Fulls time masters + children + job

[MANATEEequineOHARA]

So...I want to do Masters next year, NO funding is available and the MRes I want to do has no part time option! I could cry, but being stubborn I think I will apply anyway.

Has anyone managed to work while doing Masters? And having children? Am I insane to try??? Any advice appreciated

I'm coming to the end of a full time masters with a 2.5yr old DS... but no job!

It would have been impossible to do my FT masters with a FT job, or any job at all for that matter! Attendance at lectures was 3 afternoons a week and the workload was massive, far far worse that at undergrad level. Plus a lot of it was "groupwork" so you had to be available to your collegues for that. Just the masters was more work then when I was doing 2 full time jobs when my collegue was off long term sick!

You also need to consider the impact of doing your MA on your child and family. My partner has been great - we have DS at nursey full time plus my partner has him usually 1 day each weekend. That's only 1 family day a week and no time to chill for DP.

Do you know anyone whose done the MA full time that you could ask about workload? And could you do it part time through the Open Uni?

Oh god, that does not sound good! I don't want to do OU, I have studied with OU before but am now at Exeter and really love Exeter Uni. Also I could get a discount on fees staying there providing I get a 2.1 or first, I should get a 2.1 at least.

My children are used to my studying full time at undergrad level, and working part time. I am single so no partner to have to consider

OMG I want to do it soooo much, but that does not sound encouraging!

What Masters do you want to study?

Exeter released information on funding for masters and phd courses this week. Have you looked to see if there are any studentships available?

Yeah, within the geoagraphy department there is only funding for +3s, not even 1+3s. Sucks. Had a meeting with my diss supervisor who said there must be some way to get funding and if not there is no justice in the world! That was really nice of him - I do hope he turns out to be correct, he said he will see...

I am doing mine distance learning via Lampeter; costs £1100 per annum in 3 hits.

I mark GCSEs to pay for it.

You get access to uni libraries in the UK for books etc.

Sorry, meant to add doing mine p/t.

I am thinking about various other p/t masters now. Just so damned angry with the ESRC for only allowing the MRes at Exeter to be full time.