Part Time Masters Degree

SiHH · 17 May 2010 at 18:29

So im considering an undergraduate degree in one of the Sciences with the Open Uni.

Looking long term it is possible i'd like to further that by doing a Masters degree but obviously that's a long way off.

I am interested to know how a part time Masters would work with regard to attendance of lecture/seminars etc.

I know each one is different but can anyone give me a rough idea, are we talking once a week, once a day or ?

Aero · 17 May 2010 at 18:31

I've done mine in week release blocks once every 5 weeks. See how you feel after you've finished your degree is my honest advice.

SiHH · 17 May 2010 at 18:35

Aero said:
I've done mine in week release blocks once every 5 weeks. See how you feel after you've finished your degree is my honest advice.

Thats quite a good structure, do you work full time too ?

meghatronic · 17 May 2010 at 18:36

OU is great, some undergraduate courses have summer schools and what not. Most have tutorials too (online or in person). Masters, afaik, also have day schools and poster sessions etc.

But, lectures are overrated.

SiHH · 17 May 2010 at 18:39

meghatronic said:
OU is great, some undergraduate courses have summer schools and what not. Most have tutorials too (online or in person). Masters, afaik, also have day schools and poster sessions etc.

But, lectures are overrated.

I should probably clarify that the Masters would be unlikely to be done with the Open Uni as they don't do what I am interested in which is something along the Marine Sciences area..

Aero · 17 May 2010 at 18:39

SiHH said:
Thats quite a good structure, do you work full time too ?

Yer I've fallen on it quite nicely as my company pay my fees and give me the time off work. However coming back home after a day of work when all you want to do is relax, then you have to study sucks.

Luckily I'm near the end of mine now as I'm not sure I could keep it up for too long.

HangTime · 17 May 2010 at 19:23

Seems to vary depending on the faculty/subject.

I'm doing a Masters course with the OU and my first 4 units didn't have a single tutorial (although you could pay to attend weekend revision schools).
By contrast my current unit (different faculty) has 5 tutorials at LSE, plus some online ones.

So as a 'rough idea' I would say somewhere between never and once a month actual face-to-face contact, based on my experience.