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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

This is awkward. Apparently I'm starting a master's on Monday.

90 replies

TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 12:52

I've been wanting to do another master's for ages. It's related to my work and I just started at a new, small company, so my plan was to prove myself, show I'm a good investment, then ask around summer time if they would fund the course for September 2024.

The university website said applications for September 2023 had closed in August. So although the button still said "apply for September 2023" I assumed it just hadn't been updated. Though I'd get my application in nice and early and make a headstart on the reading list for 2024.

Well, no. I got an offer this morning to start on Monday.

Am I mad to go for it? It feels like a huge thing to do with so little prep, but at the same time I'm very excited about the course and feel I should strike while I'm motivated.

Or should I defer a year? If I do I can perhaps get my employer to fund it (I definitely can't ask them to fund me right now) but the course is pretty cheap and it won't cause me hardship to self-fund.

Ahh I'm excited and nervous!

OP posts:
greengobbledygook · 13/09/2023 12:53

Go for it!! Don't talk yourself out of it, you clearly want to do it. It'll better your future and if it's not going to put you in hardship it's totally worth it!

ilovepixie · 13/09/2023 12:53

Do it now. Strike while the iron is hot! You never know what will have happened in a year.

Stropalotopus83 · 13/09/2023 12:54

Go for it!!

3luckystars · 13/09/2023 12:54

Why wait? If you have everything you need now then there is no need to wait a year.

I cannot imagine anything worse, I have been studying my whole life and my last course cured me for life, I’m never doing anything ever ever again. Ever.

what’s the Master in btw? 😂

JodyMitchell · 13/09/2023 12:54

I teach masters courses. It’s great if you make a start on the reading list early but I’m fairly sure that most of my students don’t, and most of them do well!

Do it, and good luck!

Lindy2 · 13/09/2023 12:55

If you're excited to do something then that's the time to do it.

You can afford it, you want to do it and you're already on the course. Go for it.

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 13/09/2023 12:57

Why can't you ask your employer? Worst thing they can say is no.

If it's because you're still in a probationary period, maybe ask if they will consider once that is completed?

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:00

You have just started at a new and small company?

I would be speechless if they fund this

Are you working part time and doing the masters?

aspirationalflamingo · 13/09/2023 13:00

Doesn't hurt to ask them still.

The opportunity is there now, might as well seize it.

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:01

It sounds hopelessly disorganised that they email student 3 days before start date

and presumably before then you need to pay them a heck of a lot of money?

aspirationalflamingo · 13/09/2023 13:02

Which university?

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:03

I think there could well be “harm” in asking

the OP has only “just started” it is not just a small company y but it is also “new”

I think it would show a spectacular failure to read the room to ask for funding

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:03

aspirationalflamingo · 13/09/2023 13:02

Which university?

One that emails it’s new students three days before start date!

ReadySalty · 13/09/2023 13:04

Seize the opportunity!

SayNoToDoorToDoor · 13/09/2023 13:08

Speak to your company and see what they say. If they won’t fund it are you able to do so yourself?

Is the Masters full time or part-time?

Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 13:14

Why can't you ask your employer? Worst thing they can say is no.

The salary I asked for was more than they intended and they had board meetings about it and everything. Asking for more money a few weeks later feels a bit misjudged!

To answer other questions:
I work full-time. The course is online learning, part-time over three years. About 10 years ago I did a two-year master's while working FT and it was fine, so I'm not worried about that aspect.

I don't want to be too specific but it's a good university. It's in the top 20 of the league tables I looked at. I only applied this month so it doesn't say anything about their organisational skills that they only just accepted me! My fault for assuming I was applying for 2024...

OP posts:
Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:17

Asking for more money a few weeks later feels a bit misjudged!

yes yes and yes.

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:17

When are they asking for payment?

DappledThings · 13/09/2023 13:18

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:01

It sounds hopelessly disorganised that they email student 3 days before start date

and presumably before then you need to pay them a heck of a lot of money?

She only just applied, how could they have emailed her earlier?

GCSister · 13/09/2023 13:20

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:01

It sounds hopelessly disorganised that they email student 3 days before start date

and presumably before then you need to pay them a heck of a lot of money?

If she's only just applied then how could they email her earlier?
It's great that the application had been processed quickly and they've been in touch....

I run a masters which starts next week and I'm still processing late applications and email these students as soon as I can. It's pretty normal.

GCSister · 13/09/2023 13:20

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:17

When are they asking for payment?

It will be when she enrols ..... as it is at all universities 🤷🏼‍♀️

AnSolas · 13/09/2023 13:20

Go for it.
You will never know what can happen in the future.
And while your employer may not be directly funding it asking for study time can bebseen as a non-cash BIK so easier to approve.

Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 13:21

Thank you (almost) everyone for being so encouraging. Smile

OP posts:
GCSister · 13/09/2023 13:22

Definitely go for it!
I get people in your situation on my course every year. They always get settled in and cope perfectly fine.
Good luck!

Bottlerecycle · 13/09/2023 13:22

You applied online for a masters and the next contact you get is that “you start on Monday”?

I had to provide additional documentation, references were sought from my previous tutor, I had a zoom interview to discuss my personal statement in further detail