Mature study and retraining
Degree equivalency application assessment
Movingtonumber4 · 13/02/2022 09:24
I've applied to do a master's part-time, supported by my employer. I have a professional qualification at diploma level, but no degree. The university have asked that I complete a 600 word assignment in lieu of having a degree, before they accept me onto the course
I am unsure how to best use these 600 words. I can either demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of perspectives on the questions they have chosen, but at a very superficial level, or give more detail on one or two key points.
I know the purpose of the assignment is to show I can write and think at grad level (they've asked for a minimum of 5 references) but I am really struggling to showcase this in 600 words.
Does anyone have any advice?
TottersBlankly · 13/02/2022 15:57
I’m wondering what to say to you …
I imagine you had some discussion with someone (admin or a tutor?) at the university? And I assume you’ve talked about the Master’s with people at work?
The thing is - 600 is almost nothing; just over a page of text. Struggling to decide what to include is the essence of the task. I honestly think you need to take a leap and have the courage of your convictions on this - it’s your opinion on what needs to be written that counts, not other people’s. If you start the postgrad degree you’ll presumably be writing countless essays by yourself - you can’t put each one to a committee …
I do realise that sounds harsh! But no-one here could give proper advice without knowing your subject. And if five posters give subject specific advice there’ll be very little left for you to do.
TottersBlankly · 13/02/2022 16:08
(In fact, if you hadn’t written it three times, I might wonder if you hadn’t actually meant six thousand words.)
Movingtonumber4 · 13/02/2022 16:14
I wish it was 6000 words!
What you've said doesn't sound harsh at all. I was trying to be so thorough and demonstrate that I am capable of the course, so found a ridiculous number of references, but then found myself overwhelmed at how on earth to pull all that reading in to 600 (hundred!) words. I've had a good amount of time today to attack it and feel much more on track. Your point about having the courage of my convictions is what I told myself earlier and so it's great to hear it from someone else.
TottersBlankly · 14/02/2022 08:15
Glad you’re making progress.
(And hugely relieved that you didn’t take offence!)
I hope (assume) you’ll get in - and that you’ll keep updating on how it goes.
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