To ask if I can transfer from the undergraduate to the master's course?

[ssdfghjuygb]

I've just started an undergraduate degree training to become an allied health professional. I already have an undergraduate and master's in a different (but relevant) subject area.

I applied for the undergraduate course rather than the master's because I wasn't sure if I had enough relevant work experience. However, upon reflecting I probably did have enough... Also I knew that the master's course was already full when I was applying.

I've now started the undergraduate course and I'm enjoying it, but I feel like I've kind of gone backwards. I am happy to stay on the course, but I'm wondering if I could ask if there are any spaces available on the master's that I could apply to transfer onto? Or whether I could progress onto the first year of the master's next year? Or whether to just get on with the undergraduate course.

Would it not largely depend upon the discipline and any registration requirements? Do people normally need an undergrad in the subject to access this masters? You may as well ask them though, to see if it's even possible.

The master's is fully accredited so you can do just the master's to register, you just need any undergraduate degree at 2.1 or above to be eligible to apply (although certain degrees are more advantageous such as mine which is in Biology).

I did a masters in OT. I enjoyed the course and qualified in tow years rather than three. It is however very self directed and if I am being honest I think the undergraduates got a better grounding in anatomy. Other courses may be different but if is a consideration

Have you literally just started?

I'm on a similar course at the moment, there was a really tight window right at the start where people were invited to check if they were eligible to switch to master's track. Worth an ask, but I wouldn't leave it any longer.

It is definitely worth asking. You have nothing to lose (perhaps except fees, do check the funding requirements first!).

It's the first week of term, so I started on Monday

Can’t hurt to ask.

You have to ask your institution. Do it today.

Is the Masters still full though?

I'm not sure, it probably is but I know lecturers have mentioned that it's quite common for some students to never show up for the first day of class/never actually enrol.

If you don't ask, it's definitely a no.

Might still not be possible but it's always worth an ask.

No harm in discussing it. I think you should make a plan for if they say no though - whether or not you would stay on your current course.

I’m assuming it’s costing you a lot of money as you wouldn’t be entitled to student finance. It’s a lot of money to waste on a degree you don’t particularly need or want.

I get funding for the course as it's an NHS allied health profession. I would stay on the current course as it will still lead me to my desired career, it will just take a couple of years longer

Of course you can ask. The worse that can happen is they say no.

You can always ask. Worth bearing in mind that a masters is a lot more intense with less holidays (in my experience anyway). Depends what other commitments you have I guess. I went for the undergrad route in the end as it was less full on so I could still do some paid work and it fitted in better with the kids. Generally speaking I find that undergrads tend to be more 'rounded' than the masters students. Have you looked at how much placement time you get on each course?

I did a similar AHP/healthcare science masters a few years ago. I was part-time due to family commitments but a quite a lot of the full timers went part time after not passing enough modules after the first year as it was full on. They were privately funded, not sure how it would work if nhs-funded.

There was a placement year which was also v demanding but undergrad would have been several placements in different places, so if you have kids the timing and location flexibility of the placements might be worth thinking about. The masters might be modular allowing you to speed up or slow down if life throws you a curve ball.

Having a masters might help with promotion in a few years, and with a biology first degree you might find the undergrad a bit slow if it’s open to people with a non-science background.

I am responsible for these types of courses in a Uni. So, say it's Physiotherapy; you need 1000 hours of practice for registration. The Pre-Reg Masters is usually 2 years, whereas the UG is 4 years (I'm in Scotland.)
The issue will be funded places, as the funding comes through slightly differently. But, it's doable. Ask to do it ASAP, though, because the placement management part of it is really tough at the moment, and the team will need to get onto that. Also, you may well do courses in a different order at M level, because of how your placements will work.
Can't hurt to ask, and good luck. 😀

Thank you all, I've sent an email so now I just need to wait and see. :)

I don't have children or any responsibilities so I'm fortunate that I can drop everything else and just focus on the course. At the moment looking at the lecture slides for the upcoming term I do worry that I will find the undergraduate a bit slow.

Sounds like a masters might be right for you then. I found the first year of undergrad especially slow as it's all about bringing people up to the same level I guess. Second year got a bit harder mind. I guess you also need to consider how good your essay writing skills are. I found with the undergrad they gave you so much help in Structuring them, referencing etc. not sure if you would get that for a masters?

I get funding for the course as it's an NHS allied health profession. I would stay on the current course as it will still lead me to my desired career, it will just take a couple of years longer

Oh interesting OP I didn’t realise that was still a thing! Less to lose then I suppose “just” time.

Glad to hear you’ve emailed, hope they’ve got a place for you

I think you may find the course content is the same for both UG and masters.
They tend to differ in the assessments only

Not always the case. The M level work will be delivered and assessed at SCQF 11 (in Scotland); whereas the UG will begin at SCQF 7 or 8, up to SCQF 10. Can't comment on the systems outwith Scotland, as I don't know enough about them.
There will be more concentration on self-direction, and thinking about research skills and management at M level.
The clinical skills will all be assessed at no more than SCQF 10, because you can't differentiate in how to pass a naso-gastric tube (for example).

I phoned admissions up and they said they think the course is full as it's 'very competitive' and told me I 'should have applied months ago', oh well it was worth a shot!