This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

My MA - Is it worth it?!

Right, I'll try and keep this short.

I went to college, had lots of problems, and subsequently messed up my A Levels (really badly). Thankfully, my tutors wrote to universities and I got a place at an ex-poly, where I am now in my final year of an arts-based degree (history & psychology). Things have gone well there, and I'm set for a 2:1 (missed the 1st - damn!). Career wise, I eventually see myself as a HR Manager.
Because I do not have a business background, and because I want to get CIPD qualified, I applied and got places for Human resource Management at postgraduate level at a few universities (Leeds was my first choice, followed by Newcastle).

However, after assessing my financial situation, I am now no longer sure if it is feasible for me to complete a masters this year. Newcastle is certainly out of the equation with fees of over £7,000, and that isn't including living expenses. Leeds is £4,000, so more suitable, but still a lot of money. A university near where I live (Cheshire/South Manchester) would thus be a more suitable choice as I could move back home and thus eliminate living costs. (I am still assessing whether it would be possible to commute to Leeds from home... reckon it could be an hours drive... hmmm ).
Anyway, Manchester University have said that they are over-subscribed and my lack of A-levels would result in my application being declined. Manchester Met is a centre of excellence for the CIPD (the HR qualification I am looking to get with the masters), however being an ex-poly this is seen as one of the "lesser" universities and thus less attractive to me as an applicant. As far as I can gather, Salford only offer the Masters with a CIPD route as a part-time course.

So eliminating postgraduate study, my next answer would be to move back home and get a job, either general management based, in which I could learn all aspects of business and later specialise in HR (if I still wished), or in a HR specific job. However, having focused my attention on postgraduate study, I have, rather idiotically, missed most of the deadlines for graduate schemes, although there are a few left from what I understand (Enterprise, Lidl... thats about all i can think of right now!).
Alternatively, I could get a low level HR admin job, and study CIPD part-time, either off my own back or with my employer's sponsorship.
Or, I could get any sort of job I can, get some experience, earn some money and use that money to fund a masters in a years time.

My parents are offering no guidance, they did not actually want me to go to university in the first place (having funded my brother through Imperial they did not think it was worth studying a second-rate degree at a second-rate institution). Neither work (retired) and thus cannot offer any help financially.
I have actually had an offer from a (rich!) friend to loan me the money for the Leeds fees (his sister did the same course and did very well out of it), however I don't know if I could take that kind of money off someone.

Anyway - does anyone have any advice for my situation? I know that the universities may not be within the standard that many expect within these forums, however I am just looking to do the best with the opportunities I am presented with. I am not expecting to set the business world alight! I want to be realistic, however I do not want to spend my life thinking 'what if?'

Apologies if the post seems disjointed and full of spelling/grammar mistakes, but I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. So much for keeping it short.

Thankyou for any guidance that anyone can offer :redface:

shellx

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

The Boosh

Some ex-poly's are fine. I studied at one and many of my old uni friends are working in good jobs in london or other big cities, from finance to publishing, or doing postgraduate qualifications (masters and phds) at other universities with scholarships, or travelling the world. There are many examples of ex-poly's doing better than traditional universities in subject tables. I dont know much about Manchester Met. - I met a graduate from there doing a pgce at a redbrick and she did fine for herself and is teaching in london now.

Reply 2

yeung3939

Are red brick unis generally highly regarded in UK?

Are ex-polys necessarily worse than red-brick unis?

Thanks.

Reply 3

The Boosh

Redbricks tend to be well regarded yes.
And no, ex-poly's are not always worse than redbricks.

Reply 4

passthesaltplease

BombShell

Manchester Met is a centre of excellence for the CIPD (the HR qualification I am looking to get with the masters), however being an ex-poly this is seen as one of the "lesser" universities and thus less attractive to me as an applicant. As far as I can gather, Salford only offer the Masters with a CIPD route as a part-time course.

I don't really feel I can comment on the course/university aspect of what you plan to do, but I would think that if Man Met is a centre of excellence for what you want to do it should definitely be on your list. Because your field is more professionally based than 'pure' academics (its not like you want to do a Master's in Medieval History), surely employers are much more interested in the quality of the product (i.e. you) of a university that its academic snob-value. If its known as a centre of excellence, then it got that reputation through employers.

As a logistical point. Wouldn't part-time be a good option for you, because you could get work experience in HR and be earning to support yourself (and pay your fees) while you get your qualification. Are you in a big rush to get this qualification?

Reply 5

The Boosh

I second that motion :smile:

Reply 6

Jazzza

Good idea. Part-time while you are working in that "low level" job. I am not sure how much higher up the ladder you would get with your Masters anyway - in your first job. Except maybe a job with better prospects rather than one that is higher up the ladder. You need the work experience.

Reply 7

Exoskeletal

can i just add that on a practical level driving to leeds all week will be a nightmare. the M62 is solid at rush hour, so if u have morning seminars/lectures it will definitely take you more than an hour and probably stress you out big time. plus parking costs a bomb in leeds.
sorry i can't offer any academic advice.

Reply 8

Southessex

Manchester Met is a centre of excellence for the CIPD

I just graduated from South Dakota State University, headed for Oxford. SDSU is "sister college" with Manchester met, or MMU as we call them. I have had the opportunity to meet several of the faculty and graduate students in various fields and I assure you there is nothing substandard about this "ex-poly". Plus, if you say it is a centre of excellence for your specific interest, don't you think employers may recognize that too?
Best of luck in your decisions. I also had a poor performance in my earlier academic career (practically flunked out of US Naval Academy) but hard work turned it around. I applaud your perserverance.

Reply 9

yeung3939

Oh! you are so brilliant!

May I know what you will be studying?

Reply 10

Southessex

Well, thanks, but I don't think brilliant is the right word, I am just stubborn. If I was brilliant, I would not have majored in lager and vodka the first time I tried higher education. :redface:

I'll be reading for the MPhil in European Archaeology.

Reply 11

yeung3939

What is lager and vodka?

Are they ancient languages?

Is South Dakota State U famous for archaeology??? Very few u offer this kind of modules!

Reply 12

Southessex

What is lager and vodka?

Are they ancient languages?

No, they are alcoholic beverages. I mean to say that I made poor choices in my earlier academic career.

I got my degree in History at SDSU, Archaeology is at Oxford.

Reply 13

yeung3939

HaHa, I am an international student from Hong Kong. My English is crap so I don't know what these funny things actually are....

Is it hard to get into Oxford? Does a 1st suffice?

Reply 14

Astor

yeung3939

HaHa, I am an international student from Hong Kong. My English is crap so I don't know what these funny things actually are....

Is it hard to get into Oxford? Does a 1st suffice?

Unless one attends Oxford or Cambridge - your all sh**e. That goes for Manchester, Leeds, Durham, Bath, Manchester Poly, Salford, Bolton - all.

If your an oxford student, you have earnt the right to be academically arrogant - there are no better alternatives - whereas Manchester students say, are NOT the top - they are BELOW - whereas oxford/cam are the TOP, there is no higher.

So unless you study at Oxbridge - employers will consider your degree classification, then subject, then university location - not the reverse.

It ranks as follows:

1. Oxbridge
2. Everything else.

Reply 15

Southessex

Wow, Astor, I am stunned. I am academically proud to be going to Oxford, but no one has a right to be arrogant. Although I have felt nothing but bliss since opening my unconditional offer letter, your post makes me feel as if Oxford was a dirty word. Thanks for that.

yeung3939, don't worry, my Cantonese is crap also :smile:

so xie xie for the compliments and keep practicing. Oxford is hard to get into, but they take a lot of different things into account in each person's case.

Reply 16

yeung3939

xiexie is Mandarin.....

Anyway, I am fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin

Reply 17

Alan Smithee

Astor

I disagree, since a huge majority of Oxbridgians have been funded through the education system. A lot of people are there because their Daddy can afford a donation for some new books.

Reply 18

yeung3939

Yes! One of my secondary school classmates whose parents are professors got offer from Oxford without difficulties.

Family background and 'special contribution' are taken into consideration.

As far as I know, this is also true for the American Ivies. I know this from my secondary school friends.

Reply 19

kalen

Here we go with the stereotypes :rolleyes:

Just because your parents are professors it doesn't mean you get into uni because of their 'status' rather than your abilities. Just to cite my favorite celeb example, Blair's son didn't make his offer and wasn't accepted into Oxford. Plus, I don't really think Oxbridge libraries need a few new books :laugh:

The "you can pay your way into uni" philosophy is just bs brought up by people who either a) are too envious b) can't be bothered to put the extra effort c) are bitter over rejections.