Tell me about conversion masters

[justnowords]

I have a 2:1 English Lit degree. I am now considering doing a masters. Not entirely sure what I want to do, but have got a good idea what I dont want to do (english/humanities/Law/teaching/psychology). Im leaning towards a vocational masters and have seen some conversion masters for computing and engineering. I dont understand how someone from a different discipline can switch at postgraduate level. Would I need to do another masters after the conversion masters? How would i compete with other students who have done the undergrad in that area. Does anyone know how potential employers view them?

The engineering conversion masters I know let you convert either from one type of engineering to another or from another science degree, like chemistry to chemical engineering or physics to mechanical or electrical engineering. I'm not sure about computing, aspects of that could be more accessible.

Conversion masters don't usually admit students who gave already studied the subject at undergrad level. So if you did an undergrad in computer science you couldn't then do a postgrad conversion in computer science (because it's the same course very very condensed). Usually it's pretty clear which are conversion and which are continuing studies.

An exception is some Engineering ones can be about converting from one type of engineering to another, but again that should be pretty clear in the prospectus.

I did a surveying conversion masters. From psychology and geography.

heatallthebuns, did you find it hardgoing? Did your conversion masters take in any degree area? How did you find your conversion masters fare in the job world?

The conversion masters I did was very hard going - 9-6 four days a week with half day the other one. I had essays due every week until May when I needed to start my dissertation. No one had told me that if you do conversion masters you're no longer considered a student after the teaching part ends (usually start of May if September start) so expected to find work and repay loan before the actual end of the course and whilst doing dissertation.

I had no problems finding and doing work with mine, though it wasn't in an area you're interested in and was barely related to my undergrad.

Not hard going really, was full time, which was real full time compared to all the time off for my first degree. But only as hard as a full time job really. They took any degree. Everyone got really good jobs, the main employers came to visit the course in milkround and most people went on their graduate training schemes.