To be devastated they've withdrawn the course

[LaPetite]

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.

SCONUL is indeed a wonderful scheme. If something like this would make the difference it’s worth finding out if you would get access year round or only in certain periods. I’ve worked in libraries that offered both so something to check.

I’m sorry about the course OP. Fingers crossed something works out for you.

Edited to add: might be worth having a chat with your local university library about access even if they’re not in SCONUL. They might have other access options and are often keen to help where they can.

And the other thing that puts me off about commuting is that it would be harder to be part of the university community.

But maybe that's not so much of a thing for masters students, especially ones over forty?

Which university is it? There are a lot of academics and support staff on here who may have insight.

Thanks so much everyone for all your advice and sympathy x

I'll get over my sulking and start looking at other options soon.

I really don't want to piss on your chips OP, but be aware that if they're cutting the course they may well also decide to get rid of the resources. Eg journal subscriptions.

It's happened where I used to teach.

Would doing it online but being a member of your local University’s library be an option at all?

Totally anecdotal but I have heard lots of people saying there is indeed less social connection at that stage, because people already have established and busy lives outside the course.

DH did his MA recently. He lived nearby but many of the other students (most of whom were mature students) came from further away. Teaching was concentrated on 1 or 2 days a week for the first part of the course. And those were also the times when you got to meet your fellow students. The later part of the course was even more independent study with tutorials.

How much are you likely to use the uni library? Most journal access is now online - but ensure that you can access them online at home. Many town/ city centre public libraries also have areas for quiet study with wifi etc.

His course nearly didn't run. Some EU overseas students were refused visas at the last minute, so it was on the edge of being viable.

Sorry @LaPetite. I would say don’t dismiss online masters courses outright. They aren’t all created equal and many are very good in terms of striking a balance of learning approach that ensures peer group work as well as solo assignments. I am coming to the end of my MBA all done part time online with Liverpool Uni and there is plenty of support and I’ve never felt worse off for not having to physically attend lectures etc.

Hope you find a solution and good on you for pursuing a masters degree. It’s a hard slog but so worth it!

Have you considered the OU? You won’t be online all day, every day and you can make friends across the study group.

That’s so disappointing for you. I hope you can find a workable solution.

YANBU to be gutted. I'm so sorry. I'm an academic (literature, so if that's your area feel free to PM for advice on specifics) and this is happening all over in the humanities. We're being absolutely cut to the bone.

You've had some great advice r.e. SCONUL. I would definitely look at the other courses the uni offers - often the same modules are listed across several MA degrees so those may still run. If e.g. you were going to do a Shakespeare MA and they still run a general English course, you'll likely be able to do the dissertation that you wanted to (unless they are making staff redundant too).

Do look at other nearby institutions. My uni is currently trying to rush a new course onto our books to replace one at another institution that has just closed. You might find close competitors trying to hover up students like you with similar plans. As others have said, most MA students are only on campus for teaching days, so if commuting 1-2 days a week is possible for you, I would look into that.

I'm a good chunk older than you OP and I made amazing friends, older and v much younger, on my masters. Beware the OU if you really want to be at an in person uni. They are not comparable.

Just be aware that there are several levels of SCONUL access each with different permissions depending on the academic level of the applicant. None of them (afaik) give access to the other libraries' electronic resources, such as ebooks and ejournals. It's usually more about being able to use the print resources of the host library on site and have a place to study. If your own university and the host university are part of the eduroam service for access to WiFi, you could potentially access your own institution's e-resources via the host university WiFi service. PhD students can apply to borrow some print materials but I don't think that taught Masters are included for this level. Worth checking it out before relying on it entirely.

Good luck. I hope you can get something sorted.

That’s gutting!

If it doesn’t sound like it’ll run again soon, then I’ll definitely look into a different uni.

I was a mature masters student and it was pretty difficult to get involved with the uni life because we all had kids or jobs etc.

We met up during uni time and met up a few times for social events but finding a time when everyone was free was a pain.

How far is the next closest one to you?

Ok so first up, everything is online now.
90% of the books will be online.

Second of all, even if you went to your local uni, most of the students will have travelled from afar anyway so that’s unlikely to make an impact to uni community life.

Lastly, don’t be disheartened!
Look at other uni’s, don’t let this put you off!
Go for it!

Being told at what in academic terms is late in the year I can totally see is awful. I hope you are able to find something.

sorry this has happened and you’re upset, but you should explore the online course - I did a fully online course a few years ago and was in several group chats with others on the course and still speak to some of them now. It’s not just sitting alone anymore.
this will be the case with many universities in the uk, cutting courses and programmes and units so they don’t need to make redundancies (or as many redundancies). I work at a uni in the UK and it’s terrifying times for staff.

What a shame, I'd be devastated too. It's a huge life change you were planning and it's just been pulled without warning. 😣

That is really sad OP! Totally get why you’re disappointed. Could you revisit the course at different uni further away once DC finishes school?

This happened to my (Adult) daughter and like you,she was gutted.However she looked elsewhere and found a course in another city which was actually better suited to her needs
Try not to be too down hearted (Or at least not for long) as things may turn out better
Good luck

Have you tried the open university? I’m doing a degree with them and actually found it more enjoyable than when I did my brick and mortar degree.
The OU also have a deal with lots of universities so you can use their library . You just need to fill a form in. They have an online library you can access too.

Take a year to regroup. Your son is going into Y13? It’s an important year in terms of grades visiting Unis in the autumn term and doing the application. Leave it a year and research options. I think OU with local library access, maybe ‘week’ of f2f if they do that may be easier than a longer commute weekly. Or with son off to uni you could relocate to where you want to study. Fees are expensive only do the course you love and feel passionate about.

Hi you don’t need to go the library as most things are accessed electronically through the uni library. I didn’t use anything but electronic dourses for my masters a few years ago. I’m now working on a doctorate and have maybe checked out a book 4 times in the last few years. It’s just not necessary to physically go so often so don’t make that an important part of the decision making as it’s easy to work around.

My masters was totally online and I loved it. I worked FT too so was great to work around but maybe look at what’s being offered. We did a lot of collaborative work so wasn’t always alone. We are also cutting courses and programmes and it’s likely this will continue for a while. Good luck! X

I’m doing an MSc online with U of E .
There is lots of interaction through on line seminars , what’s app groups etc etc. Obviously libraries are on line.
It’s great fun you just need to be proactive and suggest a Whats app option to other participants in your cohort .
It’s interesting with MSc as lots of people drop in and out so lots of changes to groups each module . It’s not like undergrad were people rushing from a-b within 3 years .
Good luck ! I hope you find a comparable course .