Calling all those with a Masters Degree!
- Thread starter Nix
- Start date
Information Security (UCL)
Computer Science (Hull)
Seemed sensible given my interests and career plan
Self funded (lucky)
Definitely, additionally having an extra student year = win and avoiding work for a year in the 09/10 job market was worthwhile.
What are you planning on doing? The cost is the often the primary negative side to these things!
Not quite sure, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to bite the bullet and take out some form of loan in a year's time or so. I just want to make sure I pick something worthwhile though, as I really don't fancy the idea of having more debt and no job again!
Geography.
The natural progression for me would be something along the lines of International Development/Policy/Managment, etc. or Environmental Management, and Modelling, etc.
The former is completely natural for me whereas the latter I can do but would find possibly dull. However, the latter also has more concrete career prospects. Similarly, I may be best off doing some form of business masters, but again I'm not sure I really want to.
I've just been reading up on Information Security and it seems very interesting actually.
Yer it's a risky call
I know several people who have taken out 'career development loans' and they seem fairly fair in terms of interest and repayment, just so long as you manage to get a job at the end of it all. Barclays offer a popular one here: http://www.barclays.co.uk/Loans/Ourloans/ProfessionalandCareerLoan/P1242557963934
Good luck
Soldato
- Joined
- 25 Nov 2007
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- London
Im in the exact same boat as you.
Except i dont have enough money and dont fancy anymore debt, so will wait until then to go for it
That would the ideal P87. However, I've decided that one way or the other I need to get back to do a masters sooner rather than later. I've got other things planned for 2011, which may hamper my ability to apply for and undertake a masters come Sept 2011, but that just means I'll have another year to save and make a dent in it, ready to undertake the course in 2012. Although my main worry here is that I'll be 26 going on 27 and still no closer to a definitive career path.
One way or the other, I want to be back at university within the next two years. Ideally without the debt, but if needs be, then so be it. I've only just about managed to clear my other debts accrued from university of late (very little remaining) so it's not something I'm considering lightly and which is also why it's important for me to get it right.
One way or the other, I want to be back at university within the next two years. Ideally without the debt, but if needs be, then so be it. I've only just about managed to clear my other debts accrued from university of late (very little remaining) so it's not something I'm considering lightly and which is also why it's important for me to get it right.
MA (Cantab) MVST (Pathology)
BA MVST (Pathology)
It chose me, I got it just for remaining alive for 6 years after starting Uni
Cost £30 IIRC
Not in the UK, but I've actually found in the US having a Masters degree rather than a Bachelors seems to be a useful distinction
Completely useless in terms of your OP of course, but there we go
Im currently studying Information Security *waves at tntcoder* and Royal Holloway. I was fortunate enough to have work pay for mine, I dont think I could afford it myself and havent even made a dent in my undergrad loan repayments! It is a 2 year course as Im doing it part time. I couldnt comment on how its helped my career as I was already semi in the industry but I am hoping that once I graduate it'll open up doors. I know a lot of people I work with have really benefited from having theirs.
My first degree was Computer and Network Technology from Hertfordshire.
The only advice I can really give (and this is based on what I have been told and what happened to my friend) is dont do a masters just for the sake of it. It has to be something you're passionate about.
Sorry I cant offer much help, I just wanted to say I really enjoy mine and I would recommend them!
My first degree was Computer and Network Technology from Hertfordshire.
The only advice I can really give (and this is based on what I have been told and what happened to my friend) is dont do a masters just for the sake of it. It has to be something you're passionate about.
Sorry I cant offer much help, I just wanted to say I really enjoy mine and I would recommend them!
What Masters degree do you hold? - Masters in Business Administration
What was your first degree in? - Economics
Why did you choose your masters course? - it's the qualification that keeps on giving!
How did you fund it? help from parents
Did the course help you find employment? - without doubt, I joined the consulting firm I was targeting within a month of graduating and would not even have got an interview based on my first degree
More than a decade later it is still a valuable element of my CV and many of the skills from it are used daily in my work. I have my own consulting firm and the MBA definitely unlocked my career progression.
My wife is doing an MBA at the moment.
What was your first degree in? - Economics
Why did you choose your masters course? - it's the qualification that keeps on giving!
How did you fund it? help from parents
Did the course help you find employment? - without doubt, I joined the consulting firm I was targeting within a month of graduating and would not even have got an interview based on my first degree
More than a decade later it is still a valuable element of my CV and many of the skills from it are used daily in my work. I have my own consulting firm and the MBA definitely unlocked my career progression.
My wife is doing an MBA at the moment.
First degree; psychology
Masters; education psychology
It was natural career progression for what I wanted to do
Cost about £6k I think. Funded by savings, a wing and a prayer.
Yes it helped me find employment. A bit of distinction from all the other grads helps.
Did you get a 2:1? Most courses will ask for that. Also, if you want to change careers and do a business masters, you'd probably better get reading and researching. If you didn't get a good grade on your undergrad dissertation, you will need to show evidence of doing research at a higher level as most masters courses will need you to work at a high research standard.
All in all though, good option
Masters; education psychology
It was natural career progression for what I wanted to do
Cost about £6k I think. Funded by savings, a wing and a prayer.
Yes it helped me find employment. A bit of distinction from all the other grads helps.
Did you get a 2:1? Most courses will ask for that. Also, if you want to change careers and do a business masters, you'd probably better get reading and researching. If you didn't get a good grade on your undergrad dissertation, you will need to show evidence of doing research at a higher level as most masters courses will need you to work at a high research standard.
All in all though, good option
First degree; Medical Sciences
Masters; MSc Cancer Pharmacology
Wanted to gain an extra qualification in a subject that I enjoyed as well as hopefully getting a foot in the door for Research
Funded though a Career Development loan, 6k, 2/3 to being paid off.
No, I'm in a job still that doesn't even require a degree LOL.
Masters; MSc Cancer Pharmacology
Wanted to gain an extra qualification in a subject that I enjoyed as well as hopefully getting a foot in the door for Research
Funded though a Career Development loan, 6k, 2/3 to being paid off.
No, I'm in a job still that doesn't even require a degree LOL.
MEng Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering - I did an undergraduate masters
Better employment opportunities, most employers in the engineering sector want employees with a masters degree.
Part of my undergraduate degree so was just an extra year of student loans.
Yes, as I said before most of the jobs I wanted either favoured or required people with a masters.
Sorry if that wasn't too helpful, just adding my 2p
Soldato
- Joined
- 20 Jun 2010
- Posts
- 3,251
My OH has just started her masters, so despite the implied past tense i will answer on her behalf:
Forensic Psychology
Psychology
Logical progression / Relevant to career interests
Part time degree, part time work + some parental support
N/A
Forensic Psychology
Psychology
Logical progression / Relevant to career interests
Part time degree, part time work + some parental support
N/A
Exactly the same for me, did an undergrad masters (MEng) as it was an extra year of student loans. MSc in my area seems fairly useless unless you're coming from another discipline over to chem eng - it costs more and the courses offered at the university (Sheffield) were exactly the same as the undergrad 4th year ones!
Main reason I chose it was that to be a chartered Chemical Engineer you need to have either an MEng degree, or a top-up masters - BEng is not enough for chartered any more.