Funding for Masters degrees

greenellie

I'm going back to uni in September to do an MA. I've got four student loans from my first degree, all deferred (and have been for, like, a million years). I've been looking around for bursaries and funding but there doesn't seem to be any help for this level. Any insider knowledge/advice much appreciated!

The_One_Who

Depends entirely on the course, but general rule of thumb is that there is no funding for stand-alone taught Masters. If there is funding it would be detailed on the department and/or university websites, but there is little to go around, and may well be reserved for those intending to pursue PhDs. Really, unless you are intending to do a PhD, there is little to no funding.

Some courses (especially health service or teaching) do come with funding in the form of loans. Others (usually vocational) can have some funding attached from employers, accreditation bodies or government departments.

Simon11

What is the reason behind doing the MA?

Where do you hope to get a job? How will you get this job/ where will you apply for this job?

I've chatted with so many people doing MA who are only doing it because they can't get a job. Thats the wrong reason to do the course. You should be doing the course to get your Masters, which will help you get a job but also know how to get these jobs! No point wondering aimlessly into them

greenellie

Thanks theonewho - that's what I thought but good to have it confirmed. I can stop fretting about it now and just get on with saving.

Simon - it's not aimless but very ambitious. I'm doing the course because I've wanted to do it for years, finally got the guts up to apply and against the odds got a place. My husband and I are basically taking a huge risk by paying fees/me not working for a year with maybe a 25% chance at the end of it I could make very comfortable income. But we figured someone has to be in that 25% so why not us!

dmg24

Simon11 wrote: »

What is the reason behind doing the MA?

Where do you hope to get a job? How will you get this job/ where will you apply for this job?

I've chatted with so many people doing MA who are only doing it because they can't get a job. Thats the wrong reason to do the course. You should be doing the course to get your Masters, which will help you get a job but also know how to get these jobs! No point wondering aimlessly into them

Some of us do it purely out of self interest!

The_One_Who

Simon11 wrote: »

What is the reason behind doing the MA?

Where do you hope to get a job? How will you get this job/ where will you apply for this job?

I've chatted with so many people doing MA who are only doing it because they can't get a job. Thats the wrong reason to do the course. You should be doing the course to get your Masters, which will help you get a job but also know how to get these jobs! No point wondering aimlessly into them

It's not all about getting a job. In fact, I don't believe a non-vocational taught masters will really enhance job prospects any more than a good undergraduate degree, although I could be entirely wrong on that. Like dmg said, a lot of people do it for interest and enjoyment.

MrsManda

I think Simon just wanted to make sure that the OP was sure about his reasons rather than critising her for making the decision to do the Masters.
A person I work with did a Masters in Public Health as she believed that it'd help her get a job in Public Health - all the blurb around the degree suggested this so she went ahead. Unfortunately she couldn't get a public health job because though a Masters in the subject is useful to get you a higher paid job eventually it's not enough to get you in to the job in the first place as you need a more practical degree or experience. And this was a few years ago in the 'boom'.
Whereas my OH has been working for public health as an analyst (with a computing/geography degree ) and has now got a Masters in Public Health which allowed him to get a job higher up the pay scale which he wouldn't have been able to get without the Masters.

OP: As long as you are certain about your reasons and are prepared for the costs, go for it You never know where it may take you

PhD.V

You don't say what course you're studying or where but in most cases there will be an opportunity to apply for some funding or a sponsorship. It's worth checking university websites as most have a section outlining what they offer in terms of scholarships, studentships and funding. Check out jobs . ac . uk (wouldn't let me post the link), they have a selection of masters scholarships/studentships accross all areas.

If you're not successful for a full studentship then your university support service may have a 'find a funder' database which allows you to find out other (usually smaller) grants that you may be eligible for. I know from when I did mine that I was eligible for loads including up to £50 for books from a charity in my home town that I had previously never heard of, and something like up to £500 from the Vegetarian Society!!!

Good luck!