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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Anyone starting a Masters in October2020?

48 replies

SockYarn · 13/08/2020 19:25

Just that really. Have started the registration process for my Masters, starting part-time in October. Anyone else in the same boat?

I am a (very) mature student, graduated for the first time in 1995.

OP posts:
Reader1984 · 13/08/2020 19:30

I'm starting my 2nd year (of 3) Smile

Dazzedandconfused · 13/08/2020 19:32

I start mine late September! It's a year long distance learning masters in Health psychology. I'm also a mature student (30) but only graduated this year.

vegansprinkle · 13/08/2020 19:43

Are you all doing with OU? I am debating for next year

Reader1984 · 13/08/2020 19:58

Yes I'm with OU. I've been very impressed with it over the last year.

MojoJojo71 · 13/08/2020 20:03

I’ve just finished my PgDip through work but have decided to self fund the extra year to get my MSc. DS is in his last year too so next summer when I turn 50 we should both be graduating with our masters together!

vegansprinkle · 13/08/2020 20:23

@MojoJojo71 that's amazing!!! What a target to work toward!
Well done for getting this far and good luck with the rest

Original poster
SockYarn · 13/08/2020 20:27

Mine isn't through the OU, it's a distance learning one though. I've just applied for student finance for the fees, the form was rubbish though. Asked for my place and date of birth but not my previous name. Hmm

And it didn't seem to link to any sort of data base telling you what you're actually entitled to apply for.. whether it's all the fees or just part fees. So I applied for the whole lot and see what happens.

@MojoJojo71 - that's how I understood it too, they'll fund the first two years of the part time PgDip, if you want the MSc you pay that year yourself. Which is OK.

OP posts:
MojoJojo71 · 13/08/2020 21:43

@vegansprinkle thanks, bit nervous now it’s getting close but I did well in the PgDip and I’ve got a dissertation topic sorted that’s a real interest of mine so fingers crossed it’ll be ok

MaosChaos · 13/08/2020 21:48

I am 😃
Well if the Uni goes, ahead with the course.... I graduated same time as you OP. Think my essay writing needs a very good brush up..

MojoJojo71 · 13/08/2020 21:50

@SockYarn, it’s not too bad when you consider fees for a whole masters can be £10k. Mine is at Teesside Uni and fees are about £650 per 20 credits so less than £2k In total and they let you pay in monthly instalments

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 14/08/2020 06:35

I start in October, 2 years part time and should have been on campus but I imagine we will be online for the first term at least.

20 years since I finished my completely unrelated undergrad but I just finished a different course that has led me into this!

It would be great to have a thread running for moral support as we get going.

drigon · 14/08/2020 06:51

Me too! Starting an MA in Translation in Sept. Another oldie too, as I'm 52, graduated in 1990! I am worried about keeping up with the work tbh.

Sunndowne · 14/08/2020 18:10

I'm starting my MA at last as children leave home. I'm the oldest graduated in 86, post grad certificate in 90. So I'm finally taking it on! Excited. In a London uni but all online first year. Am part time too

A support thread would be Brill.

nachthexe · 14/08/2020 18:17

Me. I graduated in 2000 but was technically a mature student then as well. 😂
Distance but not OU. This will be the fourth or possibly fifth start due to various things, so really is The Time. I just had it confirmed I’m definitely working from home until January, so I think that will make it easier. I just need to make sure I am organised.
I’ve actually planned out all my courses through to completion (I have two potential dissertation/ theses, so will have to make a decision which one to target but I have some time). And of course - I can save the other one for PhD. Grin Might finish that just in time for retirement lol.
It’s really a vanity project, just to prove I bloody well CAN do it.

user1493242132 · 14/08/2020 18:18

@TheWildRumpyPumpus

I start in October, 2 years part time and should have been on campus but I imagine we will be online for the first term at least.

20 years since I finished my completely unrelated undergrad but I just finished a different course that has led me into this!

It would be great to have a thread running for moral support as we get going.

Could I please ask, what the course was that you did? I’m in a massive dilemma and completely lost as to how to actually go about doing this. First degree was in English Lit completed in 2004. Joined a corporate job and have now decided after taking a break at work for 5 years to go back to uni to study something around development/ international relations. But don’t know if I will need to do a BA again or if I could just jump to an MA/ MSc but without any experience in the related field. Completely lost!
sadonfriday · 14/08/2020 18:20

Yes. Masters in Psychology (conversion)
First graduated in 2008, again in 2017. Leaving a well paid career in HR to pursue the dream of the doctorate

TawnyPippit · 14/08/2020 20:59

I’m 56 so v much a mature student. I’m actually just finishing up my masters (done over 2 years, part time). Just got my dissertation to go - which I got a COVID related extension for. I graduated in a completely unrelated subject in 1985!

It has been one of the best - and hardest - things I have done and I would not swap the experience for anything. I just wanted to drop in to say good luck to all of you and happy to answer any questions, if it is at all helpful.

Original poster
SockYarn · 14/08/2020 21:32

So mine is a MSc in genealogy (and some other stuff). Just got the reading list and managed to pick up a key text in the local charity shop for a fiver - result!

The translation MA - what language? My first degree is Spanish.

OP posts:
Sunndowne · 14/08/2020 22:18

Inspiring tawnypitt.
Me too natcthexe- want to prove I'm that standard!!!Smile

drigon · 15/08/2020 01:51

Hi, I'm the translation one, it's French to English.

Original poster
SockYarn · 15/08/2020 09:20

Sorry for referring to you as "the translation one" @drigon - I was on my phone and couldn't scroll back!

It's goo to hear that there are other masters students as equally ancient as me. The course I'm doing attracts an older demographic than a traditional postgrad, so it'll be interesting to see who has signed up.

I'm not worried about the level of learning, but the juggling work and study could be hard. As well as getting back into the swing of writing in an academic style with references.

OP posts:
Original poster
SockYarn · 15/08/2020 09:27

But don’t know if I will need to do a BA again or if I could just jump to an MA/ MSc but without any experience in the related field. Completely lost!

My advice @user1493242132 would be to email the contact person for the course you are interested in. Lay out your situation and ask for their comments. I knew I wanted to do something History-related, but my first degree isn't in History. The course I'm on took me because I have research, family tree and lots of transcribing experience.

Another course I was considering was a more traditional history course, they recommended that I sign up for the OU and take just a couple of their undergraduate degree level modules to prove I would be able to cope with history at a postgrad level. There are options, especially as a mature student.

So in your position there probably wouldn't be the need to do a whole other first degree in a related subject, but they might ask for some other qualifications as a stepping stone. Email and ask! (But make sure you email the actual tutor or course contact person, in my experience the admissions tutors are very good at applying the guidelines but can't make suggestions about what you should do to prepare).

OP posts:
Easylikesunday · 15/08/2020 09:41

I should be starting one at Exeter but they still haven't sorted out their accreditation, so I might have to wait

flatoutpanic · 15/08/2020 09:51

@sadonfriday

Do you mind me asking where you will be studying your masters/conversion? And do you have a science degree already?

I would like to do similar, but there’s so much choice and not all of it seems to lead you anywhere useful...

Thank you!

Easylikesunday · 15/08/2020 10:32

@flatoutpanic I'm doing the same as @sadonfriday . most people I've asked have said that any conversion will do. I don't necessarily agree so that's why I'm waiting on Exeter (they have an elective on clinical psychology)

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