In thinking I could manage to study for a Masters alongside full time work and 2DC?

[lilacrosa]

I have always wanted to study for a Masters.

I have found 2 universities offering online courses in my chosen subject (Public policy), BUT I will need to carry on working full time as a civil servant and also have two primary-aged dc.

Would it all be too much?

Has anybody managed this?

And ultimately...do you think it would be worth it career-wise? I am a relatively low grade in the Civil Service (HEO) and really want to get to G7. My children are now a bit more independent and I feel that if I am going to go for it in my career, it needs to be NOW.

Any advice would be appreciated!

I did it with a newborn BUT, you need a lot of support as you need to invest between 14 and 20 hours a week and considering you are also working this doesn’t leave much free time.

My advice is don’t even try to study after work and putting the kids to bed, it will be unproductive and deeply demotivating. Instead ensure you and the kids are in a good routine and asleep by 9pm.

If you are in bed early, you will wake up naturally and refreshed by 4-5 am, which gives you a couple of hours to work undisturbed before the chaos of the family day starts.

Currently doing my BA with one DC and a full time job. It's hours and hours each week. Probably 15-20 hours a week plus extra when essay writing/revising for exams. I absolutely love it but it is a huge sacrifice of time. I have just home almost a week without seeing my son or husband due to work commitments and essay writing. I hear it was sunny outside and perhaps Easter?!

Only do it if you can imagine working a full day at work and then spending six hours editing a high level essay, eating your dinner in your office and not stopping, only getting up to use the loo, and knowing you are missing out on Easter with your kids. I'm not being dramatic-that's been my day today!

(It's a part time course I'm doing too, I don't think that was clear in my OP)

I tried to do it, but had to give in after about two weeks.

It wasn't the work as such, more the expectation of just being, well, available and hanging around campus. On Tuesdays we meet here, Thursdays we walk around the campus and get inspired, etc. I was like - hmm I'll be at work!

I guess it depends on the course: my friend did it and just about managed, but her syllabus seemed much more concrete than my arty farty one

I agree with not working too late,.. I have done two Masters now (yeah I know, career change ) , but only managed to do it as a single parent by having a days study leave a week (agreed by work) and also working on it all weekend when my ex had DS every other weekend.. Its a slog, but can be done

I've started a Masters in Leadership and Management as a degree apprenticeship, I have recently been promoted to G7 and work full time, commuting from the Midlands to Whitehall. I don't have small children, but have found it manageable if a bit stressful at times. I was caring for my late husband alongside studying to stay with and that was difficult.

It is worth also joining the Policy Profession network if your goal is to get to G7, do secondments through expressions of interest, and consider the Positive Action Pathway, all of which helped me secure the move from HEO to G7.

I'm doing this, FT work with nursery/primary DC. Only difference is mine is a research one and will be able to carry out the practical side in work time- but all the reading and writing will be in own time.
Never underestimate the bits that can be squeezed in here and there, and agree early mornings are your friend (but 6am, any earlier is torture!)

I’m doing my LLM distance learning with two kids and working full time. It’s not easy but definitely doable ☺️

Do you have a relationship, if so, when will you have time for this?
When will you see your children/ What family time will you have.

I did a PgCE but didn't work as well, and my dh did lots with the kids and lots more housework. He practically became a sahd, but his work is so flexible and self employed.

I'm coming to the end of a masters module - alongside working fulltime with kids - I've been evil when essays were due (course was one day a week)

You will find what works for you - for me going to bed early and getting up to work on an essay wouldn't be right for me (wasn't for my degree either) - I got better work done late at night after the kids had gone to bed

Thank you all so much for your comments. I have decided not to give it a go for the moment and focus on improving through my work instead. Maybe in a few years I will go for it!

Full time job, 4 kids, 1 grandchild and I am about to finish my (part time) masters. Have loved every minute of it.
About half the people on my course were young people who had come straight from their BA, and the others were like me, mature students with kids, jobs, mortgages etc.
Am now considering applying to do a PhD

Sorry, forgot to add, I'm a single parent too

I completed my PGCert but it was hard work studying, working and trying to have quality time with my husband and children. I didn't sign up for the second year of the Masters as I just could not face the prospect of my free time from my paid job being entirely taken up by study. I may go for it in a few years once the children have gone to University but certainly not at the moment.

I did mine, distance learning, whilst working full time running own full time business with reception age twins. It’s hard, I got up super early and worked late. Some family trips away and with friends we agreed for days out I would get in the car and then all loaded in and then pop out again, seemed to do the trick and then I could study all day whilst everyone was occupied. And enjoy the evening when they were back.

Was very pleased to have done it, took 2.5 years.

Yes I've done this with two slightly older children. However work paid for (most of) it which meant I felt justified in prioritising it (obv I do lots of work in my own time). I am working in the same field as I'm studying iyswim which helps. I also front loaded the taught modules, so although I've done it part time, two years, thw second year is mostly dissertation.
I'm a g7 and desperate to get to a g6.
I realise you've said not for now but definitely recommend reconsidering when your dc are older.