Masters / Career Development Loans

dizzyrascal · 15 April 2012 at 4:17PM

Racheldevon wrote: »

After graduating, I had an offer to do my MSc with the option to live in halls and provide support to undergrads, with a team of people doing this on a rota Iin exchange you got free accomodation, so reducing the cost of overall fees.

This is a good idea from Racheldevon. It is an option, especially for post grads.
The university where I work has now stopped the free accommodation thing as the students tended to work more hours than advertised and it ended up with the "pay" being less than the minimum wage so now I think they get paid and pay less for the accommodation.
You are effectively a residential tutor and are on call to deal with minor issues that affect students in halls. It can be a good way to get some work experience, especially dealing with difficult situations and developing your people/listening skills.
It is a useful option if you're going to a new university for the masters year.

stardance · 18 April 2012 at 10:30AM

If you're going straight into it then a CDL may be the best, and apply for all the scholarships on the off chance - you never know, I didn't get one but a friend of mine did. I took a year out and worked to save the fee money and then started the MSc in this academic year. Working whilst studying is doable, you just need to look ahead and manage your time, especially if they put deadlines on the same days like they've done with us at points. Good luck!

David333 · 18 April 2012 at 11:53AM

I shall be living with my fianc!e so there isn't the option of moving into halls and acting as a tutor. I intend to work as much as I can before September and then do what I can while I'm studying although the priority has to be the Masters (not least because a very good Masters might help with funding for a Phd!). The problem is obviously tuition fees on top of general living costs. Saving enough for the fees can happen; earning enough to live at the same time might not!