Masters Funding Help?

System

@Kittycatface
Aww thank you so much for that (and the nice words!). Will check that out immediately.

poet123

Cullers wrote: »

Hi guys
Sorry about the delay in responding. Was expecting to get notifications but obviously didn't tick the box.

The degree is an LLM. I've got 15 years experience working in tribunals for a variety of different companies representing them as well as representing a few individuals privately. I currently hold a postgraduate qualification in HR.

I was talking to the University yesterday and they confirmed that they will support me in working alongside in an 'assistant' role during the course.

Probably my fault for not describing it clearly (not a good start lol).

I've spent the last couple of weeks chasing up every grant available only to find most are for small sums maximising at £1000.

The university suggested trying for a career development loan but I'm worried about my previous credit rating. They've even offered to spread the fee over two years. but time is really running out now.

Thanks for all your help

That would still not fulfill the requirements for a training contract, and you will still need an LPC to practice law. It is the legally required registration element and the course costs around £10,000 but can be done full time or part time.

My point is that even after you have a Masters you will not be qualified. Imo far better to do the LPC than a Masters at this stage, and during the course try to obtain a training contract, or get a foot in the door of a law firm by working as a Paralegal/Claims Handler etc. Law firms often recruit from within for training contracts.

The problem with training contracts is that a) they are rarely easy to obtain b) predominantly in major cities c)they recruit at a specified time for a period two years in advance, so currently they will be recruiting for 2013.

Imo and taking accout of your financial situation it would be counter productive to do a Masters at this stage.

System

@poet123
Looking back, the comment in my second post on this thread (post #3) I was guilty of using the term 'solicitor', in reality, my interest is in working as an Employment Law specialist therefore the highest legal forum I'd be working in would be Tribunal or EAT. As mentioned, I've worked in this field for nearly 20 years already so (currently) don't really see a point in pursuing an LPC. Hope that clarifies my situation more clearly?

poet123

Cullers wrote: »

@poet123
Looking back, the comment in my second post on this thread (post #3) I was guilty of using the term 'solicitor', in reality, my interest is in working as an Employment Law specialist therefore the highest legal forum I'd be working in would be Tribunal or EAT. As mentioned, I've worked in this field for nearly 20 years already so (currently) don't really see a point in pursuing an LPC. Hope that clarifies my situation more clearly?

I see. I still struggle to understand what benefits a largely academic qualification would bring to your chances of employment in the field. What is it this qual will add to your currents quals that recent on the job experience won't?

With respect, I have to say that it seems to an outside observer that you see this degree as a panacea to cure the ills of your other problems. Personally, I don't see it, I think that you will end up in debt, but otherwise in the same situation health-wise and job wise at the end of this course.

The Uni will sell the advantages, but a little digging and consultation with employers in the field will be a more realistic assessment of whether this qualification will actually bring with it the benefits you hope.

To me, the best course of action would be to get your foot back in the door of the areas you previously worked in, perhaps part time under the permitted work rules, and then twelve months down the line re consider the benefits of this qual. You may find that by then you really don't need it to realise your ambitions.

System

@poet123
Without going into the ins-and-outs of it all, my previous four years work as a consultant (doing TUPE, Due Diligence, Tribunal Prep and Case Management) were for my ex-wifes company where she was an Area Director. Now due to an acrimonious divorce, I can't rely on her for a reference of any type - talk about eggs in one basket!

The Masters will serve a variety of purposes including allowing my to update my Prof Development (to allow Chartered status in CIPD) as well as being a foot in the door with various agencies as a specialist.

Basically though, I have just turned 51 and have had a decent career until we moved to the South when I gave up my own business so my ex could further her career. Now, four years later, I have applied for over 150 jobs and got nowhere due to either being over qualified/experienced (when applying for lower posts or temp ones) or lack of 'recent' evidenced experience/references.

I would happily work for a charity as a HR specialist for expenses to sort it but even that isn't available! lol. Need something to add some colour to whats fast becoming an imposed early retirement without the pension and without the dignity.

poet123

I wish you well, but ime the Masters qual is useful only as an adjunct to current experience in the field, it rarely opens any doors which were shut prior to gaining the qual (except in exceptional circs for young candidates to lift them above the rest of the field)

I wouldn't rely on the Uni's assessment of the worth to you of the qual, their primary aim is bums on seats and money in the bank for fees.

Think long and hard about alternative options before you embark on this costly course of action. Have you tried CAB? In the current climate your experience could be invaluable to them and a useful reference for you.

Good luck.