Full time vs part time masters?

I'm got a place on a FT evening MA but considering changing to PT, since I've got a job that is 36 hrs per week now. My concern is that applying for funded PhDs they might look at PT study as less 'vigorous'? But then, I'm more likely to get a good solid result if I do it PT.

PhD panels aren't daft. They're more likely to recognise the tenacity and commitment it takes to complete a part-time Masters whilst working. It's more of a character reference than a disadvantage.

This is what I'm hoping.. I just feel like it looks less committed in a way? But I suppose better to do PT and do well than FT and scrape by...

Thank you

Part-time study is always tricky, for several different reasons :

'I can study in the evenings after work' - You'll feel tired, you either wont study or you wont do it properly.

'I can study at the weekends' - Your social life will either cease to exist or you'll always be studying with a hangover.

'My partner/girlfriend/boyfriend is really supportive' - Initially maybe, but its like having two jobs, and that creates its own tensions/issues.

'I really enjoy the atmosphere at Uni' - You'll rarely be at Uni. It isnt like doing another undergrad degree (you have to do far more independent study) and you'll be there on rare occasions. Forget having a Student Experience - it'll just be a classroom you visit once a week.

'I like mixing with other students/tutors' As above, you'll only be there for odd days/times. You'll miss that interesting dept. seminar series because its on a work day and you can never be there..

Sorry if this sounds totally negative but I started a part-time postgrad and these were the issues. Constantly tired, Partner fed up. Feeling like I was not really involved at Uni because I was rarely there. Expensive (plus travel). Missed two classes because I had flu and then felt I couldnt catch up. Dropped out.

It is do-able, but you have to put the rest of your life on hold and be fiercely determined/selfish. In my experience that is tough for two whole years - only you can judge if you can be that gutsy and if the cost (financial and 'other') is worth it.

I'm got a place on a FT evening MA but considering changing to PT, since I've got a job that is 36 hrs per week now. My concern is that applying for funded PhDs they might look at PT study as less 'vigorous'? But then, I'm more likely to get a good solid result if I do it PT.

How many hours do you work, OP?

So, I've spoken to registry and they have changed me to part time
Thanks for your advice everyone!

OP - if you need to work to live comfortably, I would do PT. If you don't, then maybe do FT? Personally, I live in London, will be getting married this summer, and my (almost) husband doesn't earn quite enough to bear the brunt of me working less than 25 hours. I would imagine 16ish hours is a lot more manageable - and it depends on what other responsibilities you have in your life. Also, why do you want to do the masters and what subject is it?

congrats! and double congrats on the upcoming wedding!!

I would prefer to also take the whole tutition fee off my head, it will probably cost £10,000 and to pay that in one year means a large loan.. but I would miss the intensity of the course.

To further research and study in a nutshell. In some sort of history or econ development, you?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of either? Do you have any experience doing part time, if so how was it?

I did a Masters degree full time, whilst I met a couple of students who were in the second year doing a degree part time. They did find that it was assumed you had 100% of the time to dedicate to the course. In one case a tutor gave us a week to do a piece of work, thinking oh 7 days will be plenty of time, however for the part time student who worked 4 days a week it meant rushing it in a weekend. He also said that he had to start work really far in advance to make sure work & uni deadlines didn't get in the way. Another tutor changed our seminar time for one week and got angry when a part time student (a different one) couldn't attend the new time because she was working. Also you would need to be organised with a dissertation because as far as I understand it you would have the same deadline as the full time students.

On the more positive side the part timers had more time to come up with a dissertation idea and plan.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of either? Do you have any experience doing part time, if so how was it?

I did an MSc in Finance part-time programme and somehow managed a distinction.

It is very difficult if you want to excel. I was falling ill a lot for the 2 years I did the course and I thought it was because of me not eating well. Once I spoke to other people in my course, I realised that it had probably something to do with the stress of managing a full-time job and part-time study. This is because, they were all talking about how ill they got.

If you start doing well in the part-time course, then your job suffers and vice versa. The thing you have to think about is how willing are you to have your job suffer OR what modules are you willing to do badly in.

You can definitely manage by being super-disciplined but I would certainly not do this whole thing again.