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Original poster

Has anybody completed Postgraduate study alongside full-time work?

27 replies

Sishirunak · 21/07/2022 07:51

I'm hoping to complete part-time Master or Doctor of Education alongside my current work. Luckily my work is flexible so I can choose which days I do.
I know it will be a slog but I really want to complete this.

OP posts:
KittenKong · 21/07/2022 07:56

I did a part time degree and a post grad whilst working full time. I also did year 1 of a p/t degree when working and pregnant (I have to admit that was just a little too much - sat exams when 7 months pregnant). But I did some professional training when on maternity leave.

I’ve had 2 bosses do a PhD whilst working full time.

Original poster
Sishirunak · 21/07/2022 08:02

Wow, that's great! It can definitely be done. PHD whilst working full time.. incredible!

OP posts:
roses2 · 21/07/2022 08:05

I have - I started an MBA whilst on maternity leave with my three month old (sponsored by my company) and it took 2.5 years to complete.

As my company sponsored it they gave me one day a week study leave. Many of the people on my course were paying for it themselves alongside working full time. It's do-able but hard work and you need a lot of family support and to give up week ends studying

It was totally worth it and my career has really progressed since I graduated 6 years ago due to having an MBA on my cv.

Bowtique · 21/07/2022 08:06

I’ve done a masters while working full time, didn’t have any responsibilities really outside of work at the time though. It was hard work but totally doable.

I did my PGCE whilst working FT with a 2 year old at home. It wasn’t fun but luckily as I work in education I was able to be observed and do some work within my work hours (agreed with boss obviously). Is your work in education already? Will you be able to link things up? I did assignments relating to things I did in work, which helped as I already had an idea what I was doing.

SuperJune · 21/07/2022 08:07

Hey OP! I completed a postgrad certificate alongside working full time (it would have been a postgrad diploma if I did a second year, but I stopped at one year as I moved country. My postgrad certificate has been instrumental in me getting a job in my new country). I did mine in 2020-21 which in hindsight was great as I had classes 2 evenings a week and there was nothing else on due to lockdowns, so I had plenty of studying time and didn't feel I was missing out on anything due to studying!

I really enjoyed it. It had challenging moments but was great and I think stands out on my CV. My tip would be to work out how you best work and use that to dedicate some time to your studying eg I'm a morning person, so would always fit an hour studying in the morning before work (or however much time I could). I also always had Sundays off with no studying and none of my full time job which also really helped, as the rest of the week could feel pretty full on!

Finally, I know some employers allow employees study leave or other benefits. Mine didn't but I'd recommend checking if yours would Smile

Galaxyrippleforever · 21/07/2022 08:08

I did my MA while working full time with a sizeable commute and a 2 year old. It took me slightly longer than I had planned and lots of 4am get ups before setting off to work, but I did it!

LikeSilver · 21/07/2022 08:13

Yes, I did an MSc full time whilst working full time during lockdown. It wasn’t easy but I really enjoy studying so I was determined. My kids moaned that I was always on my laptop! Good luck.

Dippydonky · 21/07/2022 08:14

I did my masters while in full time work….. changed jobs and moved cities mid qualification.

Really enjoyed it, and the time I spent doing the masters made it feel more like an opportunity to learn stuff rather than just spending the time prepping for exams/assessments…. It took me 3 years rather than 1, but I’m reflective so I’d study a topic, then find myself pondering it as I was doing other stuff. If I’d done it full time, like my degree, I think I’d have missed out on the pondering time… if that makes sense!

CMOTDibbler · 21/07/2022 08:19

I'm at the back end of my MBA (last taught module then dissertation) alongside a very full time job. Though work are paying for it, I don't get any time off to study. Its bloomin hard work, and I'm permanently feeling like I should do more, but I'm enjoying it

KittenKong · 21/07/2022 08:20

Do it now! I am studying again (something completely different) and it was evenings but will be weekends from September. I was absolutely knackered doing the evening class (it was a 1.5hr walk from work) so am looking forward to ‘just’ weekends.

I hope your work will be supportive.

GoTraine · 21/07/2022 08:21

I did a master's full-time whilst working full-time and started when DS was six weeks old. The biggest thing for me was ensuring there's flexibility on the actual timing of things like lectures/seminars and the hours you're working. I got a distinction in the end. Good luck OP!

Schmz · 21/07/2022 08:24

I’m completing a masters while working FT
its tough
i’be deferred submission of dissertation due to stress !
but I think it’s doable 👍

Pugdogmom · 21/07/2022 08:24

I've done it OP. Think the main issue is trying to devote time to studying when you have done a full day at work and you are tired, and losing weekends especially when it comes to assignments/essays etc.

I've just signed myself up to more study. Probably mad, but hey ho..🤣

RosesAndHellebores · 21/07/2022 08:28

I did my CIPD exams (6 hours a week at college left work at 1pm on that day but had to make the hours up over the rest of the week) and about 6 hours of personal study. Topped up the dissertation to a Masters the following year (DH paid and it was my 50th birthday present).

It was quite a slog not because it was alongside a full-time job but but also because I had two primary aged children and DH is a workaholic. I didn't achieve due to any sort of saintliness; I had an au-pair.

PandaOrLion · 21/07/2022 08:28

Yes. It was manageable but hard at the beginning but when the MSc required a placement I then went to three days with work to be able to focus on both.

rainrelief · 21/07/2022 08:35

Yes. It was a lot of work and took over my life for two years pretty much. Glad I did it though. I even finished my dissertation months early (started if very early) so I could take the last summer off! That was a blissful summer - knowing I was free when my student peers were still working : ) My dissertation was formed from a piece of work I was doing for my employer (who paid for my masters) which made things easier.

RJnomore1 · 21/07/2022 08:39

Yep. Did a masters while my kids were about 2-5 and 7-10. Since then I’ve done a couple of post grad certificates and my CIPD membership, and now I’m in the final stages of a professional doctorate. It’s not that bad once you get in a rhythm. The doctorate is definitely a huge step up from masters level in terms of time but my kids are 17 and 22 now so it’s possible.

I’ve also managed to have a life round about it. But I did stop ironing years ago.

calmandcaffinated · 21/07/2022 08:44

I am actually doing this now. I worked full time as a teacher when I completed my MA Education part time. I now work full time for the same university I did my MA while doing a PhD part time. It's been tough but definitely worthwhile. The hardest bit has been since I've had my son, but still slogging on.

BiddyPop · 21/07/2022 08:55

I did a diploma by night while working FT (and pg). Having previously done language classes by night for a number of years by night while working.

I did a Masters which was taught FT for 9 months, and then a further 12 months to write my thesis while working FT. So it was a mix. Tough going but DH used to take DD to the ILs for a weekend when essays were due (50% of marks), which was 8 weekends of that 9 month period (Dd was 9 months old at the start). And my bosses gave a reduced workload for a few weeks just when thesis was being finished off.

Original poster
Sishirunak · 21/07/2022 09:01

Thanks everybody. Well done to all those who have completed/are completing it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sishirunak · 21/07/2022 09:01

Especially having children as well, I don't have any, so there's surely no reason I can't manage it

OP posts:
Adversity · 21/07/2022 09:03

My ex finished his PhD and did a full write up whilst working as head of research full time at a company. I lived in another city and was also studying and working full time. I also took some OU modules for fun and professional exams which my workplace paid for when working FT and my DS was at primary school but the levels of energy I had till I hit menopause were on reflection not remotely normal. I studied professional exams and also for fun for at least a decade and when that was done I helped set up a charity.

It is certainly possible though there is always the question of how much support you have and your general efficiency levels, I’m no procrastinator. But I honestly think being someone who doesn’t need much sleep helps. I am 100% fine on 6 hours and ok with 5. DH always needs 7 hours minimum. It’s only an hour but when your day is crammed you need that hour.

Marblessolveeverything · 21/07/2022 09:04

I managed to do a secondary degree and MA - started the degree on my first maternity leave and finished MA on final maternity leave - poor kids had eh, different type of bed time stories.

It is doable, it was very difficult. I hope to do a PHD once the eldest is over his exam year - and finish before the younger one hits his (six year gap!).

Best of luck.

Anothernamechangeplease · 21/07/2022 09:04

Yes, I did my master's over 3 years while working in a very demanding full time job and also had dd at home at the older end of primary school. It was very tough, as I wasn't prepared to sacrifice time with dd, but I did it and am glad now that I did.

bluekostree · 21/07/2022 09:16

I did a Masters in Education when working full time. Work allowed me to finish at 2pm one day per week (but I made the time up by comjng in early). It was grand overall. I did it over 2 years. The second year I was pregnant so tiredness had kicked in!