Masters Degree while working

kittykarate

BCS - recognition is high, perceived value is low.

You get some free letters after your name for joining (MBCS I think) , and if you're near a major city you'll be able to go to their special interest group presentations.

I joined for a while and didn't get much value from it, it can help lead you towards chartered engineer status, but I wouldn't hold your breath on that.

melancholly

i don't know anything about BCS but i did manage to find their website and view the qualifications, training and careers pages and see that they don't offer anything at masters level (the best seems to be a diploma that is a suitable entry for various MSc's).

i realise you are also looking for feedback on them, but seriously, have a look around their website and see what the qualifications are - i imagine showing some initiative will be just as important for promotion as a piece of paper...... there are also a lot of opinions out there if you google 'BCS worth joining'.

if your employer is insisting you join, then have a look at the benefits it may provide as it sounds like you should make the most of it as not joining isn't an option.

hopeneeded

Hi

I have a BA with the Open University and its worth the same as a brick Uni. I am about to start a MA at Manchester Uni and because I had previously studied with the OU they said it counts in my favour that I earned it while working full time.

MBA there are grants for but it depends on your industry. Otherwise you will find the few public grants very difficult to find. Most Universtities have bursaries to new students and ex BA students of theirs but they are extremely competative (applications need to be submitted Feb/March for the following septembers intake).

All MA's have dissertations that directly link to the skills taught in the course, hence its a TAUGHT masters so unless you have those skills or very intelligent (if you are then you deserve a pass anyway) then you will struggle. These are different skills sets than taught to undergraduates and intensive. Of course you will need usually a First or 2.1 in a related field BA to be accepted. If you have a 2.2 then you may need to take another undergraduate course with them before the let you onto a MA program.

My MA at Manchester costs 3.6k, with the OU it costs 4.5k so Open University may not necessarily the cheaper option now. You will not be entitled to any government assistance though you can get a CDL!

The CDL is a loan from Barclays or Co-op bank (in partnership with the government) that pays 80% of your fees. You repay after your qualification with no interest accrued for the time studying.

I got a First at bachelors degree recently but found the preparation reading and work before my MA extremely challenging. An MA is often considered a stepping stone to a Phd and emphasis moves from teacher led learning to student self learning. The tutors dont spell it out so you have to do the work to earn the award. To study a MA part-time requires 16-20 hours studying per week. Of that 2-3 hours will be at lectures, the rest of the time in student groups or self study. Plus you did not say but a lengthy time out of studying and dropping straight into MA level would be a challenge for anybody. Plus there is pass, merit and distinction system too and employers do understand what each level is worth. I work for a very large supermarket chain where a colleague got a MA pass and was basically told by HR that it showed she made a strong effort but maybe not academically suitable for the role she applied for!

Final point, you can fail a Masters with their very strict re-sit policy. You can also be removed from the course. Be careful about starting if you cannot manage a) the workload and b) the academic challenge as if you quit then you still got to pay!

Wow my message sounded scary but I just wanted to paint the picture properly. Wherever you think of applying to, email the postgraduate officer for that course and ask to meet him/her. Get the answers before commiting.

P.

invader

I'm starting an MBA at Aberdeen University on Monday... sat at home right now with a glass of Jack after packing my bags (I live in Hampshire).
Two words:
Bricking it.
But I'm excited too. :rotfl:

Robert928

Masters, kids AND a job? I take my hat off to you for even thinking about it.

Oldernotwiser

hopeneeded wrote: »

Hi

An MA is often considered a stepping stone to a Phd and emphasis moves from teacher led learning to student self learning. The tutors dont spell it out so you have to do the work to earn the award..

I'm sure that you're right but what a chilling indictment of current undergraduate education that this should be the case!

Christa1

My son is paying £7.5K for his MA at Newcastle Business School, why so much variation?

nrsql

BCS used to be well regarded but not so much now. Last time I got involved with the organisation it was taking on the hallmarks of a money making scam.

The OU computing masters is pretty expensive and a lot of work - £8k for the diploma then another year for the dissertation. Some of the courses are good some not so good. Birbeck is a lot cheaper and faster.

andymg

Sarah, I did my Msc on Part time basis and it took me 1.5 years to complete it. Mine was Intensive 5 days per module course, that meant I could easily fit it with work as I just took days off from my work and attended the course.

Personally I felt it was better to do Masters from a Bricks and mortar University, as I liked the interaction with Lecturers and fellow students. It also help me keep focus on completing the course.

From what I know there is no funding for Part-time Masters, if you plan to do Masters on full time basis then you can apply for Scholarship etc. Also you could ask your employer if they can fund you for the course? Even part funding will help.

As a first step find the area where you want to do your Masters in and then find a good university to do the course. If its local to where you live thats even better as your costs will be low!

If you do a appropriate course from a good university than it will definitly help in your career.

PS: I work in IT as well.

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