If it takes SEVEN YEARS to get a masters, is it even worth putting on the ***** cv?!!

Savvy_Sue

I think that I would ask the graduate office to arrange an appointment with you, one of them, and your supervisor, to discuss this unacceptable delay.

misskool

Xenomorhic wrote:

Hi Miss Kool

Subjects- I lost access to a block of participants for reasons I can't go into- not my fault, there was a rift between my supervisor and a lady we were supposed to be working with.

I've had the same supervisor throughout.
Since I submitted the draft I emailed each month and phoned every 2 months to try and get it back, marked. My supervisor has claimed to have posted it on no less than 3 occasions and I have given my correct address FOUR TIMES! And it's still not arrived. I have considered travelling in but it's a bit of a trek from where I am and she's so often not there it's not worth it. I've been to the uni to talk to the graduate office. I might ring them if I've not had an email by tomorrow.

Thanks for the soothing responses everyone. It's no lie to say I'd been feeling like I wasted several years of my life doing this. At least it worked out as a part time course rather than full, I've always been in work except for the period of illness.

It seems like you're being fobbed off by your supervisor. I would recommened going one step up to a director of studies or something of equally vague description. Won't make you any friends but I get the idea you're not staying in the same field?

Hope you managed to speak to the graduate studies office people as well.

If you don't mind saying which uni you're at maybe one of the mse's reading this could help you chase it up? I would if you're at oxford/oxford area.

Voyager2002

For a start, an MPhil is completely different from an ordinary (taught) MA, since it is a research degree. And it is, or will be, a real achievement. What is more likely to impress any future employers is the struggle you have had, the difficulties that you have had to overcome in order to get it, particularly since you were studying part-time and holding down a job as well. And they will only know about this story if you include the MPhil on your CV. Anyway, that is in the future.

Your immediate situation: it is totally unacceptable that you have been kept waiting for such a long time. I can think of two possible explanations: (i) reading an entire thesis, and forming an opinion about the thesis as a whole, requires concentrated attention over a number of days. It could well be that your supervisor has just not managed to get a block of time in order to do this. There may be good reasons, but they are to do with someone else's life and work so not things you would expect to know about. Anyway, I think a frank and honest discussion is required: you need to speak with your supervisor; acknowledge that s/he is under a range of pressures; but stress that you have been waiting for far too long. At least you should get a realistic time-frame for a response, or perhaps the suggestion of another critical reader. Alternatives (ii) it is possible that s/he has read your thesis but does not think it is going to reach the standard required for an MPhil, and does not have the guts to tell you. Was your supervisor responsible for some of the disasters that have stopped you getting a PhD? In which case this could be a person not being willing to admit that they have caused big problems for you.

bobsa1

I'd echo other posters, well done for doing your research, put in a formal complaint and just put the date of receiving your qualifaction.It's nobody's business how long you've taken to get it.

cupid_s

It's taken you 7 years but at least you'll have a degree at the end of it. And a MPhil is not 'just a masters' I did an MSc taught and am now donig a PhD and there is no comparison between the MSc and doing independent research. Don't sell yourself short.

When is the final submission date for your MPhil. I know if I don't submit my thesis by the last day of september 2008 I automatically fail. So check you're not nearing the date for completion. And just keep on at your supervisor

There are supervisors I know of who seem so unhelpful when you're trying to submit work. Did you have a second supervisor or advisor who is maybe more helpful and approachable?

Voyager2002

bobsa1 wrote:

I'd echo other posters, well done for doing your research, put in a formal complaint and just put the date of receiving your qualifaction.It's nobody's business how long you've taken to get it.

I do agree with this comment and applaud your persistence. And I think this is something about you that any sensible employer will value highly.

Don't rush to put in a formal complaint: you don't know the reason for your supervisor's appalling behaviour. And in the run-up to your viva and getting your degree awarded, a vengeful ex-supervisor could cause very serious problems for you.

A good tactic at this stage: pretend that you believe that your supervisor has been doing her/his best for you but has been over-loaded by other work commitments, problems in personal life, or whatever. Therefore, you ask the university organisation to find a way to reduce her/his work-load to make it possible to read your thesis, or else to acknowledge that her/his current work is of vital importance and so find someone else to supervise you now.

Justie

oh I sympathise - make an appointment to see your supervisor, it seems the only way you'll get your thesis back. There should also be a time frame for submitting and having it assessed etc. If your supervisor's not very good at the admin side then try to find out who the postgrad secretary is in the school/dept as they will often be able to tell you who can sort things out. DO you have a second supervisor too? Or there must be someone in the dept who is responsible for postgrads. Academics are busy people but it's in their interests to get your degree finalised so hang in there but try and talk to as many people as possible to sort it out.

and thanks you've made me feel better at approaching year 5 of my PhD :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

Justie wrote:

Academics are busy people but it's in their interests to get your degree finalised

not least since completion rates began to be scrutinised rather more carefully! Even if your supervisor isn't that fussed whether you finish or not, I bet the HoD is!

Justie

Savvy_Sue wrote:

not least since completion rates began to be scrutinised rather more carefully! Even if your supervisor isn't that fussed whether you finish or not, I bet the HoD is!

exactly it's in their interests to get this sorted out.