Masters which only offers pass/fail

[MatureStudentToBeMaybe]

I am seriously considering studying a data science masters as part of a post redundancy career break and refocus.

I've been looking at a particular degree, and noted it only offers pass/fail. Is this a bad thing? For a masters to help with my career would it need to be distinction/merit?

As I have read on previous threads there are cheaper ways to learn data science, part of the point of the masters is the bit of paper, so I need to make sure it's a good bit of paper....

Thanks in advance for any input

I have no clue about data science I’m afraid - but I can say my MA Distinction walks a couple of days ahead of me into any (virtual) room. It’s a cloak of visibility.

So, in a world where other people don’t have Distinctions it matters a bit. But if there were no grading at all, just Pass or Fail for my subject, and that was a known thing, I daresay the name of my institution would be persuasive enough by itself.

So, is the university you’re considering such a high quality name (for that subject) that attendance alone opens all doors?

The quality of the university/teaching and the content of the course will be more valuable than the marginal difference between a pass and a merit.

The point of a distinction is to get an interview IME. Assuming it's a manual sift, if the sifter is unsure it tends to get you put in the interview pile.

Is pass/fail the sector norm? Because if so, it doesn't matter. If not, it might be worth contacting the admissions tutor and finding out the reasons for it in this case.

Thanks. The university in question is Edinburgh, the course content is different to other universities, I think in a good way (for my circumstances). The sector in general appears to have graded degrees. I am hoping Edinburgh is a good enough name, and if my dissertation was in a relevant topic then lack of merit/distinction won't matter.

Hmm …

Is the course fully staffed, well established / recognised and well attended?

Because my first thought was that they’re saving on labour by only giving Pass or Fail.

Why and how is this course different to others? Is it online only? Are the entrance criteria less demanding, maybe? It’s accepted wisdom in any academic subject that the best courses are the hardest to get onto, so …

(Again, I know nothing about this particular subject, but I’ve been around plenty of universities.)

If I saw it on a cv I'd assume you only got 50-59% in the course.

Of course a lot of people don't say their masters results in a cv or degree but then I'd also assume they only just scraped a pass, else they would say 2.1 or merit.

(I know something like medicine is just pass fail and phd are but not other things)

MScs at Edinburgh in Informatics usually have distinctions, is this some kind of different programme? Is it something in the Futures Institute perhaps?

I don't put my MSc grade on my CV. And the majority of CVs I read don't either. I recruit 5-10 people a year and have never shortlisted on distinction vs pass on a masters but I appreciate I am only one person.

Thanks. The course is www.ed.ac.uk/bayes/about-us/education/data-science-technology-and-innovation

My concern is the lack of grading is a sign its not considered a serious degree, and my effort what be better spent else where.

I am attracted to the institution, modular nature of the course and to an extent the course content - though I would be doing additional study to compliment the syllabus.

Why do you think it only had pass fail?

Both my masters (Bioscience based) and my PGDE were overall pass/fail courses. Course transcripts for the MSc showed percentages for each module. I am fairly sure I would have had a distinction for this if they had them, but it has never been an issue. PGDE was simply pass/fail for each assignment/placement, and again I don't feel this has ever held me back.

I don’t see where it says there are no merits and distinctions, which are standard for Edinburgh taught masters?

www.ed.ac.uk/bayes/about-us/education/data-science-technology-and-innovation/programme/assessments only refers to pass mark, other degrees I have been reviewing contained details of merit/distinction in a similar section. I am contacting the admissions team to confirm.

I did wonder if it was the sign of something viewed more as professional development than academic. Given my age, and point in career this may not be a bad thing, but I want to go in eyes open.

If the link to the assessment regulations wasn't broken, it would show the requirements for merit and distinction. A search on the university's web page should find the regulations.

You're right to check with the department though, in case there is a special arrangement.

The admissions team have confirmed merit and distinction are offered. I think I am getting cold feet before taking the plunge and looking for excuses!

Ha!

Glad you’ve solved that.

I am really interested in this same masters, was just looking at it again today!
It's such a lot of money though and I was worried it might be a bit of a 'vanity' degree. But it looks really interesting!

@Lipstucky look at Imperial, then it seems cheap! But yes, it's definitely on the more expensive side, though hopefully that is reflected in the quality of teaching.

Go for it. I work in an industry that is crying out for data scientists.

If you're in Edinburgh, keep an eye out for things like datathons (Deloitte usually do one each year), and the stuff that codeclan do (as a student you can volunteer to support - 'tis awesome). It's good to be able to evidence beyond your MSc.