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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be devastated they've withdrawn the course

92 replies

LaPetite · 02/04/2025 18:23

This is all a bit first world problem I know but I feel like crying but don't want to cry with dc in the house so whinging on Mumsnet instead.

I was offered a place on a masters degree at my local uni. I had everything planned out. Enough savings to see us through and beyond even if I couldn't get a part time job. It was the perfect course for me on a lovely campus just up the road. I've been counting down the weeks till I can leave my job (luckily have not handed in notice as I only need to give a month).

And I've just got an email from the university saying they're withdrawing the course. The whole future I was envisioning has disappeared.

I could try applying to universities in commuting distance, but travel would be expensive and tiring and I wouldn't be able to just pop into the library.

Moving house to be closer to another uni isn't an option when dc is halfway through A levels.

There are universities offering this subject online but I don't think I would get as much out of it as I would from actually being there in person. And I would hate spending my days alone staring at a screen.

I know there are worse things in the world than not being able to do a masters degree but my future's just gone from looking bright and exciting to just being stuck in the same rut.

OP posts:
wizzywig · 02/04/2025 18:24

Oh no! That's so gutting

herbygarden · 02/04/2025 18:25

I'm so sorry that's devastating actually. Can you call the university and discuss. Is there any chance they might run it next year?

TigerRag · 02/04/2025 18:26

Do they have a similar course you could do?

Moonnstars · 02/04/2025 18:27

Is there a similar course they are offering?
Sadly I think universities are making a lot of cuts right now.

ramonaqueenbee · 02/04/2025 18:27

Call them and see what they suggest - possibly something similar? Is it permanently cut or just for this year as not enough applicants etc Hope you find a way through.

fungear · 02/04/2025 18:27

That is gutting, just a thought. I remember when I was at uni that someone was able to get a membership at a different uni library, could this be an option so while you’d need to commute for the face to face contact you could at least study at the library locally?

TweezerMay · 02/04/2025 18:30

Oh that’s so upsetting, I get what you mean about the future you envisioned just disappearing. The university sector is so screwed. Our nearest one has made massive job and course cuts because of falling overseas numbers. And that makes them unattractive to new students so they’re just making the cycle worse.

Mayyouleave · 02/04/2025 18:30

Oh no that is awful. Would communting really be a huge issue? Would you be able to get a student travel card?

MathsMum3 · 02/04/2025 18:30

Sorry to hear that. I did an MSc at a very local university when my kids were late teens so I understand how much you must have been looking forward to it. I really hope you can find a suitable alternative.

Unfortunately a lot of unis are now cutting courses which don't generate much income. I now work part-time at a uni (the same one I did the MSc at) so I'd be interested to know what sort of course it was if you can share. Arts? Humanities? I don't expect it would be STEM?

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 02/04/2025 18:33

Oh no, I’d be gutted too. Have a good mope about it this evening, then get on with investigating other options. You got accepted into a masters course, that means you’ve got something to offer and other people can see this in you. There are other opportunities out there, you just need to hunt them down. You’ve made the decision that you are going to do something, this is a set back, but you are still going to do something, just possibly a slightly different something. Lick your wounds then get back up for another go, you know you’ve got it in you.

Original poster
LaPetite · 02/04/2025 18:34

From the email they sent it doesn't look like they have any plans to run this course again for the foreseeable future.

The admissions team have offered to pass my details on for consideration for a related course at the uni, but I don't think that's what I really want to do.

Thanks for all your kind messages, it's making me feel a bit better!

OP posts:
Original poster
LaPetite · 02/04/2025 18:38

It's an arts subject, probably not very vocational (maybe not even that sensible for me to study), although it was also quite rigorously academic.

But I can see why it would be one of the first to go if they have to make cuts

OP posts:
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 02/04/2025 18:43

Yanbu at all girl, how horrible 🥺

Sorry x

Crazycatlady79 · 02/04/2025 18:44

Can you do similar online?

alcoholnightmare · 02/04/2025 18:46

Let the uni pass on your details for the similar course… could be the best thing you ever did.
im sorry this has happened though, big shame

Asterales · 02/04/2025 18:47

fungear · 02/04/2025 18:27

That is gutting, just a thought. I remember when I was at uni that someone was able to get a membership at a different uni library, could this be an option so while you’d need to commute for the face to face contact you could at least study at the library locally?

This is a great point and just in case it's something you want to look into, it's called SCONUL access and is very straightforward to obtain, most UK universities are signed up to the SCONUL scheme which allows students of of one uni to access library resources at another.

EBoo80 · 02/04/2025 18:47

So rubbish for you. Worth asking for details of the similar course. Lots of Masters now run with some shared modules, so it might not make a huge difference to what you study. And if you had a pet dissertation project in mind, you could still do that as the academics are probably still there. Lots of Masters are sort of being merged to reduce admin load.

Annascaul · 02/04/2025 18:49

Oh, that’s shit Sad

GinForBreakfast · 02/04/2025 18:51

That is sad and you are entirely within your rights to feel distraught. Unfortunately, higher education is going through a crisis right now and you have fallen victim to that.

I really hope you find something that works for you. Learning is a joy.

Original poster
LaPetite · 02/04/2025 19:02

Thanks for all being so nice!

That's good to know about SCONUL, commuting to another uni might not be so bad if I still have access to a library nearby.

I could ask to be considered for the other course, maybe ask for more details, especially about the dissertation. I suppose I wouldn't have to accept a place if offered and I changed my mind.

OP posts:
CraneBeak · 02/04/2025 19:05

I'm so sorry. I work at a university that is forcing us to cut courses at the speed of light and it's heartbreaking to have to turn down willing and enthusiastic students.

I would look into other options however - you can always use the library and it it's a full time course then you're only looking at commuting September through to April, after that it's dissertation time.

GCAcademic · 02/04/2025 19:06

Unfortunately, Masters courses are particularly reliant on overseas students. Those overseas students numbers have dropped significantly in the last couple of years and a lot of Masters programmes are likely to be withdrawn at the moment.

LasVegass · 02/04/2025 19:07

When I did a masters the teaching part was only over a couple of days. It could have been commutable, within reason. How much f2f were you expecting, could it really not work elsewhere?

SpringIsSpringing25 · 02/04/2025 19:12

LaPetite · 02/04/2025 19:02

Thanks for all being so nice!

That's good to know about SCONUL, commuting to another uni might not be so bad if I still have access to a library nearby.

I could ask to be considered for the other course, maybe ask for more details, especially about the dissertation. I suppose I wouldn't have to accept a place if offered and I changed my mind.

I'm sorry, it's gutting when something you had plans to do is taken away from you.

But from Reading, the other posts you may have other options available to you, it would be reasonable enough to spend tonight being pissed off and upset, chocolate and wine or Pilates and lettuce, whatever floats your boat! Then crack on tomorrow (preferably at work😆😀😀) looking at the other options that people have suggested!!

I'm envious. A masters seems achievable, I have a serious case of brain fog & in no way could cope with the thought!! Let alone actually doing it

Original poster
LaPetite · 02/04/2025 19:20

LasVegass · 02/04/2025 19:07

When I did a masters the teaching part was only over a couple of days. It could have been commutable, within reason. How much f2f were you expecting, could it really not work elsewhere?

Yes, the teaching would likely be only two days a week, but I was thinking I would also have to travel in regularly to use the library. If I can use the library at my local uni it might not be so bad.

OP posts:
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