[blondiecurly]

Hi all, has anyone here went back to uni to do a different undergrad degree?

I graduated last year with a BA Hons Media Studies & English, and want to go back and do another BA Hons, Interactive Media, as I've had a change of heart careerwise.

I'm unsure what I should do, as I don't know about commiting myself to another three years (and I wouldn't get tuition loan?). Though many of the modules I done on my original degree are part of the degree I want to do, so I'm wondering if I could somehow convert my degree by doing only the modules I'm missing. It's probably not possible and me wishfully thinking, but has anyone heard of this being done?!

Post-graduate-wise, the Interactive Media degree only offers MRes (only useful for going onto PhD??) and the PhD (which I'm not interested in). Local colleges don't seem to offer anything similar to this degree - and the one offered at my uni is highly-esteemed.

Please advise!!

[River85]

What is your change of heart career wise and why can't your pursue this career with your degree?

Not only won't you receive a tutition fee loan (and have to pay tuition fees higher than the fees you paid for your original degree) you will not be entiled to a maintenance loan, either. I very much doubt it is financially feasible.

[blondiecurly]

Interactive/online media, but I have no practical knowledge or skills, which is essential in any related job I have looked into, and I've had no luck with internships or volunteering for work experience.

I didn't know I'd have higher fees? Gosh

[River85]

(Original post by blondiecurly)
Interactive/online media, but I have no practical knowledge or skills, which is essential in any related job I have looked into, and I've had no luck with internships or volunteering for work experience.

I didn't know I'd have higher fees? Gosh

Well, students who already have an undergrad degree pay "uncapped" fees, which are nearer international students' level (anything from 6 - 10k). There were a handful of exemptions from this (e.g. students entitled to Disabled Students Allowance).

But surely you were aware the cap on fees was being lifted for new entrants this year anyway, so even those taking first degrees are liable for up to £9,000 a year (English domiciled students, at least)? There's been just a little bit of discussion about it these past 18 months

[blondiecurly]

Northern Ireland's fees are still £3,465

[River85]

(Original post by blondiecurly)
Northern Ireland's fees are still £3,465

Well, for Northern Irish domiciled students, yes, though not from students from elsewhere in the UK.

I meant to check which part of the UK you were from. There was something in your post which made me assume England. Too much dissertationing, I think.

The removal of funding for students looking to study a second undergraduate degree all happened under New Labour's ELQ (Equal or Lesser Qualification) funding changes but I think Northern Ireland (and the Open Universty) is, or certainly was, exempt. But I'd check about that.

But even if the ELQ rules don't apply, I wouldn't recommend this (still very expensive and time consuming) option. You cannot "convert" your degree by just doing the additional modules, as far as I'm aware, so you will need to do the entire degree.

Have you received any (proper) career advice?

[blondiecurly]

(Original post by River85)
Well, for Northern Irish domiciled students, yes, though not from students from elsewhere in the UK.

I meant to check which part of the UK you were from. There was something in your post which made me assume England. Too much dissertationing, I think.

The removal of funding for students looking to study a second undergraduate degree all happened under New Labour's ELQ (Equal or Lesser Qualification) funding changes but I think Northern Ireland (and the Open Universty) is, or certainly was, exempt. But I'd check about that.

But even if the ELQ rules don't apply, I wouldn't recommend this (still very expensive and time consuming) option. You cannot "convert" your degree by just doing the additional modules, as far as I'm aware, so you will need to do the entire degree.

Have you received any (proper) career advice?

I haven't yet, though I'm going to go up to the uni this week and talk to some people, and pop into the careers office while I'm there. Was just wondering if anyone had been on the same boat

I wouldn't really want to have to do the three years (for both time and financial reasons!), but not sure what other options there are yet.