[jus-mi]

(Original post by twitka)
lol...im dreading my masters..

awww it shouldn't be too bad...i'm dunno if i should do my asters this year or next...after studying for 3 years i wanna take a break and go travelling but prices for masters are gonna increase next year ....:/

[derp]

(Original post by twitka)
Where are you doing your conversion course? Im thinking of doing mine in Nottingham

I'm not doing Comp Sci - doing Psychology conversion

(Original post by twitka)
Lol also is it just full of international studenrs as well..? No time for a social life?

Actually no, there is no one from outside the UK on my course! Pretty much yes, no time for a social life, I do one society once a week and go out maybe once every two weeks, with occasional drinks, food etc after lectures maybe once or twice a week. And even that drops off as the semester deadline day gets nearer... Other people on my course go out a bit more if they're quicker at working but not a whole lot more.

(Original post by jus-mi)
when you say you have no time for anything else do you mean like a part-time job because i intend to have p/t job on the weekends but worrying that the workload would be too much.

Oh gad no, no time for a part-time job. We were particularly advised not to get a job before starting the course and I'm so glad I listened. A couple of people on my course do have jobs and they struggle sometimes to get the work done. Though this is MY masters I'm talking about - conversion courses are particularly hard work, and I'm doing it in 1 year whereas normally they're done in 2. Apparently all taught masters are a hella amount of work but mine might be more than usual. What masters are you planning to do?

[ShaolinTemple]

(Original post by twitka)
I think I am...and Ive never done any programming before...but any masters course is difficult work..isnt it?

It should be otherwise it shouldn't be a Masters lol.

I don't know but if they teach you from a beginner's level it should be fine. Like I said, I never did any programming and I picked up just fine.

Are you good at Maths?

[mxr808]

I'll be doing a MSc Computer Science (Conversion) at Birmingham starting September 2011. From what I can tell conversion courses are the most intensive of the bunch, because they have very little time to go over a large amount of material. Most if not all courses will expect you to do a lot of preparation reading.

It's a good idea to check out the syllabus and start learning the stuff yourself through books etc just so you don't get bogged down at the start of the year.

I've heard that after an MSc Computer Science conversion you're expected to be at the same level as someone who has done a bachelors. So it's basically 3 years worth of work wrapped into 1.

[jus-mi]

(Original post by derp)
I'm not doing Comp Sci - doing Psychology conversion


Actually no, there is no one from outside the UK on my course! Pretty much yes, no time for a social life, I do one society once a week and go out maybe once every two weeks, with occasional drinks, food etc after lectures maybe once or twice a week. And even that drops off as the semester deadline day gets nearer... Other people on my course go out a bit more if they're quicker at working but not a whole lot more.


Oh gad no, no time for a part-time job. We were particularly advised not to get a job before starting the course and I'm so glad I listened. A couple of people on my course do have jobs and they struggle sometimes to get the work done. Though this is MY masters I'm talking about - conversion courses are particularly hard work, and I'm doing it in 1 year whereas normally they're done in 2. Apparently all taught masters are a hella amount of work but mine might be more than usual. What masters are you planning to do?

arrr i really don't wanna leave my job...oh im doing economics so i won't be doing a conversion course...

[wdreamer]

well I'm a undergraduate student but now in UK so I can't really tell you what you can expect from uk but I think that in every please in the world do a master em computer science without having a undergraduate degree or any background in computer science will be a bit hard you wilk have to study more than others students because they will be ahead of you.

Despite you must check on the university website because I think that one of the requirements to apply for a posgraduate course in computer science is to have a degree in computer science, work experience or some kind a background... because even that they explain everything like someone said here you really need to know some concepts.

So my advice is to check it all and if you go ahead with your decision before university starts you must study a little big of computer science books, like algorithms, data structs, some programming etc

[Haloface]

I haven't really found my MA any more difficult than a final year at University, though as it is often coupled with applications to jobs, or further studies, and you are encouraged to become more involved in academic life with conferences, presenting, etc, I would say it is more time consuming.

[bzly]

Ever thought of doing another bachelors instead seeing as it's a totally different subject?

[evantej]

(Original post by bzly)
Ever thought of doing another bachelors instead seeing as it's a totally different subject?

This is not really feasible. Not only are you ineligible for funding, but because you have a degree already your fees increase too (i.e. equivalent level qualification), though I am not so sure how it works from next year.

[mxr808]

(Original post by wdreamer)
Despite you must check on the university website because I think that one of the requirements to apply for a posgraduate course in computer science is to have a degree in computer science, work experience or some kind a background... because even that they explain everything like someone said here you really need to know some concepts.

A lot of the MSc's in Computer Science are conversion courses for someone who hasn't done a computer related degree. This is the case for Bristol, Imperial, UCL, Birmingham, Birkbeck, Kings etc.

The ones for people who HAVE done CS are usually a lot more specific (Advanced Computer Science) or a particular subject.

[Jamesie]

It depends on the course, but in general, as most of the learning is self-directed, it is as intensive as you make it. If you get really into it (as I did) it can take over every waking minute of your day. Other students slacked off, didn't plan properly and generally saw it as an excuse to spin out the student lifestyle for 12 more months and a number of them failed!

it is a big step up intellectually from undergrad, so it is often a question of ramping up the quality rather than the quantity of the work.

I'd advise you to think hard about it, they are expensive and unless you're fully committed to the idea it is bound to end badly. The fact you're dreading it now ain't a great sign. I'd advise a re-think and not just leaping on this because it holds a vague prospect of a job.

[ginger_beer]

Conversion master can be pretty intensive .. I'd suggest that you start to brush up on your math now, especially discrete math, so this would include things like mathematical logic, proof, graph theory, etc. I anticipate that those would be the largest stumbling block for someone who comes from a biology background like yourself. Also, please .. do pick up some programming now while you have the time. Go to MIT OpenCourseWare websites and start to watch those videos on computer science and maths.

Myself, I'm doing a reverse of yours .. my bachelor degree was computer science and i'm doing bioinformatics mres now.

[John5555]

My masters was very intense because i loved the subject and wanted to get out of it as much as possible. Others were more relaxed but still it had moments of intensity. If you are happy with the subject (despite some doubts, which are natural) then you'll be happy about the intensity, i think. Social life? well i found the whole going to lectures, seminars, meeting for coffee and lunch and discussing work very sociable, but maybe because i'd been self employed before and stuck in a home office. So i appreciated much about it which i think some other students didn't. And that appreciation for all aspects of the course made me happy for it to be intense. Others seemed to be socialising every evening. Depends what you want. If you want to scrape by or to immerse yourself and never have any regrets about "i should have studied a little harder". If you're dreading it, then you may be making a mistake. If you are excited, eager, but a bit anxious, then you're making the right decision. Keep the anxiety in balance and it will motivate you when you get there and throughout. Good luck!

[da_comeback]

Thanks

[ultimate mashup]

Very intensive! Furthermore the pass rate goes up to 50% in contrast to the 40% at undergrad!

[twitka]

(Original post by mxr808)
I'll be doing a MSc Computer Science (Conversion) at Birmingham starting September 2011. From what I can tell conversion courses are the most intensive of the bunch, because they have very little time to go over a large amount of material. Most if not all courses will expect you to do a lot of preparation reading.

It's a good idea to check out the syllabus and start learning the stuff yourself through books etc just so you don't get bogged down at the start of the year.

I've heard that after an MSc Computer Science conversion you're expected to be at the same level as someone who has done a bachelors. So it's basically 3 years worth of work wrapped into 1.

I am applying for it at the momment..I know I will get in

[Jez RR]

fairly

hth

[popple7]

VERY! i was a first class undergrad...now im a barely passing MSc student. you need to be really passionate and determined, otherwise you will struggle.

and im neither passionate or determined, hence i struggle

[NOBODY MOVE!]

very!

i comfortably got a first for my undergrad degree, but despite putting a lot more work into this postgrad msc program i'm nearly finished with i'll be lucky to get a distinction. however it will be achieved if i get 82% for the dissertation (...........unlikely :/)

[hoodwink199]

(Original post by da_comeback)
Thanks

It varies from basically a holiday camp (with people being able to party or even work full time) to one of the hardest experiences of your life.

Which masters in particular are you asking about?