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Should I leave my Masters?

In 2018 I graduated with a 2.1 in BEng Chemical Engineering. I took a gap year due to family and stress. This year I started a Msc in Advanced Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. I performed very badly in my Sem 1 exams, I didnt pass a single exam and I found that I also failed a Sem 2 module. I can only fail 3 modules but I have failed 4. Because of the covid 19 situation my university said they will be lowering the total credits needed to pass, I emailed them and they said it would all depend on the rest of my grades.

I got a 59% for another module and im waiting on some other pieces of coursework to be marked. Should I just cut my losses or stick with my degree? At best I can only achieve a pass grade with all the resits. I'm so stressed out and anxious because I have already taken a year out and Im so worried about finding employment especially with covid 19. I can live with my family, they can support me financially I just feel like a total failure. I dont want to pursue further study so aside from that is a Msc with a pass grade respectable for employers or should I just find work with my BEng? Thank you

Reply 1

Original post
by ilikepiealot
In 2018 I graduated with a 2.1 in BEng Chemical Engineering. I took a gap year due to family and stress. This year I started a Msc in Advanced Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. I performed very badly in my Sem 1 exams, I didnt pass a single exam and I found that I also failed a Sem 2 module. I can only fail 3 modules but I have failed 4. Because of the covid 19 situation my university said they will be lowering the total credits needed to pass, I emailed them and they said it would all depend on the rest of my grades.

I got a 59% for another module and im waiting on some other pieces of coursework to be marked. Should I just cut my losses or stick with my degree? At best I can only achieve a pass grade with all the resits. I'm so stressed out and anxious because I have already taken a year out and Im so worried about finding employment especially with covid 19. I can live with my family, they can support me financially I just feel like a total failure. I dont want to pursue further study so aside from that is a Msc with a pass grade respectable for employers or should I just find work with my BEng? Thank you

What was your motivation for doing a MSc in the first place? Did you do it because of employability and/or passion for the subject?

Given the time and money you've spent on it, you might as well finish now. If you don't feel you'd be able to do a dissertation, then enquire about exit qualifications such a PgDip.

Reply 2

Original post
by PhoenixFortune
What was your motivation for doing a MSc in the first place? Did you do it because of employability and/or passion for the subject?

Given the time and money you've spent on it, you might as well finish now. If you don't feel you'd be able to do a dissertation, then enquire about exit qualifications such a PgDip.

i wanted to apply for engineering jobs and most require a merit at masters level. I like the subject but not enough to do a phd or become a researcher. is the PgDip 120 credits? thank you for replying i will contact my uni about this

Reply 3

Original post
by ilikepiealot
i wanted to apply for engineering jobs and most require a merit at masters level. I like the subject but not enough to do a phd or become a researcher. is the PgDip 120 credits? thank you for replying i will contact my uni about this

It's probably best to discuss your options with your personal tutor. If you did want to do the dissertation element of your MSc and did really well in it, it might pull your average into the merit bracket. A PgDip is 120 credits (so 2 semesters worth of assessments), and a full masters degree is 180 credits.

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