Financial help for Masters

brittd

I have decided to return to university to get a masters in a specific area of my degree, as it would set me up for a real career path with wonderful opportunities, not to mention that I find it incredibly interesting.
I plan on doing a part time degree for two years and working alongside it, however the fee's are approx. 4000 per year and I haven't got the money in pocket at the moment.
Am I simply forced to suffer working full time on minimum wage and eating pot noodles for a few years to pay it off myself or is there a way I can find a loan or bursary or grant from anywhere that could help me along. My masters will be in occupational psychology, and I got a 2:1 BSc in honours psychology at uni the first time around. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

jonesMUFCforever

Not wanting to sound cruel but if your original degree did not lead to a job you enjoy what makes you think the Masters will do for you?
I can only see debt.

FattyBettyBoo

When I did a masters a few years back a lot of banks (mine was HSBC) did something called a Career Development Loan, which had really good rates. There is some more info here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237

I did psychology too and found it hard to get a job as so many people graduated with the same degree at the same time. The MSc set me apart from the others and I landed a great job after thanks to doing (and paid off the loan really quickly).

Having said you have already decided to do a masters I hope this reply is more useful!!

DCFC79

Are you certain you would be able to get a job once the masters is completed ?

Yes eating pot noodles for a few years to pay for it might be a way to go, depends how comitted you are.

rdwarr

djhives wrote: »

what is this delusion that makes people think they DESERVE a high quality life?

It's similar to the delusion that a "high quality life" is one graced by lots of money.

bigadaj

Make sure you research this thoroughly from as many independent sources as you can as even the best qualifications are no guarantee. The university is effectively selling their course, and with the proliferation of degrees there now seems to be a case for mis-selling of them, not just endowment, ppi etc! Check out the job Market, speak to people who have completed the course, as when you finish and come out into what probably won't be a great economy the job situation may be no better than it is now. After doing an msc myself many years ago the main advantage seems to be possibly getting through the first filter of the job process.

Blackpool_Saver

Good luck

agrinnall

OP, ignore djhives, who seems to have not just a chip but a whole sack of potatoes on his shoulder!

If you have looked into the job market and feel that the Masters will greatly increase your opportunities then I would say go for it. However, I do wonder about the course fees. £8000 seems an awful lot, I did a full time MSc last year that cost £3400 and it's similar this year, have you looked at other institutions to see if it's possible to get a similar course for less money? I think you will be lucky to get any help with fees so the less you have to pay out the more likely it is that you'll be able to complete it without working all hours and running up even more debt.

Simon11

There are plenty of good jobs out there without the need for a Masters. I don't really see the point of doing a masters, unless a business is willing to pay for you to do it.

I finished my degree last year and now moving into my second well paid job since finishing university.