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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to do a master's degree in law even though I have a more-than-full time job?

29 replies

LoganMountstuart · 30/04/2015 20:57

OK, I will admit to being a massive nerd here. I already have one master's degree in a different subject, after which I converted to law and now work at a City firm. Working with some Swiss lawyers recently (who study law for something like 9 years before they even start practicing!) on a research project and remembering how much I loved academic research and writing dissertations. I also feel a bit under-qualified as I didn't do an undergraduate degree/masters in law before; I'd love to have more academic knowledge of the kind of law I practice (international commercial work).

I would love to do a master's degree part time at somewhere like LSE but this is clearly lunacy as I already work about 60 hours a week most of the time. No kids yet though...

Can anyone advise how I can scratch my nerdy itch?

OP posts:
Living · 30/04/2015 21:40

I did the LPC part-time on top of similar hours (with kids). It's doable if you really want to do it.

prepperpig · 30/04/2015 21:42

You're brave. I think you might regret it TBH, the job just takes up too much time.

BarbarianMum · 30/04/2015 21:43

Do you have a partner? Would they be prepared to put the relationship on hold whilst you study.

Single, with no children, then go for it.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 30/04/2015 21:47

I'm tempted too. I only work 45 hours per week though I have children

I started off as a scientist (undergrad, PhD) and subsequently qualified as a patent attorney. I'm considered to be technically qualified rather than legally qualified. I'd quite like a legal qualification (I deal with contract law quite a bit).

wearenotinkansas · 30/04/2015 21:59

I did it. In the year I was applying for partnership and my first year of partnership, so part time over two years . Wasn't at a particularly prestigious university but I really enjoyed it. A few hairy moments in terms of finding time to complete my dissertation and a couple of overnighters (!). But my uni was very forgiving in terms of deadlines etc.

I didn't have kids though. Wouldn't have attempted if I did!

Oh, I need the conversion as well.

wearenotinkansas · 30/04/2015 21:59

I did the conversion...

AyeAmarok · 30/04/2015 22:18

I hope not because I'm really thinking about doing exactly this.

Kiwiinkits · 30/04/2015 23:01

I did this. I did it in a fantastic way too. If you are at all interested in Economics, check out the European Masters of Law and Economics (EMLE). You can get a full scholarship from the European Union, take a year off, live all over Europe attending different universities, and come out with an LLM.

Best year I've ever had, all paid for by someone else.

Kiwiinkits · 30/04/2015 23:02

(I did my LLB while working 50 hour weeks for a Top 5 accounting firm. Now that was NUTS!)

Kiwiinkits · 30/04/2015 23:03

www.emle.org/

Kiwiinkits · 30/04/2015 23:07

See if your employer will sponsor you, too, and give you sabbatical leave. If they value you, they will. Mine paid for 2x return flights (from NZ) and an accommodation supplement.

Original poster
LoganMountstuart · 30/04/2015 23:25

I will have a husband soon. He already gets pissed off with the hours I work sometimes so it probably wouldn't go down well. EMLE looks amazing! But I have never heard of anyone so junior being given sabbatical for that kind of reason before so probably not going to happen for me.

OP posts:
cookiefiend · 30/04/2015 23:36

I did my LLM whilst working full time as a solicitor. I did it on one year, but some people in the same situation did it over two which was probably more manageable. I loved it! Nice to be back to studying. Go for it.

HeeHiles · 30/04/2015 23:43

I work full time and am working my way through a degree with the OU. I also have young children, who are now getting older so it's easier to get them to be quiet and go to bed when I need to study. I've been doing this for 6 years though!

I have to manage my time effectively and work to strict deadlines, and manage to juggle everything although sometimes work takes over and I have to catch up but I have one module to do and then I'm finished and I'm already feeling proud of what I have achieved.

It's bloody hard, but if you feel you need to do this then I would go for it, but do make sure you factor in some wind down time. I had to make time for my children so it was on the timetable Blush but you have to be strict!

Kiwiinkits · 30/04/2015 23:50

Hey Logan, it never hurts to ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You'd be amazed at what can happen when you ask.

(Btw I dragged my soon-to-be DH around Europe with me. At that stage he was 40 and had to be convinced to take a few months off. I convinced him. It was the best thing he ever did, he said. So don't see your relationship as a barrier, either. Never take no for an answer)

Duckdeamon · 01/05/2015 06:58

I don't think those kind of paid working hours plus study leaves much time at all for a relationship or anything else.

tigerdog · 01/05/2015 07:11

I did an MSc at LSE on top of a 60 hours per week job and I would say go for it!

As long as your employer gives you the time off to attend the teaching sessions you should be fine. I found the time away from the office was such a treat and the people I met were amazing as it was a really international group and the course was geared towards working professionals so could be flexible (I deferred my dissertation for 6 months whilst changing jobs and managing a big house move/renovation).

There were, of course, times when I cursed having to do coursework and revision but ultimately I really enjoyed it. I was terrified before I started that I wouldn't be able to cope, but I managed! My Dp got himself a season ticket for his football team in my final term so Saturday afternoons were study for me and football for him - that resolved any issues there!

Good luck Smile

Jackieharris · 01/05/2015 07:32

Are you intending on having dcs?

It doesn't sound hopeful if your dp is already 'pissed off' at your hours!

Does he want/expect you to become a sahm?

You really need to discuss this stuff.

Waste of time studying further if your career stalls because of an unsupportive partner.

olympicsrock · 01/05/2015 08:08

Wow can't believe how many super bright high achieving MNs there are. I am in awe of the fact that you love academic research and writing dissertations . I have 2 degrees and am currently doing an MSC part time in addition to a full time job being married and having a 3 year old and another on the way. I came on to say no don't do it as my MSC has been a bit of a nightmare . All going fine until 1st pregnancy and then just too tired to do it as well as my career. It is the lowest priority and the thing that has to give. I have been doing this for 6 years now and am finally hoping to finish it this year. Do not expect to do the career baby and MSC all at the same time. If you have a baby you will have zero time to study at the weekend or evenings. Good luck.

olafolaf · 01/05/2015 08:27

It is doable if you really want it. I am currently doing my second Masters (different field) whilst juggling a 45 hrs a week, frequent on call job plus three children in exam years. Tough, but I feel so fulfilled. Having an understanding partner, and completely relaxing my already low housework standards really helps!

willnotbetamed · 01/05/2015 09:52

If you really want to do it, then go for it. I work almost full-time (75%), have two DCs, partner works full-time, our third DC is due in July and I am trying to finish up my PhD. It has been crazy at times, with long evenings and weekend seminars, but I really enjoy it, which is what makes it bearable. My partner is long-suffering but basically supportive, and I've promised to take it easy for a couple of years after this, so that he can pursue a hobby or whatever properly. I am hoping to submit in March next year.

Theycallmemellowjello · 01/05/2015 10:29

I'm going to go against the grain and say that I don't think this is a great idea. I think that a second masters is not actually going to take you far in terms on intellectual development: masters degrees are mostly about teaching you to think and research independently, which you can already do. If you already have the GDL and a masters and have a law job, why don't you just pay to be a member of a university library? You are already qualified enough already to read and research the law. Why not read around your area of interest, set yourself a project with the aim of getting it published in a law journal? Or if that's too much, just read up on your area of interest? I think it would be a waste of time and money and that you would achieve more if you set your some specific intellectual goals.

StellaAlpina · 01/05/2015 10:49

I can understand that nerdy itch...my ideal plan for the next five years includes, have baby, stay in p/t job, start p/t phd...

BUT I'm not sure if you are already a practising lawyer you'd learn that much by doing a masters in law. If you want to do some more studying for fun + career development you could maybe do a masters in something related to your field of law e.g international relations/economics etc.

RuthAaaghhh · 01/05/2015 11:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WoodliceCollection · 01/05/2015 11:10

I don't see why you shouldn't try it. I did MSc part time whilst working (temp/pt) and with 2 year old, it is not impossible and I'd imagine law would fit more around available hours if it's mostly writing rather than having to be in a lab. If learning is what you enjoy, then it's more a leisure activity than extra work (that's what I find, anyway).

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