MPA Public Administration/Policy?

[Ohsoverytired11]

Hi, looking for some advice regarding the above courses. I have a previous degree in Primary Education at a 2.2 which I gained 10 years ago after having no motivation to study once I realised I had picked the wrong course. After a short-lived teaching career which was definitely not for me, I secured what was meant to be a stop-gap administrative role working in local government. 5.5 years later I have managed to secure 3 promotions and I love it! However, I have an urge to study further to be able to aim higher in future job roles and I feel that I am in a good place to do this (much better than when I did my undergraduate degree and was too frightened of what my mum would say if I switched courses) Is anyone able to give some insight regarding the following questions:

1. The University near me which offers the course asks for a 2.2 degree in any subject, however, lots of others ask for a 2.1. Am I being over-ambitious? Even tho I meet the academic requirements would I be likely to be turned down or have an increased chance of struggling later on?
   Additionally, would I be viewed as "flakey" for having a professional qualification that I have chose not to use (17 year old me with zero life experience thought teaching seemed like a good idea at the time!).

2. Has anyone found this to be useful in terms of future job prospects? Although I want to do it for my own development, providing my family with a brighter financial future is a big motivator.

1. I would be starting the course at 33, with an 11 year old and 3 year old and a full-time job. Am I fucking nuts? (I do have a supportive partner who also works full-time)

Any advice/information would be appreciated.

Depends on what uni you’re applying to. I don’t think you’d make the cut for Oxbridge (Oxford has a course like you describe), but I think you could scrape in somewhere else if you can demonstrate the policy-related impact you have in your current post, change that you have brought about, high profile projects that you have made a significant impact on. If you don’t have a 1st in your primary degree, you can make up a lot of “points” with these other factors.

@crosspelican definitely not oxbridge!! Thank you for the advice.

Your application is going to be scored and every piece of “impact” (and leadership) you can demonstrate is a point. Stack them up! You’re already thinking strategically about it so you’re off to a strong start.

Also talk to the faculty at your target university - be visible, ask questions, show positive engagement & emphasise how much you can TAKE AWAY from the program rather than how much you can BRING to it (all the male applicants will bore them to tears with that sort of over-confidence).

@crosspelican I have made a note if everything you have said. Thank you. It is the University of Nottingham that I am looking at. I thought that they would want higher grades but they just specify 2.2 in any subject.

Best of luck!

I think an MBA is a better qualification to go for. I know local government employees with this.