Should I do BSc or an MSc?

[HangTime]

Just find out what the reading list is and read the books yourself.

I hate the idea of paying to be told to buy a book and read it.

An MSc is usually more than just reading a few books. You also don't get a formal certification for reading books.

 

[ubersonic]

I was told back in the day HND is the equivelant of 2 years of a BA / BSC?

Yeah, most colleges don't seem to do HND these days they have been replaced by the FdSc (foundation degree) to make that more obvious.

I ended up doing half of each (first year of HND + second year of FdSc) as I was doing it right on the switchover point lol.

 

[redrabbit29]

Good news is my immediate boss spoke to the big boss and both are supportive and don't see any issues in funding the course. They're submitting the paperwork in the next week or so. The course is MSc Computing (IT Security and Digital Forensics).

The first module will be digital forensics and it starts in May. Very happy as it means I can use the money I've saved on a new computer as my current one is so old now and not fit for purpose.

I've also asked about doing CISSP And waiting on an answer. I already have courses in Ethical Hacking, malware analysis, secure coding booked in for this year.

 

[Zefan]

It sounds like you have a particularly accommodating employer! Giz a job

:Edit: That degree title sounds much better than the previously mentioned Security Management - to me at least - and seems to be in keeping with your overall career plan if those are the courses your employer has set up for you over the next year.

 

[dowie]

Eg I couldn't go for an MSc in physics as I last did science in school and barely passed that then! But if I had a HND in it and a few years in a "sciency" job and some other knowledge of the area I'd be a good match.

Not so sure about that, you'd have to have some very academic work experience and some demonstration of the required level of maths. Do people even do HND's in physics?

Anyway that CompSci MSc isn't going to be as demanding as a Physics MSc and will be a bit more vocational so perfectly reasonable for someone with significant work experience to take. It is great that these options exist and with the way things are going there should be more opportunities for continuous learning in future.

 

[dowie]

Just find out what the reading list is and read the books yourself.

I hate the idea of paying to be told to buy a book and read it.

Depends what you're doing. You'll be self studying a lot on an MSc too, though you'll also have access to TAs, lecturers etc.. recognition for your studies, careers services and the ability to tackle an extended project either in some hot academic area or perhaps an applied project with a company potentially leading to a job with them.

 

[redrabbit29]

Just find out what the reading list is and read the books yourself.

I hate the idea of paying to be told to buy a book and read it.

I think that's a really flawed plan unless you just want to learn one specific thing - eg java programming - at a casual pace.

For most people, they benefit from a "timetable". Eg modules, assignments, a push towards research in specific areas. Rather than just "get a book and read it".

Additionally for employment it wouldn't work. I'd be in a far better position saying to a recruiter, I have X qualification, I am Y and Z certified. As opposed to "I don't have any formal qualifications but I've read tons of books and know lots about alll the areas on your job description".

I'd also quite like the achievement of passiong modules and learning things i wouldn't normally have any reason to look at or even know about.