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?

Surely not @VickyEadieofThigh 🤣

Well done @whoopdiedoo !
I'm determined to do it somehow

If you think you might end up doing a PhD, then you will need an excellent thesis at MA level and top grades. I would take two years in that case.

Yes I'm coming round to doing it part time so I can do it really well

I admire your ambition OP, and sympathise with your situation, but I did am MSc a few years ago, and I don't think it would be possible as a lone parent working full time. I would say a masters is equivalent to a part time job. I was already quite familiar with the subject matter. Sorry

A friend same position as you has just completed year 1 of a masters. Kudos.

Have you considered the OU for the conversion course?

https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f92

I tutor (psychology) for the OU and have also lectured at Universities and would say that the quality of materials and support at the OU is so much higher.

I did a masters full time when my son was 6, as a single mom, but was not working. I got a scholarship and bursary. NGL I struggled but passed with a distinction. Your kids sound older more independant, so it is deffo do-able.

Just be realistic with time and be super duper organised. Get stuff / essays etc done as much in advance as you can...because as you know sometimes shyte happens and all of a sudden you are behind. Best of luck what ever you decide.

Really @tryingtobesogood ? I did briefly look at it but maybe naively thought a "real" university (as in, has a building) would be looked upon better.. I'm very open to correction though

I wouldn’t. When would you have any time?

I'm currently doing this, not psychology though. DD is 8 and I work full time. Other parent isn't involved at all so I don't get EOW off or anything like that.

I've done mine through the degree apprenticeship route, so I get one full day a week at home to study and do whatever else is needed in the evening or weekends. The course is going to take around two years, the apprenticeship element means you have to be on programme for a certain period of time before you can complete the end point assessment.

When I'm dead 😆

I wouldn't bother. Not for Psychology. That's a lot of work for no payoff. You won't be able to do anything with it other than more study,

I have done it working full time and I mean 12 months a year full time not just full time term time which is technically part time IMO. Very doable if pre recorded and you have evenings free. I also parent alone and have no second parent but if you have you can utilise your weekends and then you have the many mid term or half term holidays also to study. Good luck with it.

Psychology conversion is a bit different though, it's about securing GBC status to be able to progress down the career path. You would need outstanding results plus competitive experience. And potentially to have done certain modules for specific EdPsyD institutions. The institution where you did your psych conversion is less relevant because they're all accredited as meeting the standard for GBC.

I don't mean this in a horrible way, but reading your posts I do think you need to do more research about this path and your different options - irrespective of the question about whether it would have been feasible to do full time alongside a full time job and parenting. Have you looked at the guidance about what your EdPsyD application would need to show to be competitive?

On another note, you asked up thread about tutor contact and assuming that you'd only get tutor interaction with a local institution even if not attending lectures. That's not the case. If you joined a proper distance programme (rather than an in-person programme where you just decide not to attend lectures) then it will be set up to give you that support and interaction. Off the top of my head, aside from the OU, Glasgow is another one with a strong reputation for its online programmes and the psych conversion.

Can't you do it over 2 years. I am starting a Masters next month but as I work full time with 4 kids I have decided to do it part time. X

Was that a conversion degree though?

What would you want to use the psychology degree for? I only ask because I’m a Clinical Psychologist and whilst I love my job it’s a long long route after completing your degree and it’s low-paid until you can get onto the doctorate so I’d have a real think about what the masters would lead to.

Sorry just read the full thread. If you have studied quite recently then go for it. Lots of people have said it's a slog when you been out of education for a long time.

I did a part-time MBA while I was working and while I had young children. I did have a husband but he was very busy and self-important and was next to no help.

I learnt to be very efficient with my time - at work, at home and with studying and completing assignments. And a few pieces of work were completed at 2 or 3 in the morning. Those skills have remained with me - being able to assimilate a lot of information quickly, and working well to hit a deadline.

It was stressful though.

I would suggest that if you are working FT, to do the course PT. Conversion courses are very intense and require dedicated time towards watching the learning materials, doing additional reading, assignments etc. ManMet is great for support and content/resources.

I did a mostly remote masters whilst working full time but child free. I took two years, and then had more time thereafter to write up my dissertation. On that timescale it basically sucked up every non working awake hour, and ate into my sleep. There were people doing it in one year, but every single one of them were doing it full time whilst not working. Most of the people who completed in two years whilst working full time were child free, and those who completed with children had supportive partners. Quite a lot of people dropped out and just gained a certificate after one year.

Just want to revive this thread as I have now applied to several different universities and they seem to be offering places with wildly different fees, cheapest being 7k and dearest is 12k. It is very tempting to go for the cheapest given that the qualification I'll end up with will be the same.

Am I wrong to think this way? I need proper advice from people in the know!

Hi, I’m a clinical psychologist and I am involved in course selection for the doctorate. I can say with some certainty that it makes absolutely no difference where you do the conversion, the qualification is what matters. Also (I’m not sure how expensive this is) but the OU is well regarded for conversions, people can dismiss it as not a ‘real’ university but all the people I know who’ve studied with the OU have had positive experiences.

There is some misinformation in this thread about needing a PhD to become a psychologist, it’s clear from your responses that you thankfully understand the difference between a PhD and a taught doctorate. It is a long road ahead to qualify, but I don’t think being a lone parent should deter you. I know a number of people who did Masters (and doctorates!) as single parents. I wouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself to complete in a year though. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Thank you @Plastictreees
In that case I might as well do the cheapest. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for OU.