do it. The data from the project would be used to get funding for a big project that would probably have to be a PhD. I don't have any ambition in academia, I just really want to develop my niche and can't do it without the data.

Do you have any suggestions about how I can persuade them to let me on the course without the required qualifications?

Explain to them what qualifications/ skills you DO have and why you believe you would be a strong candidate for the course - in my experience they’re willing to consider people who don’t necessarily have the stated requirements but do have alternative ones that make them just as suitable

Have you actually met with the course organiser with all your evidence?
IME that can be very worthwhile.

Sorry to hear this, it sounds like you’re hugely committed to your field and congratulations for all you’ve achieved so far.

Your title it implies that there was an age cap on the requirements - is that what you meant or is it that your original qualification simply doesn’t meet the criteria because of when you did it?

My suggestion would be to liaise directly with the course leaders if you haven’t already. Admissions departments generally have less flexibility but ultimately the decision rests with the staff who are delivering the course. From what you’ve said it sounds highly unlikely that they’d turn you down on the basis of a qualification from 30 years ago, unless perhaps it’s a top RG type institution for example and they just don’t see your work as being evidence of suitability? Good luck!

Oh, thanks for this!

No, I haven't met with them, I only found the course on Christmas Eve and sent off an email expressing interest and asking if they'd be willing to meet with me - which I don't suppose they'll open until next week.

No age cap, as far as I can see, just the need for a degree that I couldn't have done at the time.

I'd have done an MSc years ago but took clinical opportunities instead, which worked out well as it means I am a "go to" person, but means that I am under qualified - all I have is opinion and experience which is not enough to get funding from eg. Wellcome.

I'd be a good student. I really do give a shit about what I do.

If you’re going to do this research it will be important to focus on evidence not assertions.

You have no evidence that they won’t accept you on the course. While standard entry criteria are defined, universities will look sensibly at the background of applicants with a slightly different background due to older / different qualifications, qualifications from abroad etc. For example many undergraduate courses will define a GCSE requirement. That doesn’t mean you’re excluded if you’re an older applicant who took O levels.

So why not wait and see what the university actually says in response to your enquiry before complaining?

Good luck with the Masters.

You may well not need the qualifications.

For people who gained education a while ago but have professionally experience, that’s enough. Before moving to France, I taught at two English universities and we routinely accepted older students who didn’t have the qualification profile we stipulated, but who had other qualifications and experience.

You should be fine. Good luck!

@NewIdeasToday is right, your OP very much comes across as though you’ve been turned down on account of age. I agree, many universities want people with more diverse backgrounds and will gladly consider a range of evidence and qualifications. It sounds like you’d be well suited so don’t jump to conclusions before you know everything you need to (and bear in mind that’s a bit of a basic qualification for doing a research degree!)

Talk to the course leader - your experience should hopefully be taken into consideration, you'd be more than head and shoulders above any undergrad with a 2(I) straight out of uni

Sorry about the tone - I wasn't meaning to sound like I was whining, I was more puzzled about how to get round the problem of not meeting entry criteria!

That's great, really encouraging. I'll wait and see what they say and be more hopeful.

Thanks for your advice.

What they really care about is whether or not you're going to able to complete the course. They will have judged that if you're coming direct from undergraduate study then you generally need to be at a 2:1 standard to have the ability to complete the course.

As you're not coming direct from undergraduate and it sounds like you already have a proven track record in the field I think it's very likely they will be flexible with the admission criteria in your case.

The advice given to liaise directly with the course organizers is a good one. When I returned to education in my 40s I had only O levels. However I did have some professional qualifications and had published several things. I applied through the old UCCAS system and got offers from all 5 universities. When I found out who my interviewer would be I sent them some examples of my published writing ahead of the interview. It did not matter that the subject matter was not relevant to the degree course. They were more interested in students who could write and research which I clearly could.

In the end I secured a place on a very competitive course at an RG university and went on to achieve a masters and a doctorate.

Good luck!

Must admit, Sneaky, the idea of going back to studying after so long is a bit daunting. I know someone who did a PhD in her 50s, and I was in awe. Can't decide whether this is a good idea, a self indulgence, a midlife crisis, or all three.

I have done some really innovative work, and it's valuable and has potential - but, I know it's worthless unless I get the data.

I am capable, to be honest, it's the tech that's going to be a challenge. I hate iPads and am not that good with computers. Still, the course will have some support somewhere, I expect. It was floppy discs and overhead projectors in my day...

It is a lot of work, so it would need to be worthwhile. I was in a similar situation in a previous job. I started a work based MSc, but was almost immediately head hunted for a job in a higher grade with more money. They didn't care if I finished the MSc or not, so I decided to make life easy for myself. I was in my early 50s at the time and stayed in the job till I retired.

Do you absolutely need to do the qualification in order to get your data? If so I would go for it. I was lucky that I was able to do studies and publish papers anyway because my employer was very supportive.

That's what I'm hoping for, End!

I don't absolutely need to do it, no. But, the literature search is done and the practical stuff is worked out and ready to do, so I'm 2/3 of the way there - apart from the core classes which would address my weak spots which need addressing anyway.

My knowledge of stats is not good enough. I'm ok, I can read a paper, but, I'm not as confident as I should be. My IT skills need improving, and it would be a LOT easier to get papers published if I'm affiliated to a uni. I have professional links to a couple and have done some practical supervising of MSc students, but it's not quite good enough.

It's a gamble, but, I do want to do it and I would work hard. Spending 5k on something tends to be motivating, right?

It sounds as if it would be worth it for you. Good luck. IME they really want to give the opportunities to people with the ability and experience. Previous qualifications are less important. Like you, I was supervising MSc students and teaching post graduate students. My motivation was promotion tbh, but I got that anyway and the new job was very challenging.

All you needed to do was email the programme director, outlining the experience you have in your OP, and you'd be receiving your offer! I wouldn't need to arrange a meeting or anything!

You could also have applied for an MPhil - also usually part of a PhD they can be stand alone and would give you a grounding in the stats and research methods I assume you're currently lacking.

You need to invoke the 'grandfather' clause. Basically you can't be discriminated against due to age, qualifications as the honours wasn't available to you.

This will work as long as there isn't a timeframe on when you have completed your degree. Which they can set as they can claim you need il to date academic experience. But not courses won't.

A lot of courses are under filled so easier than you would think to get into.

So basically go for it.

If you can get to talk directly to the decision maker I don’t think you’d have much of a job persuading them to take you, you are experienced and well motivated. You sound like an ideal candidate.