Postgraduate MSc

jay-chill

Hey guys,

Not sure if I've posted this in the right place - but could do with your expert advice.

Last year I graduated with a 2:1 in Marketing Management. Struggled to find a job, became disheartened and felt confused about what I wanted to do. Was eventually offered a job that I turned down, because it was in an industry I knew I didn't want to work in.

Then I decided that my real passion is for fashion and I my dream job is to be a Buyer within that industry. So I've applied for a postgraduate course in International Fashion Marketing at Heriot Watt - and I'm overjoyed that I got in, the course starts in October.

However I'm nervous about course fees. They're about £5,100 approx and I'm not sure on funding opportunities. I'm already in a bit of a mess financially:

£2,000 graduate over draft with Royal Bank Scotland
£2,000 student over draft with Bank of Scotland
£900 on credit card
£142 a month car finance
£102 a month for loan

One thing for sure is that I really want to do this MSc. The other concern I have other than funding is an internship. I currently work every weekend and get approx £1,200 a month in wages. Should I try and find something during the week or should I concentrate on getting an internship to strengthen my possibilities of getting a job after I get my MSc.

Sorry to ramble on guys. Hope you're all well all your help is greatly appreciated!

DrFluffy

Can you get a professional study loan, or a graduate loan? Have you asked your prospective university if they have information regarding avenues you can investigate for funding (charities, bursaries, etc).

I would have thought that in an area as cut throat as fashion buying, experience is everything.

melancholly

I only know 2 people in buying - one for a large highstreet fashion retailer and one for a big department store. Neither of them did masters! Their work experience got them the jobs in the first place. I would really try to get an interpship if you can. If you're earning that much part time, you should be able to pay off a huge chunk of your debt each month - perhaps you could try looking at the Debt Free Wanabee board where you can post all your incomings and outgoings and they will help you push as much money towards paying off what you owe. If you can contine with your job while you do the MSc, that should help a lot.

Also, when you start, you should get your graduate account changed back to a student accout and it will give you more time with an interest free overdraft.

Ianna

Have you checked the other forums for help re: your credit cards and other debts?

anewman

What about a career development loan? You can get up to £8k and if there's money in that amount you don't need you could use it to pay off some of your debts.

Voyager2002

Most business-related MSc courses are of most value to people who have been working in a relevant industry for perhaps five years. I fear that all you will gain from doing the course now is a lot more debt: you will complete it a year older, still without experience, and "different" from the other people applying for entry-level positions.