To consider a MSc Computer Science conversion course

[Rubbermaid]

I’ve worked in the NHS for ten years but there is no possibility of progression for me unless I gain some additional qualifications.

I’m interested in computer programming and have enrolled on an online web development course that seems very good and should take me about a year to complete, at which point I’d then start the MSc.

Does this sound like a good idea to those of you who know about this stuff? On the course info they say their students go on to be software/web developers, IT consultants, systems analysts, operations researchers to name a few. Does this mean they are ready to go into these careers straight from the course or would they need to undertake further specific training?

I really want to learn new skills (and believe I’m capable of doing so) and go on to a completely new career in IT - does this seem like a good way to do it?

And finally, I’m a single parent and my child will be three when I finish the MSc. I would prefer to work part-time until she starts school a year later - is this a realistic possibility or are most jobs in this field (especially for someone junior) full-time?

Would be really grateful for any advice, thank you

[slightlyglittermaned]

TBH, I think it's worth you trying for stuff before laying out 10k on an MSc - the worst that can happen is that you don't get a job, but you've talked to more local companies and have started building up an idea of what might help you get one.

[gunsandbanjos]

I don't work in programming exactly but more SAS and SQL based work, you definitely don't need an MSc. coding skills are in demand. Learn newer skills like Hadoop too.

[TheCatsMother99]

I don't want to say too much incase outing but my DH did a msc in computer science at uni (he must have left uni just over 10 years ago) and you could say his job involves programming. He works for a massive company and has done very well for himself (us) financially because of his choice of degree and career and he's still as interested in it as he ever was, he gets real job satisfaction.

I say go for it!

[Needadvicetoleave]

DH did it. He was a primary teacher with a personal interest in computing. He enjoyed the course and found it relatively easy and engaging and useful. Some on the course had no IT experience at all. They all got jobs after, some better paid than others and that seems directly related to their pre-existing knowledge and enthusiasm.

[Needadvicetoleave]

And although DH had some previous IT related jobs and could program pre-course, he ended up doing the course to get a piece of paper to say he could code! He'd tried to get a job before doing the course and all the feedback he got was "you were great, seem to know your stuff but you don't have a qualification in it, and the other guy did".

[frenchknitting]

From my experience a conversion MSc will be treated equally to an undergraduate degree by employers. So you will be looking at grad schemes or similar levels of role to start with.

I think you will almost certainly need to be full time to start with, but should be able to request part time work when you are established.

At my university, the MSc content was basically the second year of my 4 year degree, plus a project at the end. So, just all the basics really.

I think the web programming is a good place to start. It shows you are keen. Good luck!

[Rubbermaid]

So many helpful, interesting replies. Although I feel like I’ve got way more to think about now than I did before - aargh! Thanks though!

[slightlyglittermaned]

TBH, you can sign up for a Github account and start adding little projects tonight - go for it, as you get more skilled you will update things, change them, but it'll help to get you in the habit and start building you a portfolio.

Best of luck!

[Rubbermaid]

I have! I signed up for a GitHub account last week! thank you!

[chronicallylate38]

On the whole, as with most things, once you plump for a course of action and start job hunting just be persistent! There’s no one right way and you may go into development and decide you prefer being more client facing.

[chronicallylate38]

Ps glitter has a good point about trying to leverage your health experience to get into IT related to that field if possible. I once failed to get an IT job due to lack of business experience in healthcare

[TheEmmaDilemma]

Yeah GitHub is good.

I did all the training for an MSc and never ended up taking the exams.

I'm currently a Support Manager for a large Software company.

I would say don't commit to the MSc yet. Do the web dev, see how you like it, if not you might find a preferred direction. While all round knowledge is good, it's the kind of thing I'd be looking for a junior to come in and train. Because it's jack of all trades.

Depends what you want. If I was coming to this now, I'd try to be a little more niche and tie it down to an area and build any additional knowledge around that.

[cazzyg]

I did a masters IT conversion course a rather long time ago now, then applied for tech grad schemes. I went into consultancy first then onto a financial services company.

IT is a massive field with lots of opportunities. No course will get you ready to jump straight into a specialised technical role and many people start off in more junior roles and learn on the job. That said, often a numerate degree is required to get those junior roles in the first place. I definitely found my MSc useful as it gave me a good grounding in software engineering, basics or hardware

[cazzyg]

Posted too soon

Do research the course as not all IT MAsters courses are equal. I have a pretty good, family friendly, interesting and reasonably well paid job in IT and I wouldn't be where I am if I hadn't done that masters

[Rubbermaid]

These are the modules:

Semester 1 modules
Computational Problem Solving and Computer Systems
Software Development and Databases
Computer Networks and Cybersecurity

Semester 2 modules
HCI, Web and Mobile Development
Software Project Management (including group project)
Computer Science Workshops
Individual project

The taught element of the programme is followed by an individual project.
Core modules
Computer Science Workshop

Computational Problem Solving and Computer Systems

Software Project Management

Computer Networks and Cybersecurity

MSc Project

HCI, Web and Mobile Development


Software Development and Databases

[TheEmmaDilemma]

So you're going to get an overview of everything I guess. I don't know the content/timescales.

Is there much of that you could probably say you already know?! I mean to go this route I would suspect you're already pretty tech savvy?

[TheEmmaDilemma]

*when I say content, I can't tell how in depth each module is.

[kaykay72]

This is a relatively new initiative but is designed for people wanting to career change into cyber security if that interests you. There’s a massive shortage of good people in the field

www.sans.org/ukcyberacademy

[VladmirsPoutine]

A couple of questions, how old are you currently? (doesn't matter but just curious).

Another thing, is your current web-development course on your interest in web development or is it a gate-way to the MSc? Because you don't really need to spend a year doing it all else being equal (wrt to entry requirements).

FWIW, there are many opportunities in I.T and you'd do well to spend some time looking at potential job requirements so when it comes time for you to apply you have a better bearing. Different types of businesses have varying needs and specs iyswim?

On a lighter note - my friend with 2 young dc is an IT contractor and works around her dc - very well paid. But she started when she didn't have any responsibilities, as it were. Either way, it can be done! More power to your elbow!

[RedTitsMcGinty]

I did an MSc conversion course (er, 19 years ago). I got on a graduate programmer scheme afterwards, then jumped into a PhD. I still work in computer science and am considered an expert in my field - won awards, etc. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't done that pgrad course.

[user1840873076]

I think the main thing you actually need to think about is if you can actually do it. Sorry to be negative but if you want to go straight onto a computing course you need to have some sort of previous qualifications in computing/ICT and I assume you don’t have these? My partner is studying computer science and it’s a highly demanding and complicated course, you need to know lots of different languages and the teachers assume you have some knowledge and previous experience of the languages from school and college. If you don’t then I think you will be lost. Any new languages you are expected to use you are expected to have the tools to learn and understand the syntax by your self, also an advanced knowledge of computational mathematics which includes areas such as vector equations, Boolean algebra, trig and be able to understand the operation of lambda equations. There is also learning any software you are required to use and learning writing conventions for languages not even going in to compliance regulations for networks. If you believe you have the skills necessary to become a linguist, a mathematician, a problem solver and a graphical designer in one year then good luck with your studies. Otherwise I’d suggest restarting as an undergraduate

[slightlyglittermaned]

Your post seems a bit unnecessarily scaremongering user1840873076 - have you realised this is a conversion MSc so aimed at people without CS background, not an advanced MSc?

[Becca19962014]

I taught on a conversion masters in computer science and the maths user mentions would have been necessary to complete the course we ran - it was very intensive and literally full time with practicals and seminars students were looking at 9-6pm every day. Looking at the course I was involved with they now say a level advance maths with an a or b grade is essential.

The courses of course vary hugely from uni to uni, some have professional recognition some don't. Many now do foundation years for undergrads because computer science has a very high drop out rate - it's overwhelmingly theoretical in nature and people don't tend to realise that - I did a related degree and was shocked by the amount of complex maths involved.

I suggest you look at courses to do with what you want to do, and if you decide on a conversion masters my advice is to do one that offers a year in industry as well which is essential when looking for work afterwards.

[Becca19962014]

(Obviously there was a break each day for lunch it wasn't solid 9-6! But there was no other break).

[EBearhug]

I was a history grad working in libraries when an MSc conversion 20 years ago and then got on a grad scheme with an international bank. I wouldn't have got to interview without it, simply because they could afford to be fussy about qualifications. My current employer works similarly - for most roles, if you don't have a degree, you won't get a look-in. This doesn't mean all roles need a degree.

I wanted to do a conversion, because it was enough time to see if I wanted to work in IT, but even if I decided I didn't want to do it full-time, having more tech knowledge wasn't going to be a disadvantage in whatever I did. And I was on such a low income anyway, I wasn't going to be worse off. It's hard work, though - I've never done so many hours over so many weeks before or since. Much more intense than an undergrad degree.

I'm glad I did it. It gave me a broad overview of a good range of things. To my surprise, it made me realise that being a full-time coder would probably drive me insane. (Great when it works, very frustrating when you just can't find that tiny syntax error, or it doesn't do as expected.) Still do the odd bit of scripting, though.

There are so many different tech roles out there, and there are predictions of thousands of unfilled roles by 2020, because we just don't have people with the skills. Security and big data are the in-things just now, massively expanding areas, but there are loads of other jobs in different areas, too.