how to afford a masters degree?????

lynzpower

I dont think anyone should pass judgement on a 2:2 , you never know the extenuating circumstances one might have had. I was lucky to have completed my course at all having had a very traumatic experience during my 2nd year exams. However, I was only 1% off a 2:1 as well, but the fact is, I got a 2:2 and although in retrospect I should have asked for a regrade for a couple of the modules, I didnt, I accepted it and to my mind it is an achievement. It might not be the best achievement in the world, and it is certainly not what I am capable of.

Thats why Im aiming for a distinction in my masters and I will be disappointed if i don't get it. Not because its important for the career ( it isnt at all, unlike law for example) but because its important to me Now im older, my priorities are different, the most important thing is doing the very best I can do academically, especially if Im paying for it

stuckinmyflat

im not gonna say much more on this thread, as i feel some of what has been said has been unhelpful (although some good points have been made). Despite what has been said im very grateful for getting funding, and for the help that is provided for me to continue my studies.

good luck to you all.

Oldernotwiser

lynzpower wrote: »

I dont think anyone should pass judgement on a 2:2 , you never know the extenuating circumstances one might have had. I was lucky to have completed my course at all having had a very traumatic experience during my 2nd year exams. However, I was only 1% off a 2:1 as well, but the fact is, I got a 2:2 and although in retrospect I should have asked for a regrade for a couple of the modules, I didnt, I accepted it and to my mind it is an achievement. It might not be the best achievement in the world, and it is certainly not what I am capable of.

I'm not sure when you took your degree but a 2:2 used to be a respectable, if unexciting result. However, since grade inflation a 2:2 is really not a good result.

stuckinmyflat

older you say this as if every degree result is inflated, as i previously mentioned my university does not do this, hence being 1% away from a 2:1 my result stayed as a 2:2

People are always comparing degrees from years ago, i had a lecturer who outright stated that years ago a students life was generally easier. students tended to live at home, whilst being supported financially by their parents. Nowadays this just isn't the norm, and in many cases isn't even an option. Most students "back in the day" also generally only worked in summer months, where as these days students often have to work all year round.

Dont you think that if you compared the lives of students from back then to those of a modern day student there are vast differences which directly impact a students focus on academic study ?

The_One_Who

Yes, but in those days 50% of school-leavers weren't going to university. It was still quite low, just above 10% if I remember correctly.

Gleeful

stuckinmyflat wrote: »

People are always comparing degrees from years ago, i had a lecturer who outright stated that years ago a students life was generally easier. students tended to live at home, whilst being supported financially by their parents. Nowadays this just isn't the norm, and in many cases isn't even an option.

Dont you think that if you compared the lives of students from back then to those of a modern day student there are vast differences which directly impact a students focus on academic study ?

You're really wrong! In both of those paragraphs.

lynzpower

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm not sure when you took your degree but a 2:2 used to be a respectable, if unexciting result. However, since grade inflation a 2:2 is really not a good result.

Graduated in 99 not that long ago!

stuckinmyflat

glee: how so ?

melancholly

well i guess the further back you go, the more likely it is that A levels prepared people better for uni....

Oldernotwiser

stuckinmyflat wrote: »

older you say this as if every degree result is inflated, as i previously mentioned my university does not do this, hence being 1% away from a 2:1 my result stayed as a 2:2

People are always comparing degrees from years ago, i had a lecturer who outright stated that years ago a students life was generally easier. students tended to live at home, whilst being supported financially by their parents. Nowadays this just isn't the norm, and in many cases isn't even an option. Most students "back in the day" also generally only worked in summer months, where as these days students often have to work all year round.

Dont you think that if you compared the lives of students from back then to those of a modern day student there are vast differences which directly impact a students focus on academic study ?

Grade inflation refers to the general move to lower standards in education, not some particular practice by individual universities.

Your lecturer, by the way, is talking rubbish! Far fewer people used to live at home compared to today (except in Scotland where it's always been the tradition). Yes, fewer people worked in term time but then fewer people ran cars or expected to have much in the way of expensive consumer goods.

Only 10% of the population went to university then so standards hadn't been lowered so that basically non academic students could do degree level study. I was an undergraduate in both the mid 70s and late 90s and the difference in standards and attitudes was pronounced and it certainly hadn't improved!