Can you get funding for a postgraduate masters if you have completed an undergraduate masters?

[SunburstsOrMarbleHalls]

My DS initially wanted to apply for a degree in computer science (with a year in industry) then a postgraduate masters in cyber security.

On Saturday we visited Lancaster university and DS loved the overall feel of the campus and the computer and communications faculty.

All of the other unis that DS is looking at offer Computer Science with a year in industry as a Bsc.

Lancaster Uni offer:
Computer Science Bsc (3 years no year in industry) or
Computer Science (With Industrial Experience) Msci Hons

Ds has just asked if he did the undergraduate Msci Hons course could he still get funding to do the postgraduate Cyber Security Masters? - Would it technically count as a second masters therefore make him ineligible for funding?

He has asked at his school but they are not sure and the student reps at Lancaster didn't know either.

The gov website states you're not eligible if "you already have a master’s degree, or a qualification that’s equivalent or higher". Assuming the rules don't change by then, this would make him ineligible.

Thanks NoBaggyPants that is what I thought, DS was initially confused as he wondered whether the undergraduate Msci was considered the equivalent level as a postgraduate masters.

If he wants to go to Lancaster he may be better doing the Bsc 3 year Computer science and try to get work experience during summer then apply for the Msc in Cyber security.

It looks like the modules are the same for the first three years. Worth asking if he committed to one, if he could swap to the other during the course if he changed his mind? I imagine there will be many with a similar predicament.

I reckon he could swap, like Baggy Pants suggests.

Also beware 'Year in Industry'. Get the stats on how many students really get places, and what quality they are, who has to find them, etc.

No unfortunately not. Despite the fact that UG funding is available for the whole integrated masters it still counts as equivalent to a stand alone masters.

I'm pretty sure it's not classed as a postgraduate qualification, the year in industry will just add another year onto his student finance.

Has he investigated Lancaster University's system of major/minor subjects in the first year - it does mean they are quite used to students swapping what their major is at the end of the first year.

Yes the first three years are identical so that is a question worth asking, he wanted the year in industry as he hoped the experience would help with employment prospects in such a competitive industry. He has always wanted to work in cyber security (things may change during his degree though) and thought an additional masters qualification in his specific area of interest could help him in the future.

Meant to also add the undergraduate Msci with industrial experience isnt a full year in industry, it is a 10 week placement.

If it's just a 10 week placement he could do similar during the summer.

If you check the criteria for a masters loan on the government website, www.gov.uk/masters-loan, you'll see that if you hold anintegrated masters, you're not eligible for a masters loan (degree must be at a higher level than one already held)

media.slc.co.uk/sfe/1920/pgl/sfe_pgl_application_notes_1920_o.pdf

in many courses this 4th year is fairly equivalent to the courses you'd take in masters level study, but would be covered by UG funding (that was why these integrated masters were created), but here it looks like the addition of an additional year for a placement is a little excessive - 10 weeks could be done over a summer...

As undergraduate fees are applicable to an integrated masters it is much cheaper than doing a stand alone masters and therefore less total loan to pay back. I would advise checking content and fees of potential stand alone cyber security MSc and comparing that with optional advanced modules in the final year Lancaster integrated MSc.

If Lancaster has a good computer science department that is reactive to developments, the available modules may well be equivalent to other stand alone courses.

Also nothing prevents him from starting on the MSc course and then deciding at the end of his second year to change to the BSc.

I know recent graduates who have got jobs in cyber security with a Computer Science BSc, so in fact a good BSc should provide the basics required.