how to afford a masters degree?????

stuckinmyflat

so a student who doesnt have a first should have to wait around and see if all these other "brilliant" students want a place and funding ? then rest of us should fight for the scraps ?

Rosie75

Oh, come on. You're not seriously suggesting that a system which works on a first-come-first-served basis is fairer to students and taxpayers than one which prioritises students on the basis of academic merit?

The_One_Who

No funding system is perfect, and I only used my department's as an example. I don't think one which favours current students is particularly fair either. Research council funding is much more based on things like proposals, grades, references, academic experience at conferences, etc.

Having a first is no guarantee of getting funding either. Yes, it helps. There are a lot of students currently on fully-funded PhD courses with 2.1s over those with firsts because a lot of factors come into play.

For all I know the department do take grades into consideration, but after lengthy talks with my supervisor he said it's mainly first-come. It's the same with with actually getting a place. If a student with a first leaves it until the last minute they run the risk of missing out.

stuckinmyflat

I think its a disgrace that students are made to feel worthless for having anything less than a first. I know that if given the chance within a working environment i could most likely perform better than some students on my course who got a first (not all but some). E.g a student on my course who is academically amazing but put her in a situation where she has to do a presentation and interact in a group she melts down

However i am not going to debate the merits of the procedures currently in place. I asked a simple question regarding funding options for a masters.

Rosie75

stuckinmyflat wrote: »

I think its a disgrace that students are made to feel worthless for having anything less than a first. I know that if given the chance within a working environment i could most likely perform better than some students on my course who got a first (not all but some). E.g a student on my course who is academically amazing but put her in a situation where she has to do a presentation and interact in a group she melts down

No one's saying that anything less than a first is worthless - and I agree that someone with a 2:2 might even perform better in the workplace than someone who's very academic. But the funding is for academic study - so it seems logical that it should be directed at someone who has an outstanding record of academic achievement. In the English system, funding for MAs (which exists only very rarely) is usually allocated as a precursor to PhD study.

stuckinmyflat

funding for academic study, that supports a student to move on to a well paid career, which goes hand with paying more back in government taxes and the economy. A masters is not only reserved for those looking to spend their whole life in academia.

The_One_Who

Unless a masters degree is a requirement of the job or a requirement for professional accreditation the degree will not really support you find or get a well paid job.

By and large, postgraduate funding is reserved for those doing PhDs. Whether or not they spend their life in academia is up to them, but most funding is channeled towards that.

Oldernotwiser

stuckinmyflat wrote: »

funding for academic study, that supports a student to move on to a well paid career, which goes hand with paying more back in government taxes and the economy. A masters is not only reserved for those looking to spend their whole life in academia.

That isn't the main purpose for undergraduate study - much less postgraduate!

WhiteHorse

stuckinmyflat wrote:

... combined with a rubbish degree ...

In which case, are many establishments not justified in turning you down for a Masters?

Perhaps going into the workplace, or doing something more immediately practical would be more appropriate. Maybe consider the OU or going part time.

stuckinmyflat

whitehorse i suggest you read the post before adding in, i have not been turned down for a masters course. Im looking into additional funding, as have got a place on a masters course, two offers in fact. along with the fee's being paid.

i also find it laughable that some ppl are posting stating further education will not help in securing a better career, i assume alot of you have been out of the loop for awhile, as certainly the jobs ive been looking a Msc would go along way to securing a furture career. further to this most graduate programmes require employees to take on a masters course during the 18-24 mths programme