Postgrad Loans Scheme 2016

Is this going to be applicable for Conversion courses, that are advertised as Conversion courses at MSc level?

They are still making the rules, so you will have to wait, but being at MSs level doesnt make it an MSc as below. They may change it, but thats what they know at the moment.

Eligible Master’s courses include the following:
MSc (Master of Science)
MA (Master of Arts)
MPhil (Master of Philosophy) stand alone qualification
MRes (Master of Research) stand alone qualification
LLM (Master of Law)
MLitt (Master of Letters)
MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
MEd (Master of Education)
MBA (Master of Business Administration)

I note you have posted soemthing slightly different on the other forum. If the qualification you get is xxxxMSc, then I would say it is an eligible course, ig however its just xxxx and someone says its MSc level, but the qualification doesnt credit you with MSc, then no. See the difference?

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

phantompain

Original post by 999tigger

Yes, the courses I reference all state they are at MSc level, it doesn't seem to me they are unethically labelling the courses as this just to get students aboard. I was not even aware the institutions could legally lie about a degree being worth less than it is actually will be?

Here's the courses I've found that are Conversions said to be worth MSc level creditation:

MMU
http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/2016/13469/

Chester
http://www.chester.ac.uk/postgraduate/psychology-conversion

UCLAN
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/psychology_conversion_msc.php

Reply 3

999tigger

I think theres a slight language difference, which has caused some confusion.

Those courses all look fine because they give you the MSc, Mphil designation and I assume they are taught.
-you have to be studying a taught or research Master’s course,

http://www.slc.co.uk/media/6854/sfe_pgl_qg_1617_d.pdf

Reply 4

phantompain

Okay thank you for linking that, it seems to indicate that conversions are going to be included as part of the criteria.

I was thrown off by many people claiming Conversions (despite being taught level masters/MScs) are somehow still only really a poor substitute for not getting a BSc. Which doesn't seem to be the case at all here.

Reply 5

999tigger

Original post by phantompain

For it to be a qualifying degree the important thing is that it has the MSC designation. and it is taught. So for the purposes of the PGL loan they are speaking rubbish.

An MSc compared to a BSc is 2 v 3 years so obviously you study for longer, which means broader or in more depth.. That Is what they may have meant.

Reply 6

phantompain

Original post by 999tigger

I've emailed some of the courses I mentioned and they are saying the PGL will be applicable.

In regards to the 2v3 year debate. Aren't the Conversion MScs 1 year full-time, and 2 part-time? It's what I've read anyhow, do you think if I were to do the courses I should do them spread over two years just to pad out the way in which it may look to future admin at Postgrad (PhD programmes)?

I ask because I am aware I'm only allowed to utilise the PGL once. So if I were to do this Conversion (Psychology) I'd not be able to get a loan to support my specialist MSc afterwards, so would be applying for PhD and Doctorate programmes with just the Conversion MSc; and would want it to show my accreditation which technically it would. But they will know I only did 1 year at MSc and not 3 years at undergraduate which we are inferring is slightly more enchanting to admin. I could be making an erroneous judgement of how admin look at these types of courses mind you.

Reply 7

999tigger

I meant your friends were speaking rubbish.

Honestly I didnt take a detailed look at whether the MSc were 1 or 2 years. Normally I expect them to be 1. As to whether you should spread it over two, then if that would mean you going p/t that would be reflected on your CV. I think the admin would know that.

Yes because they will ask you to enter the details of your MSc and you are under a duty to give them an accyrate and truthful record. If the course is one year, then it is one year, they will know and you will tell. No hiding.

If you are thinking for afterwards, then maybe check upon the reputation of the institute you are applying to check out the course, so you know you are getting a good quality degree that is worth the £10k. You could also do some research on potential insitutions you might wnat to apply to afterwards and check out there entry requirements for PHD and whether your degree will be sufficient.

Reply 8

phantompain

Thank you for responding, going to be hard to settle on one course in particular for a lot of people including myself. SInce you don't want to be wasteful of the 10k as you say.