Obtain a 'Free' BA degree or not through work?

flutterbyuk25

Afternoon all

I have been offered the chance to study for a part time BA degree free of charge at a local uni. It's in Youth & Community Work, which is the field I work in.

However I already have a BA degree in a different subject.

The offered degree is incredibly interesting (and if I had my time again it's what I should probably have done at uni!), and it's a good opportunity.

But I'm wondering whether there is any point in me actually doing it when I already have one degree? Would it be beneficial at all?

I didn't need this specific degree to get my current job, but some jobs in this field may lookfavourably on it. Though I plan to stay in my current job for next 5 years or more so I think this will look more beneficial that a second degree.

I have cheekily asked about whether the part time MA or Mphil in same subject can be part funded for me instead but the answer is no. It costs around £3500, and I know I could secure £500 grant and work would pay £750, but I'd need to find the rest.

So, after all that rambling, does anyone think a free, 2nd degree is worth anything or worthwhile doing?

TIA

x

Oldernotwiser

Why would you not do something that interests you and is free?

flutterbyuk25

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Why would you not do something that interests you and is free?

I don't know! :rotfl:

It's silly isn' t it?! My brain is all confused and people have been telling me a 2nd degree is pointless. But I would like to study the subject so I guess I should go for it.

x

Oldernotwiser

Some people have a very narrow view of education - I'd go for it unless you can find the money to top up for the Masters.

flutterbyuk25

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Some people have a very narrow view of education - I'd go for it unless you can find the money to top up for the Masters.

Sadly I can't find the money for this year, maybe next year but I don't know if the free BA will be offered next year so don't want to miss out.

I'm off work for a week now so I will think it through but I think I will go for it. Even if I only do a year, I will learn something interesting.

x

Lokolo

Don't do it for career prospects, do it because you enjoy the subject.

Savvy_Sue

You'll probably have a tie in to your job for x years after completion, so bear that in mind ... either that or the option of repaying!

flutterbyuk25

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

You'll probably have a tie in to your job for x years after completion, so bear that in mind ... either that or the option of repaying!

Nope I won't actually. Which is another reason to go ahead and do it. We are doing the uni a favour by taking some of their students on placements for the degree over next few years so in return they have offered the BA with no conditions attached.

x

edsks

Seems to me that one consideraton might be the impact that studying for the degree will have on you personally and professionally. If you feel that the course will take your own learning and development forward and you will develop your capability in your work role then you might consider it. Whether you have a degree already IMHO is irrelevant.

Zazen999

How often does a free degree present itself, in something you enjoy doing?

You NEVER know when the training and education that you have had will come in handy in the future.

Savvy_Sue

Zazen999 wrote: »

How often does a free degree present itself, in something you enjoy doing?

You NEVER know when the training and education that you have had will come in handy in the future.

Absolutely. You may not need this degree right now, but you have only to look at the way social work, nursing and teaching have gone to see the future: they all had 'vocational' rather than degree courses when I left school but now you pretty much have to do a degree, and those without degrees have to top up their learning if they want to progress.

I don't know so much about youth work, but setting up a couple of after school clubs I saw over the course of a few years how much more stress there was on having qualified staff, and there was a degree course available which it was expected senior staff would consider doing.

The only reason NOT to do it would be if it was going to have a seriously damaging effect on your personal life: I know I'd struggle to do anything like this because just holding a job down is so exhausting at times ...