The Student Room Group

can i switch from undergraduate masters to normal Bsc?

and then, say if i change my mind, and i want to do a masters, can i apply for masters degrees at other unis?

thanks
Yeah, switching to the BSc is generally easier than the other way around. It shouldn't be an issue. Then obviously after completing the BSc you can apply to other unis for postgraduate masters degrees.

Just note you won't get funding from student finance to do a postgraduate masters, whereas you will for the undergraduate masters.

However I've read that undergraduate masters are actually worth 20(maybe 0) credits less than a postgraduate masters, so a lot of overseas employers won't recognise it as an actual masters degree. Obviously this point will only matter depending on your desire to seek employment outside of the UK after graduation.
Original post by Et Tu, Brute?
Yeah, switching to the BSc is generally easier than the other way around. It shouldn't be an issue. Then obviously after completing the BSc you can apply to other unis for postgraduate masters degrees.

Just note you won't get funding from student finance to do a postgraduate masters, whereas you will for the undergraduate masters.

However I've read that undergraduate masters are actually worth 20(maybe 0) credits less than a postgraduate masters, so a lot of overseas employers won't recognise it as an actual masters degree. Obviously this point will only matter depending on your desire to seek employment outside of the UK after graduation.


so will i be able to switch pretty early on in my degree?
also, do you apply for a masters during the summer after your Bsc?
thanks
Original post by swaggersaurusrex
so will i be able to switch pretty early on in my degree?
also, do you apply for a masters during the summer after your Bsc?
thanks


Haven't you started your degree yet?

The first year, and I think the second year of the MSci and BSc are identical, allowing students on both to change before anytime before the third year. But as I said, it will be harder to go from BSc to MSci. So if you are only in first year or starting in September, you may as well just stay on the MSci until the second year (though you should check with the uni as not everywhere is the same I suspect).

The only difference between the MSci and BSc is that usually you will need 50% overall to pass the first year of the MSci, as opposed to 40% for the BSc. But again, check this with your uni.

But yeah, in short, you can change as early as you want, the uni probably prefers you to do it earlier in fact. However it may be wiser to stay on the MSc for first year at least in case you change your mind.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Et Tu, Brute?
Haven't you started your degree yet?

The first year, and I think the second year of the MSc and BSc are identical, allowing students on both to change before anytime before the third year. But as I said, it will be harder to go from BSc to MSc. So if you are only in first year or starting in September, you may as well just stay on the MSc until the second year (though you should check with the uni as not everywhere is the same I suspect).

The only difference between the MSc and BSc is that usually you will need 50% overall to pass the first year of the MSc, as opposed to 40% for the BSc. But again, check this with your uni.

But yeah, in short, you can change as early as you want, the uni probably prefers you to do it earlier in fact. However it may be wiser to stay on the MSc for first year at least in case you change your mind.


You mean MSci/MMath/MChem etc rather than MSc. An MSc is the 1-year postgraduate masters.
Original post by Duncan2012
You mean MSci/MMath/MChem etc rather than MSc. An MSc is the 1-year postgraduate masters.


yeah undgergrad masters, MSci etc
Reply 6
Original post by swaggersaurusrex
so will i be able to switch pretty early on in my degree?
also, do you apply for a masters during the summer after your Bsc?
thanks


I did an undergrad masters degree. My advice to you would be to enrol on the course, and then reassess how you feel in 2nd year as to whether or not to drop to the BSc. As someone has already pointed out, the advantage to doing your masters as an undergrad is that you get funding (you'll pretty much have to fund a postgrad masters yourself). So, if you want a job in the area of your undergrad degree, it could be beneficial to do the undergrad masters. If not, drop to the BSc and do a postgrad masters in a different area.
Original post by k3ro
I did an undergrad masters degree. My advice to you would be to enrol on the course, and then reassess how you feel in 2nd year as to whether or not to drop to the BSc. As someone has already pointed out, the advantage to doing your masters as an undergrad is that you get funding (you'll pretty much have to fund a postgrad masters yourself). So, if you want a job in the area of your undergrad degree, it could be beneficial to do the undergrad masters. If not, drop to the BSc and do a postgrad masters in a different area.


i heard that postgraduate masters are more specialised, is that true?
Reply 8
Original post by swaggersaurusrex
i heard that postgraduate masters are more specialised, is that true?


I'd say so, yes. For example, you can do a MPhys that basically gives you an extra year of learning Physics (mine was quantum orientated), or you can do a BSc in Physics and then do an MSc in, say, thin films. Doing it as a postgrad degree essentially lets you choose the area you want to specialise in. However, doing the MPhys saves you money and so is the better option if the job you want to do can be acquired with a degree in general physics. If you want a specialist job (aka academia or specific research) then do the MSc.
Reply 9
Original post by k3ro
I'd say so, yes. For example, you can do a MPhys that basically gives you an extra year of learning Physics (mine was quantum orientated), or you can do a BSc in Physics and then do an MSc in, say, thin films. Doing it as a postgrad degree essentially lets you choose the area you want to specialise in. However, doing the MPhys saves you money and so is the better option if the job you want to do can be acquired with a degree in general physics. If you want a specialist job (aka academia or specific research) then do the MSc.


why does an MPhys save you money?
Original post by asdfyolo
why does an MPhys save you money?


On paper, the fees for a one year Masters are less than those for the fourth year of a MPhys, so that's a good question.

It's all down to funding sources - if you've got a scholarship for the Masters (including living expenses) then that's the best financial option obviously. These are rare.

However, if you haven't, and you need a loan, that's where the MPhys is much cheaper. The fourth year of an MPhys can be covered under student finance. A one year standalone Masters can't. There are some commercial loans available but the repayment terms for these are much less favourable than student finance.
Reply 11
Original post by asdfyolo
why does an MPhys save you money?


Perhaps 'saves you money' wasn't entirely accurate. As Jantaculum has already said, if you do an MPhys you're covered by student finance. If you decide to do an MSc, you'll almost definitely be funding it yourself (or at least a significant part of it) as there's currently no funding for postgrad studies. This makes the MPhys a much better option for people who are limited financially (and for people who know they don't need a specific specialised masters).
Original post by asdfyolo
why does an MPhys save you money?


(Cost of MPhys) < (Cost of BSc + cost of MSc)

You get funding for the final year of the MPhys but you don't get funding for the MSc.
would OPs university be annoyed at him/her if they changed from msci to bsc then did an msc at another uni? (like would they refuse to do a reference?)
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by asdfyolo
would OPs university be annoyed at him/her if they changed from msci to bsc then did an msc at another uni? (like would they refuse to do a reference?)


No. Universities aren't petty like that.
Original post by Duncan2012
No. Universities aren't petty like that.


why do you have three master degrees?
Original post by asdfyolo
why do you have three master degrees?


I did the first one (MEng) like most people. After working for a few years I wanted to get in to a new industry so I did an MSc. And just a couple of weeks ago I finished my MBA, which is useful in business and will give me more opportunities within my company and the wider industry. I'm just waiting for my results and graduation in December :smile:
Original post by Duncan2012
No. Universities aren't petty like that.


why not? they might feel insulted that the person doesn't want to continue studying there
Just did this about an hour ago. You're most definitely supposed to do it a lot earlier, most places say end of second year.
Original post by danielpwhite
Just did this about an hour ago. You're most definitely supposed to do it a lot earlier, most places say end of second year.

as in Msci to Bsc and then apply for Msc or just stick with Bsc?

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