To do a Masters while working full time as a lone parent?

[Namechangelikeits1999]

I'm a lone parent, 2 DC, one about to start high school and one going into Y9. I work full time term time only. My DC are fairly independent and support the idea.
I think this might be the ideal time to finally do my MSc. It would be done in 12 months if I can manage it. Therefore finished before Y10 exams etc for eldest.
I can't drop work hours because of finances, I don't particularly want a student loan either.
Am I completely mad? Anyone done it and have tips?

How will you attend lectures /tutorials etc if you’re working?

It's all online, it says pre-recorded so you can do it in your own time. I have assumed that means I can attend around my work hours.

How will you complete it in a year if you're working full time?

… also consider what you want to do a masters, is it to then continue to PhD because you can do a PhD without a masters (I did and so did many of my friends), plus PhDs often come with a stipend so like an income and it’s tax free, well much of it would be anyway (did mine 25 years ago so not that up on them albeit I still work in HEI research phds are not really in my remit these days

My wife is due to finish a masters in October which she’s done over 2 years. Admittedly not a lone parent but 1 year in I gave birth to dd2 and dd1 was 2 when she started. Also works full time. I think given the age of your children it’s definitely possible ! To be honest she has done it after the kids are in bed & then weekend lectures online with some face to face weekends. The whole thing has minimally impacted our family life to be fair!

It is a conversion course (psychology) so needs to be done before anything else

Ok that’s probably more doable then, but you must check first aS you don’t want to start and find out it’s not achievable if you’re working. What is the contact time? Are there e outhouses in your spare time to do the online stuff and the assignments on top of the guided learning online?

Is it properly accredited?

Ah I see, which uni if you don’t mind me asking?

Yes I'm only looking at accredited options

Outhouses 😵‍💫 meant to say enough hours in your spare time lol

I did a law degree part time (over 4 years) as a lone parent working x4 full days. Kids were primary school aged throughout. I finished work 4.30 and drove to the uni (40min drive) and attended lectures 6-9pm x2 evenings. Would study as much as i could evenings and weekends. It paid off as got a 2:1 but was exhausting. If you think it’s likely to increase earning potential in future go for it but if not i’d maybe wait until they older

The nearest two that offer an accredited, fully online course over 12 months are Man Met and Uni of Bolton. Do you know anything about these unis?

Are there any courses where you can take it part time over 2 years? I think a full time MA on top of what you are doing sounds like a lot, but if you could stretch it over 2 years, it should be doable.

I think it depends on the needs of your children and your situation. I did a masters when my children were young and I was working full time but it only worked because my husband picked up the bulk of the childcare/cooking etc. At your children’s age do they need much in terms of practical things? As in, could you work for a few hours most evenings or do they need ferrying to rugby and swimming? With it being all online I think you have a better chance.

I haven't seen info on contact time. Gives a guideline of 40 hours per week all included. Obviously I can do more on weekends and I have school hols off. Not sure if I'm being overly ambitious but it's only a year right?!
Youngest has promised he'll do his homework when I do mine. Eldest never needs reminding of homework and sometimes cooks.

Yes they offer part time over 2 years but I really would prefer to get it done quickly, more pain but over a shorter time. I'd like to be done before eldest starts Y10. Maybe I can start full time and if unmanageable I can drop to part time..

Sorry no, I’m at UoNotts and they have a psych dept but also clinical psychology in the school of medicine, so wondered if it was either of those. Not sure if they do msc though

Your DC are old enough to be fairly independent, but do you have someone to look after the house? (A cleaner?) Are you going to be able to get them to any extracurriculars they want to do, and be present and supportive for them? Or are you just planning on not sleeping for a year?

I have children of a similar age and I’ve definitely noticed I have a lot more spare time than I used to but not sure I have 40 hours per week of spare time. Even if you did 4 hours per night 7-11 then you
still need to do 10 hours on each of Sat and Sun. I note you have school hols but do they fall at the right times
to be helpful?

I did my masters part time over 2 years as a lone parent with 2 kids working full time. I couldn’t have done it in a year, if you can do it part time I would otherwise I think it’s going to be really hard and exhausting for you

Do you have experience of tutoring single parents who are also working? Do you think it's doable?

You'll be fine, just do it part time over 2 years. Majority of masters tend to be online as people work full time unless placement required. I seen quite few Russell Group uni e.g. Nottingham offer fully online MSc Psychology (Conversion) and its accredited too.

I was thinking about a cleaner yes. There's only one weekly extracurricular that needs my attendance, the others are at school/in walking distance. As for sleep, I'm a poor sleeper anyway!

Yeah they do - https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/psychology-conversion-msc-distance. It's fully accredited and takes 2 years. All online.