Postgraduate Funding

sugarplumfairy83

Hi everyone,

Any advice would be most gratefully received although I am aware there have been a number of similar threads.

I am registered disabled and have been unable to work since graduating in 2006. I have undertaken regular stints of volunteer work when able, and am currently doing so, and until recently was actively seeking part-time paid employment, which I have had to cease once again for reasons relating to my disability.

To save my sanity and help further the new career direction I wish to go in I have applied to and been offered a place on a Museums and Art Galleries Studies MA, starting in September. I immediately applied for a University bursary and AHRC PPM (Professional Preparation Masters) funding but was unfortunately unsuccessful with both, although I made it to the final shortlisting stage.

Being unable to work and having problems with a previous DLA renewal has meant I have racked up some debts and am unable to fund this course myself. I'm looking into a PCDL but am concerned about my credit rating (having checked it on the 30 day free trial with Experian, I'm falling bang into the middle of the 'Fair' rating) and unsure about whether to stick with my current bank or open another? Most Graduate accounts seem to only cater for those who have recently (i.e. not 4 years ago!) graduated. Also, with my disability, whilst I hope and pray I'll be returning to work soon, it just isn't a guaranteed thing and I worry I wouldn't be able to start making the PCDL payments immediately.

Without doing this MA I feel that I'm stuck in a rut - most of the jobs I'm looking at being able to apply for do require a postgrad degree and without one I won't make much headway. To self-fund I'd need to get an amazingly well paid part time job now, which isn't physically possible and most of them don't pay well enough for me to carry on living independently (or would I still be entitled to my Housing & Council Tax Benefit?) I currently receive Income Support (not entitled to Incapacity) and understand this too could be affected ...

My head is doing this ... ! :wall:

Oldernotwiser

I would be very wary about taking out a PCDL in your situation; they are so very different from Student Loansdand you could be heading for a lot of stress and worry, even if you were able to get one.

sugarplumfairy83

Oldernotwiser: Any particular reasons for being wary of taking out the PCDL? I'm assuming you're basing this on my own worries of not finding work after finishing the MA.

Any other advice anyone???

The_One_Who

A CDL isn't a good idea (in my opinion) unless you know you can pay it back. Unlike a normal student loan, a CDL is a bank loan and as such they want their money back. It is real debt, which most people don't really want to get in to.

Oldernotwiser

What she said!^^^^^

Rosie75

I have some knowledge of the field you're hoping to work in, and have to agree that a PCDL is probably not a good idea. A lot of people who work in the museums and gallery field have had to volunteer for two years, sometimes more - and that's after an MA. So I'd be very wary about signing up to something that requires immediate repayment.

sugarplumfairy83

I do appreciate the responses here but I am fully aware that a PCDL is a commercial loan and what the requirements are for repayments. I suppose I was hoping for suggestions on what other options there may be which have so far eluded me.

Rosie75: regarding volunteer placements. I have had specialist museum training as part of a volunteer programme where I live and volunteer as much as I am able to. I am also in talks with a variety of other sites and galleries to set up placements before study commences in September and as part of the MA I'm required to undertake placement for a minimum of 1 month. May I ask how you are involved in/have knowledge of the sector?

Oldernotwiser

Is your course available by part time or distance learning, which would allow you to work alongside it?

sugarplumfairy83

Even doing the course part time (which is an option) wouldn't improve my ability to work any more than part-time, which is already proving elusive. I seriously considered part or full time as options and upon working things out figured full time would not only be cheaper but also suit my needs better in terms of mental health problems I have in addition to my physical disability. Distance learning does NOT suit me - I did a short OU course in 2008 to save my sanity but I work much better in a structured learning environment with the support of people around me.

Guess I'll just have to reconsider the whole thing based on the recommendations here.

Pigget

Hi sugarplumfairy83,

I'm starting an MA in a similar field to you in September and I'll be doing it full time.

I was also unsuccessful for AHRC funding so my only option is to self fund.

There is one more grant that I am eligible for, but they don't announce the recipients until September and compared to the AHRC award it's relatively small.

I wish I could have been able to offer some better advice.