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How Competitive is it to Get onto a Masters Course?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm looking at 2013 entry... I have referees, experience as a union rep (with involvement on LGBT campaigns), I'll be a mature student and I have a 2:1 in Human Rights and Politics, from an average university. I don't have a private education, plus my A levels are a bit rubbish (due to being in hospital). I have worked in the civil service for the past three years and volunteered on differing campaigns.
I'm looking at Gender and International Relations, or Gender and Culture MA courses at either Manchester, or Bristol. I've heard that Masters courses are getting ever more competitive to get on to, so I'm wondering if I should lower the bar on the reputation of the universities I wish to apply to, so as not to waste my time.
I don't want pessimism, or blind optimism... I'm just curious for people who are better tuned in to what's going on with universities at present... Is it realistic to get on to a Masters course, with a 2:1, or is the market saturated with graduates with s 1st degree?
I'm looking at Gender and International Relations, or Gender and Culture MA courses at either Manchester, or Bristol. I've heard that Masters courses are getting ever more competitive to get on to, so I'm wondering if I should lower the bar on the reputation of the universities I wish to apply to, so as not to waste my time.
I don't want pessimism, or blind optimism... I'm just curious for people who are better tuned in to what's going on with universities at present... Is it realistic to get on to a Masters course, with a 2:1, or is the market saturated with graduates with s 1st degree?
Post edited by JustV on
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In my experience (which admittedly is going back a few years now) it's fairly easy to get a place on a Masters course, even PhD for that matter. Getting funding however (especially for arts and social sciences) is extremely tough. Pretty much if you've got a 2:1 and the money to fund yourself, I see no reason for you not try for the course you want to do at a decent uni.
I might be missing some big shift in the way universities are being run, but it used to be they relied heavily on postgrads and research to get a good score on RAE, so I find it hard to believe they'll turn students with a 2:1 and money away. I'm pretty sure being a mature student won't count against you either. Mature and international students were always highly regarded at my uni :thumb:
Your best bet would probably be to get in touch with the admissions tutor for a couple of the courses you're interested in and ask them directly.
Yeaahhh... Manchester don't seem to offer post grad burseries
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I'll be using a combination of savings to get settled on (hopefully around £3-5K saved up by then) and a Career Development Loan for fees. I'll be doing a Masters part time, so will be working maybe 20-25 hours a week to cover rent and basic living... I think the hours I'd need to study on a part time Masters is around 16-20 a week, so figured this would add up to what I'd normally work.
I figured it's doable, if say I paid £200-350 rent (I think for a single room this is realistic in Manchester, Leeds, Norwich or Bristol?) and worked enough to earn about £600 per month?
Yup, same here
No joke... Some drop downs ask for where you were born and it says England, but you can't put English as your nationality.