Is it better to go for a second BSC or a conversion course in computer science?

I graduated with a 2.1 in Psychology, and only at the end of my degree I realized that psychology is not what I want to do.

Honestly I entered psychology for all the right reasons. I was obsessed with academic psychology, and wanted to do a PHD at the University of Edinburgh in the area of parapsychology (it was my life long obsession) but after self-publishing numerous books on parapsychology I have realized that no one is interested about an academic analysis of extra sensory perception, and I realized that the career of an academic psychologists might not be the right one for me, as in my heart I want nothing more than to create art, as in games.

I'm an EU student (from poland) so aftre my degree I decided to move back to poland.

Right now I plan to re-qualify as a game programmer. Currently I'm working on point-and-click game with my Fiancee (she's an art and design graduate who's also an expert on 3d modeling). We'll probably have 2 finished games by the end of this year.

Now I have various options before me if I ever want to work professionally as a computer programmer.

For the next 3 years I'll be in poland creating video game projects. (Mostly in Unity 3d) That's a given. Now I have the following options
1
Enroll into a polish Computer Science program part time. (120 credits per year. It's kind off like the polish equivalent to the london external program or the OU just in really math-heavy computer science).

Specifically this one:
http://www.pja.edu.pl/en/computer-science/bachelors/studia-internetowe/program-studiow (I would get this for much cheaper than any british course)


I plan to accumulate 240 credits (120 ects points) And transfer to Teeside BSC in Computing

According to this page I'll be eligible for a student loan for a part time Computer Science BSC and I can transfer all my credits from the first 2 years of study
www.tees.ac.uk/sections/fulltime/funding2015.cfm

Specifically into this course:
www.tees.ac.uk/undergraduate_courses/Computing_&_Web/BSc_(Hons)_Computing.cfm
Alternatively I would transfer it to the Open University Computing and IT degree. Both would accept 240 of my polish credits.


Alternatively I can just focus on learning on my own and on creating games and enroll into this conversion course 'when I'm ready'

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/computing/computing-science/

I know that from 2017 student loans will be available for thought masters which would make this possible for me to do this conversion course.


Alternatively I'm considering preparing myself for this MSC
http://www2.hull.ac.uk/pg/courses/gamesprogrammingmsc.aspx
(They said that they'll accept graduates of any discipline if they learn C++ on their own)
Or http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/msc-computer-games-entertainment/
(They also claim they'll accept you if you learnd programing on your own)

Would they consider me for this MSC if I had a conversion course from imperial college london?
http://www.abertay.ac.uk/courses/pg/cgd/



I know this might all sound confusing. Believe me I'm overwhelming myself with this. All I know for certain is that I want to spend the next 3 years creating games on my own with my girlfriend. I don't know which road would increase my employability in the area of game programing.


Do you guys think that geting some polish undergraduate classes in computer science might raise my chances of getting accepted into a conversion course (the first year is almost pure math in poland, which would demonstrate my aptitude at higher math) ?

Would a MSC conversion course from Imperial College London make me more employable than a BSC from the Open Univeristy or Teeside?

Would I be able to get into a masters that requires a BSC in computer science after I do the conversion course? (Such as the one in Abertray http://www.abertay.ac.uk/courses/pg/cgd/ )


Would a portfolio of games also be considered when applying to a video game programing degree?


Should I even bother myself with the polish undergraduate courses/classes? A part of me thinks that since I don't have Math A-levels, a transcript showing that I have aced undergraduate math classes at that polish school would at least show that I'm albe ot tackle all the math they'll throw at me. That's one of the reasons why I'm considering doing at least the first year of that undergraduate in computer science. It would be very cheap for me to do, and it might look good on the personal statement. Although I'm not sure about that, that's why I'm asking here. )


Who do you think is more employable someone with a MSC in computer science from imperial college london and an MSC in game programing or someone with a BSC in computing from Teeside/ The OU and an MSC in game programing?


I would be very grateful for an answer to this question.

From what I heard the imperial MSC is very competitive they have 400 applicants for 40 places every year. Would taking a year of Math-centric undergrad courses improve my chances of getting in? Would it show proactivity and seriousness? Or would it give out a negative impression?

There is no provision for masters in 2017. That proposal was made by the previous government. The guy who proposed it is no longer in government. And seeing how Higher Education is going to face further cuts, I would not hold my breath for the possibility that the current government (which is hardcore on austerity measures) will give funding for Masters. Especially, when they are already making austerity changes to undergraduate funding.

Do you mean to say that masters degree funding is no longer coming in 2016? Does anyone have a source or anything?

Thanks for any info.

I am specifically saying that there is no program or plan in place for it (and hence, you can't say that it is coming). The guy who made this proposal is called Vince Cable and he is no longer part of the government.

Take a look at the government site gov.uk and you will see that there is no mention of a plan in place for 2016 or any time in the future. There was a consultation on HE funding started by the previous government and completed by the current one whose results were supposed to be out 2 weeks ago. That might be a source of hope but I highly doubt the current austerity-oriented government will actually make a plan for funding postgrad loans.

Interesting. That's referring to this I think?: http://www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/new-uk-postgraduate-loans-scheme.aspx

I'm interested because I need to be sure whether or not they will be available for 2016 as it will impact on my plans.

OP, as for OU or teesside, I'd do whichever is more convenient.

Interesting. That's referring to this I think?: http://www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/new-uk-postgraduate-loans-scheme.aspx

I'm interested because I need to be sure whether or not they will be available for 2016 as it will impact on my plans.

OP, as for OU or teesside, I'd do whichever is more convenient.

The problem is no one knows for sure but the government. But we know with certainty that right now there is no plan. Maybe next month they will come and give us a pleasant surprise but given the austerity-approach of the current government I would not rely on that.

P.S. The info in that link refers to the consultation carried out by the previous government. As I said, the current government has not said anything about postgraduate loans but they have been very vocal about cuts to HE when they were in the coalition so now that they have full governing powers I see no reason why they would change their minds. One can always hope. But if I were you I would look into self-funding.

The problem is no one knows for sure but the government. But we know with certainty that right now there is no plan. Maybe next month they will come and give us a pleasant surprise but given the austerity-approach of the current government I would not rely on that.

P.S. The info in that link refers to the consultation carried out by the previous government. As I said, the current government has not said anything about postgraduate loans but they have been very vocal about cuts to HE when they were in the coalition so now that they have full governing powers I see no reason why they would change their minds. One can always hope. But if I were you I would look into self-funding.

But as I said the undergraduate loans for a second part-time degree in computer science are. already. in place https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
So I would be able to take 2 years of computer science in poland and finish it at the OU or Teeside and get a loan for it.

Incorrect. If you have a degree, you don't get financial support. The only exceptions are for social and healthcare degrees like nursing and medicine. You will have to pay yourself. Oh, and you will probably be paying the Overseas fee (because you already have a degree) so you better save up.

There is no provision for masters in 2017. That proposal was made by the previous government. The guy who proposed it is no longer in government. And seeing how Higher Education is going to face further cuts, I would not hold my breath for the possibility that the current government (which is hardcore on austerity measures) will give funding for Masters. Especially, when they are already making austerity changes to undergraduate funding.

But as I said the undergraduate loans for a second part-time degree in computer science are. already. in place https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
So I would be able to take 2 years of computer science in poland and finish it at the OU or Teeside and get a loan for it.

That must be a new addition. But note that they say "limited" funding. It might be a good idea to call them to see exactly how much funding you will get. Otherwise, you might find yourself at the end of your 2 years without enough money.

That also depends on if the OU or Teeside accept that your 2 years at a Polish university is equivalent to a UK degree.

If you look online you will find that some people who have studied at the OU and want to go to a brick university won’t get accepted into the second or third year as the brick unis won’t accept it as an equivalent.

You’re best of emailing them and asking if they would accept you into the third year.

Ah ok. Informative. I'll take that on board and it will probably affect my choices.

When can we know for sure? Next month?

How are they cutting undergraduate funding?

As I said I'll transfer the first 2 years from polish credits. So they'll only will really need to fund one year
I asked and they said they would..

So far I emailed OU. And they will accept. I don't know about Teeside. I emailed them But you know. OU and Teeside are low ranking unis, so I'm sure they'll accept any credit.