Cost of a Master Degree

McGuiver

Social mobility has declined, yet the number of people going to university (from all backgrounds) has increased dramatically. So how will giving financial access to postgraduate education help or change that situation?

Very true. There are many reasons why social mobility has continued to decline, but higher education is a driver for improving social mobility. Google Scholar gives a few pointers here.

No, a degree often isn't enough for a good job now, what is required is experience. Another year at university doing a very academic qualification isn't going to give someone experience. I'd rather have the year's funds for a masters and use it to get the required experience I need for my chosen career.

I agree, you make a very valid point about experience. However, a good proportion of jobs do now ask for a Masters. You also gain a lot of work-related experience from doing one. There's quite a few nice articles on the matter in a lot of the broadsheets.

By producing yet more masters graduates all we would be doing is pushing the system a long a bit. So instead of needing a 2.1, you'd need a masters qualification.

Sadly, I think we're already there with this.



Very true. And I disagree with the way research funding is going to be given in future with the need to 'policy relevant' and have a clear 'impact'. However, are there enough jobs to absorb more doctorates? Academia is already struggling.

From my own perspective, I don't think that academia will be able to accommodate more doctorates - just wait until the higher education bubble burst in the coming years. However, industry is increasingly recognising the value of doctorates. Also, there's plenty of opportunities overseas.


There is loads of money for those wants to continue in the sciences, in some cases they struggle to give it away! We have seen the decline of science departments around the country, with a lot closing due to lack of interest. The government has tried to persuade students into taking science courses through financial incentives and it hasn't really worked.

Not any more there isn't: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14309883 A lot of departments have closed due to lack of funding as well. Not exactly a science, though the foundation of all sciences, Keele has lost its philosophy department. The University of Leeds had had major cuts in four of its departments, including the biological sciences.

The_One_Who

McGuiver wrote: »

Very true. There are many reasons why social mobility has continued to decline, but higher education is a driver for improving social mobility. Google Scholar gives a few pointers here.

Has it actually improved anything? With more and more graduates coming out of university unable to get anything resembling a 'graduate level' job (or even any job...) and having to move back home to the environments they wanted to move out of, is this helping?

I'm not saying it hasn't helped anyone, but to promote higher education and postgraduate education to everyone, I seriously doubt that will help.

I agree, you make a very valid point about experience. However, a good proportion of jobs do now ask for a Masters. You also gain a lot of work-related experience from doing one. There's quite a few nice articles on the matter in a lot of the broadsheets.

I think that might depend on the individual sector and the individual masters degree. There are different types of masters degree (taught vs research) and they all cover different things. If I had taken up my place on my masters course I wouldn't have gained much in the way of work-related experience, unless it was in the rather niche research market.

I also haven't seen any job that asks for a masters, but direct experience is essential.

From my own perspective, I don't think that academia will be able to accommodate more doctorates - just wait until the higher education bubble burst in the coming years. However, industry is increasingly recognising the value of doctorates. Also, there's plenty of opportunities overseas.

Again, I think this depends on the subject. Industry can absorb a chemist much easier than an art historian, for example.

Not any more there isn't: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14309883 A lot of departments have closed due to lack of funding as well. Not exactly a science, though the foundation of all sciences, Keele has lost its philosophy department. The University of Leeds had had major cuts in four of its departments, including the biological sciences.

Relatively, there is still more in the sciences. However, yes, there have been cuts across the board. Some university science departments can fund a doctoral student through part of their research grant money because they tend to be more group-based, so that is another option. That option is really available (unless the department has spare money lying around) for those in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Philosophy departments are being hit hard (along with most other arts and humanities) because it can be very difficult for their research to show relevance and impact and all the other nonsense that is asked for.

BEEJJ_2

The_One_Who wrote: »

They don't always. There are rules about the 'false start' (need to leave before November, I think it is) and for personal circumstances you need to provide proof.

I am not talking about false starts. I have a friend whose son failed year 1 and redid it- did the same in year 2 and then dropped out. He then went to a different Uni and started a new 3 year course with full loans for all (5) years. There were no real extenuating circumstances. he was just not up to the first course academically. he had also actually failed his first year of A levels and redid that year as well.


I know it's undergradtuate study I UNDERSTAND that that is how it works but I am just pointing out it is daft. And it is not FUNDING. We are just talking about loans.

The_One_Who

BEEJJ wrote: »

I am not talking about false starts. I have a friend whose son failed year 1 and redid it- did the same in year 2 and then dropped out. He then went to a different Uni and started a new 3 year course with full loans for all (5) years. There were no real extenuating circumstances. he was just not up to the first course academically. he had also actually failed his first year of A levels and redid that year as well.


I know it's undergradtuate study I UNDERSTAND that that is how it works but I am just pointing out it is daft. And it is not FUNDING. We are just talking about loans.

Did he get full funding for those years? Tuition fee loans as well as maintenance? If so, that sounds like a failure in the system processes.

Loans are funding. The money is coming from somewhere! And the £3000ish of tuition fees doesn't come anywhere close to covering the true costs of a year's education. That money is coming from somewhere (the government) as well.

Oldernotwiser

BEEJJ wrote: »

The_One_Who wrote: »

They don't always. There are rules about the 'false start' (need to leave before November, I think it is) and for personal circumstances you need to provide proof.

I am not talking about false starts. I have a friend whose son failed year 1 and redid it- did the same in year 2 and then dropped out. He then went to a different Uni and started a new 3 year course with full loans for all (5) years. There were no real extenuating circumstances. he was just not up to the first course academically. he had also actually failed his first year of A levels and redid that year as well.


I know it's undergradtuate study I UNDERSTAND that that is how it works but I am just pointing out it is daft. And it is not FUNDING. We are just talking about loans.

You may not know the full story of your friend's son; without extenuating circumstances, he wouldn't be eligible for full funding.

Loans are funding; many of them are never paid back.

Christa1

My son is due to start a masters in Business at Newcastle Business School this month, the course is 20 months( including work placement) the cost is in excess of £10K, he applied for a Career Develoment Loan with the Cooperative Bank and this has been approved. If the total is paid off within two months of course completion you only pay back what you borrow. He has been working since he graduated in 2007, so has invested his savings in ISAs, yes it's a pity his savings have to be used to pay back the loan, but for him this is the only way. Will this make a differecne to his career prospects? Who knows but sometimes you just have to take a chance!