[snibblesnore]

I have read through a similarly titled thread on this forum and would like to hear your opinions on my own situation.

I have a 3rd class degree in Computer Science. I 'achieved' this in about 2004.
I was in my early twenties at the time and had been suffering from undiagnosed depression for an extended period.

The back story to this situation involves brain cancer, liver cancer, schizophrenia, the death of two mothers (both my own) and a (subsequently) alcoholic father. I felt I had to include this info to attest that this was not minor turbulence in the air flight of life, but strong gusty headwind throughout takeoff and climbing.

I now find myself at 30 and, thank god, in a very good place. Having finally attained the level of emotional sophistication that I lacked in past times. I have a good job as a software developer, a mortgage, and the love of a wonderful woman.

So whats the problem? Well it's slowly been dawning on me for a number of years that, as my teachers often intimated, I am exceptionally bright. The word 'gifted' was dallied around at one point. I want to see whether the theory holds water.

Which is why last year I took a 60 point course in mathematics at the open university, M208 Pure Mathematics (level 2). I acheived a distinction with 92%. I found the course rather easy, only needing to spend one saturday a month learning and doing the TMAs (Course Work).

This year I am taking Complex Analysis and Fluid Mechanics. If, as I hope, I achieve a distinction in these courses where should I go from there? My primary goal is to learn mathematics, my secondary is to bolster my qualifications. I also have an eye on possibly attempting to find my way into academia. As such I am not interested in going back to level 1 and 2 courses that I have mastered through my study at level 2 and 3, which appears to be the only way that I could progress to a degree in mathematics. Because of this fact the only other route that appears to be open to me is to gain enough knowledge and proof of academic ability at undergraduate mathematics level to pass onto the Mathematics Masters course. I am hoping to sway the entrance board by sticking to core mathematics topics and achieving first class marks. The hope being that proof of an ability to succeed in the masters will trump the default entry requirements.

What do you guys think of this route? Can you suggest any other means of acheiving these goals? All this is of course based upon acheiving excellent marks in the upcoming courses, although this is by no means certain, please take it as a given.

Many Thanks,
snibblesnore

[snuffit]

Bump.

I really don't know much about your field but you have a compelling case. I really think there must be some options for you.

[evantej]

(Original post by snibblesnore)
[...] Which is why last year I took a 60 point course in mathematics at the open university, M208 Pure Mathematics (level 2). I acheived a distinction with 92%. I found the course rather easy, only needing to spend one saturday a month learning and doing the TMAs (Course Work).

This year I am taking Complex Analysis and Fluid Mechanics. If, as I hope, I achieve a distinction in these courses where should I go from there? My primary goal is to learn mathematics, my secondary is to bolster my qualifications. I also have an eye on possibly attempting to find my way into academia. As such I am not interested in going back to level 1 and 2 courses that I have mastered through my study at level 2 and 3, which appears to be the only way that I could progress to a degree in mathematics. Because of this fact the only other route that appears to be open to me is to gain enough knowledge and proof of academic ability at undergraduate mathematics level to pass onto the Mathematics Masters course. I am hoping to sway the entrance board by sticking to core mathematics topics and achieving first class marks. The hope being that proof of an ability to succeed in the masters will trump the default entry requirements.

What do you guys think of this route? Can you suggest any other means of acheiving these goals? All this is of course based upon acheiving excellent marks in the upcoming courses, although this is by no means certain, please take it as a given. [...]

Leaving aside the issue of your background for the moment, most computing degrees have a strong emphasis on mathematics anyway; I did the first year of a computing programme and took two units with other computing and mathematics students. In this sense, I do not think universities will be blind to your mathematics background.

Your degree classification therefore is the main issue. Given that you have ample reasoning for your classification, and your recent marks have been strong, I think you have a strong case to go onto a masters, or at least a postgraduate diploma with the option of upgrading during the year. My only immediate worry would be you managing to get an academic reference, one that could back up your claims about your classification. I would contact both your old university (personal tutor or programme leader) and the programme leader at whichever university you are interested in applying for.

My personal experience of computing students is that a lot of brilliant ones simply cannot stand the process of jumping through hoops for three years so their performance sinks, or they drop out altogether in some cases, despite being far more able and far more practical experience than some who graduate with better classifications.

Which university and programme were you interested in?

[Craghyrax]

(Original post by snuffit)
Bump.

I really don't know much about your field but you have a compelling case. I really think there must be some options for you.

Your third class degree is clearly not the only thing you have to show which is what your thread title melodramatically suggests
The fact that you have relevant work experience and have taken OU courses and done well in them does significantly change the picture.
As does the fact that you have extenuating circumstances to explain your degree.

It would be unwise for a non expert in your area such as myself to predict your chances for you, and chances are always relevant to the field of applicants at any one given point in time.
Nevertheless its certainly worth giving it a go. It would be a good idea to spend time researching different courses and departments and then emailing them to explain your situation and see how they respond to the idea of your applying. Some will be cold, but there will probably be ones that welcome you if you keep looking and trying. But it will take perseverence and time taken with emailing and looking into departments.

[Itchynscratchy]

Masters course are by no means closed to you completely. I graduated with a 3rd with no mitigating circumstances at all (I was just a lazy immature idiot). I started on a PGDip and upgraded to the full masters at the end. Granted this was in an area that had little competition though.

Master's courses are money spinners for unis. Contact a few and find out if they'll take you, you might be surprised at just how many will.