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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:
DappledThings · 13/09/2023 13:24

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

Relatively few programmes interview. References aren't always requested. All transcripts and other supporting docs would have been able to be uploaded with the application.

At this time of year it's totally plausible there would be a quick turnaround from application to offer for anyone who meets the entry criteria.

GCSister · 13/09/2023 13:25

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

It's really not that unusual.... I'm not sure why you seem determined to undermine the OPs choice of university.

Some courses will make offers based on the application, previous study and experience. Not all will interview.

JaukiVexnoydi · 13/09/2023 13:26

I would defer a year. Let the admissions person know that you just intended to make an application for starting in 2024 and assumed that this would happen by default as the closing date for a 2023 start has passed. It's just an admin issue.

I think you are much better off putting 100% effort into your new role. Given the circumstances of your hiring I would be a bit miffed as an employer if I found you were combining work with study like this. It waves a flag that you aren't giving your all to the business.

After a year you can make a business case for how much additional benefit the company could get with you having this additional qualification. If the answer to that it huge, they may pay your fees. If it's modest they may let you self-fund but give you half a day off per week for study leave. If you can't make a case then signing up may be a signal that you will be job-hunting soon.

Christmas202 · 13/09/2023 13:28

Absolutely go for it. 🥰I start my degree in 2 weeks. I’m 30 with 2 children.🫣 my mum says that studying as a mature student is much better.

Drfosters · 13/09/2023 13:28

Go for it. If it turns out it is too much see if you can defer. Not sure what the difference in you starting now or next year. Get it done and out of the way and reap the benefits!

TokyoSushi · 13/09/2023 13:29

Oh my! Go for it OP! Good luck!

PamelaDawes · 13/09/2023 13:29

I run a masters course that is taken as an advanced professional qualification and we start Monday. This is one of the biggest recruitment weeks of the year - we enrol about 10% of our cohort in mid-September. Many professionals don’t plan that far in advance. It isn’t a sign of a poorly run course.

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2023 13:32

Out of interest, what's making it a cheap masters? How much is it costing?

Callmesleepy · 13/09/2023 13:39

That's great, less time to talk yourself out of it! Enjoy it

Legacy · 13/09/2023 13:42

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2023 13:32

Out of interest, what's making it a cheap masters? How much is it costing?

This! I thought all Masters were several thousand pounds?

Personally I would defer. But I like to plan and be organised and get ahead on reading etc.

Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 13:42

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2023 13:32

Out of interest, what's making it a cheap masters? How much is it costing?

It's the online/distance learning. Fees for taking the course in person are almost double, and it was the same for a lot of the courses I've looked at.

OP posts:
Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 13:44

Legacy · 13/09/2023 13:42

This! I thought all Masters were several thousand pounds?

Personally I would defer. But I like to plan and be organised and get ahead on reading etc.

Show quote history

Cheap was definitely a poor word choice on my part. It's cheap for a master's but yes.... still close to £5k a year.

OP posts:
aspirationalflamingo · 13/09/2023 13:48

Ok so £15k? Yeh probably a bit much to ask your brand new employer unless they're hot on training. In some places (even small ones) it is normal for brand new employees to embark on expensive training, but this doesn't sound like that.

aspirationalflamingo · 13/09/2023 13:52

That is cheap compared to £36k for an Oxford master's, though.

Stroopwaffels · 13/09/2023 14:05

I have just completed my Masters, online learning, part time over three years. If you are doing something generally history related at a university in Scotland feel free to message me...

Best thing I ever did.

Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 14:07

I'm definitely not asking for employer funding now. I understand the 'don't ask don't get' mentality totally, but in this situation it doesn't sit right with me. My decision is whether to self-fund year 1 and then see if my employer will help with 2&3, or defer a year and maybe get the whole lot funded.

I'm also looking into tuition fee loans but I'm unclear if that will be an option as there are different guidelines for post-grad, distance learning, and part-time and I'm not sure how it all adds up.

But worst case scenario I can just pay the fees. I'm leaning towards going for it. Smile

OP posts:
ActDottie · 13/09/2023 14:07

I’d just go for it :)

Yarnysaurus · 13/09/2023 14:10

Definitely go for it.

I impulsively enrolled on my masters with the OU as I realised it was the last opportunity to do it under the old (cheap!) OU funding regs. I'm so glad I did and am now finishing off a PhD I'd have never have considered if not for that impulsive decision!

CharlotteBog · 13/09/2023 14:11

If you've got the time (I see you have the money) then go for it while you're feeling excited about it.
Please tell us what it's in.

I did giggle at you accidentally getting accepted to start a Masters on Monday!

CharlotteBog · 13/09/2023 14:13

I can't wait to have more time to study.
When I was at school I had a teacher who did an A level every year. I'd really like to do that.
I have done a couple of online short courses run by Cambridge Uni.

Neekoh · 13/09/2023 14:13

This made me chuckle.

Definitely go for it. There's no time like today!

MsMcGonagall · 13/09/2023 14:14

What time of day are the online sessions? Are they going to be within the working day? How would that fit with the full time job?

Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 14:15

Stroopwaffels I tried to message but I think your settings stop you getting PMs?

CharlotteBog I've been avoiding specifics but I know how annoying it is when posters are vague... it's a sustainability/environment course. Not everybody's cup of tea but something I'm very interested in.

OP posts:
Original poster
TrashPandas · 13/09/2023 14:19

MsMcGonagall It doesn't work like that with most distance learning - you don't log in and watch lectures live. You either get written material or a link to a video you can watch any time. Most of the people doing these kinds of courses are in employment so they make it as flexible as possible.

OP posts:
SirenSays · 13/09/2023 14:19

I think you've made up your mind 😉 Enjoy it OP!