What is the social side like for masters students?

Hi! I’m currently in my second year of an undergraduate sociology degree, and considering applying for a masters in either social research or criminology. However, I was wondering what the social life would be like, as I enjoy a good night out, would it be mostly older people who were working full time etc????

Reply 1

University of Portsmouth Student Rep

Official Rep

16

Original post by LivvyJ

Hi! I’m currently in my second year of an undergraduate sociology degree, and considering applying for a masters in either social research or criminology. However, I was wondering what the social life would be like, as I enjoy a good night out, would it be mostly older people who were working full time etc????

Hi! @LivvyJ

What do you mean by social life?

In my experience, many masters student still go out every week, but obviously just a bit less, so like once a week. You could always join a society to get to know more people when you go into your third year and you'll find there will be a few masters students in societies.

In terms of the age of people on your course, it will depend, as every course is different. You can always ask your lecturers, as they will know more about this sort of thing.

I hope this helps!
Chloe - Official Student Rep :smile:

Original post by LivvyJ

Hi! I’m currently in my second year of an undergraduate sociology degree, and considering applying for a masters in either social research or criminology. However, I was wondering what the social life would be like, as I enjoy a good night out, would it be mostly older people who were working full time etc????

HI @LivvyJ,

It depends on what you're looking for by way of a social life really!

I returned to university to do my MA and my PhD in my thirties and my cohort ranged from ages 21/22 to 60+. We all got on as a cohort - and often socialised after seminars by going for a coffee together. Because I was that bit older and also commuting, I tended to prefer a coffee/lunch meet-up to socialise with my university friends than a heavy night on the tiles but others in my cohort definitely went for traditional 'nights out' on campus.

At Keele we have the Keele Postgraduate Association (KPA) who run a lot of postgraduate specific events. You only have to take a look on their website to see the range of things going on (https://www.kpa.org.uk/) - everything from yoga and crafting to more 'traditional' nights out such as pub quizzes, retro nights, gin and jazz etc. So I found that you can definitely have a great night out if that's your jam - and can also find plenty of more chilled daytime activities if you need to work around work, family etc.

There's also nothing to stop you getting involved in undergraduate clubs and societies during your MA year. Whilst we have the KPA at Keele, postgraduate are still a member of Keele SU so can get involved in all their club nights and all their societies too. I had a great time being part of a couple of societies related to my hobbies and interests during my MA year and went to a range of different daytime and evening events as part of that.

Amy Louise :smile:

Reply 3

Arden University

17

Original post by LivvyJ

Hi! I’m currently in my second year of an undergraduate sociology degree, and considering applying for a masters in either social research or criminology. However, I was wondering what the social life would be like, as I enjoy a good night out, would it be mostly older people who were working full time etc????

@LivvyJ
I got a 1st in Sociology and then had a break from studying and then went on to do an MSc in Psychology at Arden eight years later.

It really does depend on what you are looking for when doing a Masters. if you are going straight into it from your degree, a lot of students will probably follow you from your degree course. I absolutely love post graduate study as I felt like my good degree gave me confidence to just relax and took the pressure off a lot more.

What I would say is that sociology/criminology degree's on their own, aren't the most employable degree's in the world so maybe doing something like a social work masters or PGCE (the latter of which I did) would give you more employment opportunities. Have you thought about doing a Psychology conversion course? There is a cracking one which I am just finishing studying now https://arden.ac.uk/our-courses/postgraduate/masters/msc-psychology-bps

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Reply 4

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

16

Original post by LivvyJ

Hi! I’m currently in my second year of an undergraduate sociology degree, and considering applying for a masters in either social research or criminology. However, I was wondering what the social life would be like, as I enjoy a good night out, would it be mostly older people who were working full time etc????

Hey @LivvyJ!

I'm currently on my masters course at the University of Kent, so hopefully I can give you some insight into the social life for masters students!
Ultimately, we are all still students, and therefore love a night out! Many students go onto a masters straight from their undergraduate so many of your course mates will be 21-23 years old. Even people on your course who are older will want to let loose now and again, and it's a great opportunity for them to get to know everyone better. It helps that we've got some great bars on campus like K-Bar, and even a club there too - and more in the city itself!

I love the University of Kent due to their wide variety of societies, and as a postgraduate student you have access to participate in them all - that's over 250 to choose from! From rugby, to e-sports, and baking to Harry Potter - that's one for everyone, and you can be apart of as many as you'd like. Being a part of a society means being able to attend society events like nights out, movie watching, baking and more. It's a great way to socialise and meet new people that you might not otherwise find on your course.

Here's a link to Kent's Sociology MA course which can give you some more insight into the course and what it would be like to study here. It's an incredible course in the school of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research which was ranked as 2nd for research power in the UK by the Research Excellence Framework, and 3rd for research intensity. The University of Kent even consider applicants who achieve a 2:2 award in their undergraduate, with a a flexible approach to admissions whereby considering each student and their personal circumstances.

I hope this has helped, and feel free to ask any more questions! :biggrin:

- Nathan
UKC Rep

What is the social side like for masters students?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you