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Masters
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I've started thinking of doing a masters degree part time.
Main issues are my health not being good enough and paying the fees.
Thinking of either a practical science course or a more philosophical science course.
Main issues are my health not being good enough and paying the fees.
Thinking of either a practical science course or a more philosophical science course.
Post edited by JustV on
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But that's coming from someone who's practically having a nervous breakdown over her final project that's in in a week. They're bloody hard and I've seen several people on my course fall both physically and mentally ill because of how difficult it is.
If you're serious then part time would be best, I'm struggling with full time and I thought I was a pretty solid person.
I think distance-learning might not be supportive enough for a student who has health concerns. Something like the evening courses at Birkbeck might be better suited.
An honest conversation with admissions would be your best bet, or a chat to someone from your old uni who knows a bit about your circumstances and abilities.
Have you thought about taking a course on a module basis, just to dip your toe in the water to see what you're capable of? The taught part of most courses should be OK for you with the right support, but the final project is a big ask of anyone.
Not my experience at all. There is a lot of support from the OU if you ask for it.
That's really good to hear
as i did for my undergrad, i've already been in touch, and met with, student support at the uni and had plenty of extra support put in place. the cost and the possible impact on my health have worked against each other, because i'm doing the course full-time and will have to work a lot too in order to make it cheaper, but in an ideal world i'd take it slower to make it less stressful. if i could afford it, and if it was practical, i'd probably go down the modular or part-time route. i know it's going to be a really tough year.
aside from all of the money/housing/jobs crap, i am really excited. i'm doing a course that i never dreamed i'd get on and although i'm hoping with pretty much every fibre of my being that i'll get a good job afterwards, ultimately i want to do it because i'm interested and WANT to study this subject. i think that if you want to pursue a topic that you really love, you'll find the way that's best for you and it will work out.
I'm considering the following options-
So my options look like this-
OU modules from masters in Science and Society
UCL masters /postgrad dip or cert in either History and Philosophy of Science or Science and Technology studies (like sociology of science etc) part time over 2 years
Birkbeck masters in analytical chemistry - good employment prospects but not sure about it.
One thing that concerns me is I don't know what the government etc are going to do to benefits in the next few years. As I get higher DLA I should be able to get my ESA and housing benefit etc whilst I study part time but I don't trust the system. I have friend's with mh probs that have got degrees this way.
I'm going through the ATOS process again at the moment as it was 18 months since I last did it. My gp is sure I won't have to go back to work as I have a lot going on mentally and physically at the moment, she says if they try anything 'we will fight it'.
I've done the odd evening class since being on these benefits and have friends who got their degrees (undergrad and postgrad) this way.
I'm thinking I'll give it a go with the OU, starting with a little course. Then other times I think negative and think I can't change my situation so why bother trying, I'm destined to be like this forever.
Also I finish my current therapy programme in about 5 months at which point I'm being refered to a Skills Development Programme for Personality Disorders, my friend has been there and they helped a lot with getting going, how to function when you feel like crap etc.