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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it worth doing a Master's?

32 replies

Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 16:27

I have a Degree in Languages, and a PGCE. I've been accepted onto an MA in Education course, which I was really keen to do part-time but now I'm unsure.
I'm interested in working in university roles but it appears that they are very scarce.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to take on another 12k of student debt added to the 37k I already have, for something that will be nice to have but will not guarantee anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 16:28

Looking on job sites, there's very little demand for lecturers sadly. There's far more for school teachers, and I'd be interested in FE level too but this doesn't require a Master's. Just not sure if it would improve my earning power or do anything other than lumber me with more debt.

OP posts:
ChagSameachDoreen · 06/08/2022 16:30

No point.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 06/08/2022 16:31

I'm doing an MPH, I figure at this point adding to my debt with a graduate loan makes no difference and ultimately I think in career progression will help. It is tough going though doing it alongside work.

chrisswakeup · 06/08/2022 16:31

I've a masters in a vocational Uni subject and most of the Uni lecturer roles I've seen ask for a PHd.

Original poster
Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 16:31

My Dad himself lost his job as a lecturer due to budget cuts..and despite a PhD and a fantastic research background he hasn't been able to get another one.

OP posts:
CapMarvel · 06/08/2022 16:33

I did a masters - in a different field - and now regret both how much it cost and the huge amount of stress it caused me. It provided zero benefit to my career.

Original poster
Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 16:34

I'm sorry to hear that :/
I may consider another Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma instead as a compromise..

OP posts:
heddgiemum · 06/08/2022 16:39

I've done a masters in Education and am now doing my EdD. Last year, I moved from secondary teaching to sixth form teaching.

Has it helped my career? Not really. I do think it has made me a much better teacher, and I think that did help me get the job at the college. College jobs can be competitive to get, and so it can give you the edge. However, I was lucky I did uni before loans really came in, and Labour govt paid for most of my masters, so it's not much debt just for my EdD. I'm also not doing this to work in HE, I'm very happy in FE. So depends what you want to get out of it. I have gained loads personally, and it really has transformed my teaching, but not so much professionally.

Repainter · 06/08/2022 16:45

I’m currently recruiting for a science based job (not lab-based) with a 6 figure salary. While a PhD is a preferred rather than a basic requirement, no one seems very concerned about the education aspect. As long as someone has a degree, that’s enough. I haven’t seen anyone mention education in the interviews I’ve been involved in. Like most jobs, experience outweighs a 20 yr old degree. I’ve also never heard anyone discuss the class of degree either. Maybe it has some relevance if you’re younger and trying to distinguish between two good candidates. As long as you have a primary degree, that seems to be enough in my department.

I’d only do this Master’s if it is essential for future jobs and/or will distinguish you in some way from others. Could it be helpful for a headteacher role?

PersonaNonGarter · 06/08/2022 16:48

I would work backwards. What career do you want? Does it require a masters? Does a masters mean more money?

if the answer to the questions is No then don’t bother. Because studying is a right stress.

WeAreAllLionesses · 06/08/2022 17:01

How old are you? Depending on what else is going on in your life I would seriously consider it.

If you're mid twenties, no kids, lots of time to study then yes. If you're late thirties, family, job etc etc then it will be more challenging and potentially less worthwhile.

But there is a third angle - about being interested for the learning, not what it will do for you.

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 06/08/2022 17:05

Do it if you want to do it and have a passion for the subject. As an academic, fortunately in a growing discipline, I would never tell anyone to go into debt in the hope of an academic career right now, the sector is too unstable. I feel very lucky to have landed a post when I did (not long ago) because I would likely not have a job if I were coming in now.

SeptemberGurl · 06/08/2022 17:38

I'd really not recommend looking for a role in academia these days. In my field (tech/sw), there are large number of PhD students and almost no opportunities other than short term research contracts at Uni, with more & better opportunities in industry. And with Brexit. we're losing a lot of funding opportunities in the coming years, Horizon funding, etc.

However, if you are interested in a Masters, and can afford it, I'd strongly recommend going ahead and doing it. My MSc didn't directly help my career the are of my work changed), but it helped in getting a different visa for working abroad. I also enjoyed it (but worked hard)

fernz · 06/08/2022 17:44

The only good thing to come out of my Master's was that it helped me realise academia was not for me.

I've since done a professional training (Pg Diploma) in a different area of work and that's really helped because it actually led to a career.

MintJulia · 06/08/2022 17:57

Are you intending to do a phd as well. My niece did her masters, a phd and now a junior research fellow in AI, but competition for her role was very very hot.

My sis has a masters in education but did it part time while working as a teacher. It didn't get her any extra money and if anything, made finding a job harder, because schools don't have the budget to pay more. She did it for her own pleasure.

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 18:16

My Masters qualified me for my job but do not underestimate the workload. It was much much more than an undergraduate course and I have don't think many people talk about that.

H3ll00 · 06/08/2022 18:26

It could be worthwhile depending what you want from life. The MA below would make you a dyslexia specialist, which is a great job to fit around children, as there are a lot of work from home roles that are £30-£40 per hour

www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/dyslexia-research-and-practice

Original poster
Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 18:28

Thank you for your answers.
I just think it would silly to spend 7.5k simply for a love of learning, it's a lot of money! I'm doing it to progress in my career but there's no guarantee of anything, so I really don't know

OP posts:
Sandinmyknickers · 06/08/2022 18:35

I did a masters and am so glad I did as it was very specific and vocational with a clear job at the end (town planning) and it's allowed me to now spend 5 years in a career I love and be a chartered professional. If I weren't clear on the job outcome, there is no way I would jave done it

Also please don't think of undergrad and masters debt as the same. Masters debt is a lot worse. Undergrad just comes out your paycheck dependent on how much you earn and you might never pay it all off and will have it written off. Masters debt you won't and will probably end up paying way more than the loan amount once you've eventually paid it off with all the interest it's racked up..

Not saying its a bad idea, but be realistic about the debt and maybe pick something with a more certain career path

Sandinmyknickers · 06/08/2022 18:38

If its for love of learning, maybe explore other course options like the open University or night classes or online (sorry its not something I know alot about, but you don't need to do formal degree to some more learning and get ither certificates or diplomas that might be useful?)

HerRoyalNotness · 06/08/2022 18:40

Iamkaos · 06/08/2022 16:34

I'm sorry to hear that :/
I may consider another Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma instead as a compromise..

This is what I’m thinking after I finish my UG this year. I don’t like or need the research aspect so a PgDip might be more useful. It sure what they cost full time, but part time through the uni I’m doing my BA through is £7k (online)

OneCup · 06/08/2022 18:40

Is it teaching or research you want to do? For research, you'd need a PhD and that wouldn't guarantee a post. It's a super competitive field. I know many people who would deserve jobs that have been stuck on fixed term contracts for years.
If you want to teach, there's a bit of leeway but you'd have to be absolutely excellent in terms of subject knowledge and teaching experience....and lucky as there aren't many jobs around.
Could a master's help you go into SLT roles in secondary education?

DillDanding · 06/08/2022 18:43

I think it depends on your career.

My son needs an MA for his job. Luckily, his employer pays for it and he does it pt.

dane8 · 06/08/2022 19:01

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

izzy2076 · 06/08/2022 19:08

I'm coming to the end of my Masters in Special Education. I've loved it. I'm not sure what it will lead to be it's made

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