Masters Degree After Several Years out - Worth it?
Hi all! I graduated with a 2:1 in Psychology, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience back in 2021. Since then, I've worked a few office jobs, but none of them have stuck. My most recent one was great - a remote data analyst - but sadly due to reasons out of my control my team was made redundant, so I'm back on the job market. My jobs post-degree were a bit all over the place, and more for the sake of paying bills than building my career (sales, recruitment, etc).
As I'm looking through supposedly entry-level jobs, I'm seeing so many that require multiple years of specific experience, or require/would like a Masters. I know that this is just a general issue in getting a job, but it has me wondering if a Masters would be worth it. I'd probably be leaning away from Psychology directly, but rather something I have more of an interest in (I do enjoy Psych, but I prefer a more humanities-focus, rather than the numerical side).
I suppose my main questions are:
- Is it worth it, from the perspective of potential jobs, and just the learning/life experience?
- What is the application process like? I'd most likely be moving back in with family to save money, so I'd be looking to do a remote course. I know this limits me, but I cannot finance both a course and accom. As I'm not going in straight from my undergrad, can I still get a student loan?
- Full-time or part-time?
- What is the financial burden like? How have you managed it? I come from a low-income background, so any funding would be from whatever I can save of my redundancy pay, plus whatever I can potentially earn with a part-time job on the side.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any insight. I realise I'm pre-panicking in the wake of being made redundant (I am being paid for the next 2 months, so I do have time) but I'd like to explore all of my options while I have the grace of time! Thanks!
As I'm looking through supposedly entry-level jobs, I'm seeing so many that require multiple years of specific experience, or require/would like a Masters. I know that this is just a general issue in getting a job, but it has me wondering if a Masters would be worth it. I'd probably be leaning away from Psychology directly, but rather something I have more of an interest in (I do enjoy Psych, but I prefer a more humanities-focus, rather than the numerical side).
I suppose my main questions are:
- Is it worth it, from the perspective of potential jobs, and just the learning/life experience?
- What is the application process like? I'd most likely be moving back in with family to save money, so I'd be looking to do a remote course. I know this limits me, but I cannot finance both a course and accom. As I'm not going in straight from my undergrad, can I still get a student loan?
- Full-time or part-time?
- What is the financial burden like? How have you managed it? I come from a low-income background, so any funding would be from whatever I can save of my redundancy pay, plus whatever I can potentially earn with a part-time job on the side.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any insight. I realise I'm pre-panicking in the wake of being made redundant (I am being paid for the next 2 months, so I do have time) but I'd like to explore all of my options while I have the grace of time! Thanks!
Original post by tri0cer0s
Hi all! I graduated with a 2:1 in Psychology, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience back in 2021. Since then, I've worked a few office jobs, but none of them have stuck. My most recent one was great - a remote data analyst - but sadly due to reasons out of my control my team was made redundant, so I'm back on the job market. My jobs post-degree were a bit all over the place, and more for the sake of paying bills than building my career (sales, recruitment, etc).
As I'm looking through supposedly entry-level jobs, I'm seeing so many that require multiple years of specific experience, or require/would like a Masters. I know that this is just a general issue in getting a job, but it has me wondering if a Masters would be worth it. I'd probably be leaning away from Psychology directly, but rather something I have more of an interest in (I do enjoy Psych, but I prefer a more humanities-focus, rather than the numerical side).
I suppose my main questions are:
- Is it worth it, from the perspective of potential jobs, and just the learning/life experience?
- What is the application process like? I'd most likely be moving back in with family to save money, so I'd be looking to do a remote course. I know this limits me, but I cannot finance both a course and accom. As I'm not going in straight from my undergrad, can I still get a student loan?
- Full-time or part-time?
- What is the financial burden like? How have you managed it? I come from a low-income background, so any funding would be from whatever I can save of my redundancy pay, plus whatever I can potentially earn with a part-time job on the side.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any insight. I realise I'm pre-panicking in the wake of being made redundant (I am being paid for the next 2 months, so I do have time) but I'd like to explore all of my options while I have the grace of time! Thanks!
As I'm looking through supposedly entry-level jobs, I'm seeing so many that require multiple years of specific experience, or require/would like a Masters. I know that this is just a general issue in getting a job, but it has me wondering if a Masters would be worth it. I'd probably be leaning away from Psychology directly, but rather something I have more of an interest in (I do enjoy Psych, but I prefer a more humanities-focus, rather than the numerical side).
I suppose my main questions are:
- Is it worth it, from the perspective of potential jobs, and just the learning/life experience?
- What is the application process like? I'd most likely be moving back in with family to save money, so I'd be looking to do a remote course. I know this limits me, but I cannot finance both a course and accom. As I'm not going in straight from my undergrad, can I still get a student loan?
- Full-time or part-time?
- What is the financial burden like? How have you managed it? I come from a low-income background, so any funding would be from whatever I can save of my redundancy pay, plus whatever I can potentially earn with a part-time job on the side.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any insight. I realise I'm pre-panicking in the wake of being made redundant (I am being paid for the next 2 months, so I do have time) but I'd like to explore all of my options while I have the grace of time! Thanks!
you can get student finance.
its always worth trying to improve yourself.
you can get a student loan but it doesn't cover a great deal so might need a part time job. Most unis are full time so you'd need to figure out if it's best to do online or in uni. To me, I think uni would be better as you will be able to see people and get help from teachers and students rather than just cracking on with it remotely. I guess it depends on how well you learn. Worth looking at some unis in the masters degree that you are wanting and see what there requirements are
Original post by Zoe101!
you can get student finance.
its always worth trying to improve yourself.
you can get a student loan but it doesn't cover a great deal so might need a part time job. Most unis are full time so you'd need to figure out if it's best to do online or in uni. To me, I think uni would be better as you will be able to see people and get help from teachers and students rather than just cracking on with it remotely. I guess it depends on how well you learn. Worth looking at some unis in the masters degree that you are wanting and see what there requirements are
its always worth trying to improve yourself.
you can get a student loan but it doesn't cover a great deal so might need a part time job. Most unis are full time so you'd need to figure out if it's best to do online or in uni. To me, I think uni would be better as you will be able to see people and get help from teachers and students rather than just cracking on with it remotely. I guess it depends on how well you learn. Worth looking at some unis in the masters degree that you are wanting and see what there requirements are
Sadly the reason I didn't do a Masters immediately post-undergrad was finance. I figure with a part time job and significantly reduced rent/costs living with my relative, I could just about swing the tuition fees. Remote is something I'm fairly set on, just due to where my relative lives (pretty remote, and I can't drive, so commuting would be very difficult, and would limit my choices to local unis). I've been on a site browsing remote courses, and a fair few of them offer both part and full time.
Hi there, I'm not able to answer most of your questions but I'm in the exact same boat as you! I graduated in 2021 with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences and have had 3-4 jobs since then. I am currently working in recruitment and I am so so miserable but I am also planning to apply to do a full-time masters in Cancer and Therapeutics! The masters is completely online and I'm already living at home so that will hopefully help a lot with finances! Most likely I will find an office/admin part time job whilst I do the masters so I can still get income and study at the same time! I've also applied for student finance to get the full loan but it will only cover the tuition so I can't move out.
It's completely up to you if you wanted full time or part time masters - I'd say if you're worried about finances then may it's better to do the part time masters and a full time job but if you want to get the masters done quickly and be able to dedicate more time to it then a full time masters and part time job works too (which is what I will do!). It is just about what you prioritise more and what works better for your current situation.
Tbh I'm also worried about jobs/prospects after this Masters....My mum was completely against the idea of me doing it and think that work experience matters so much more which I understand but tbh I feel like there are more pros to getting the masters and a lot of jobs I'm seeing that I'd like to progress to such as Scientist roles do ask for a Masters so it is up to you and what you want to do long term but in all fairness if you have the drive to study again and feel strong about it - why not?! It definitely will not be a waste of time and can't hurt your chances! It may be hard to go back into the routine of studying again but if you have the determination and can be disciplined it will be fine!
Again, I'm sorry this may not answer your question but worst case if you're unsure maybe find another job to what you want to do and you can always apply for the master's in another year but if you're strongly considering it, might as well do it now and make the most of it!
It is all up to you for what you decide but maybe there might be a forum for the masters degree you are considering and you can always ask how the students found it or ask any alumni for the uni you're applying for. I had a mutual friend who is did the course I am applying for so I was able to ask loads of questions and she doesn't regret doing it at all!
Best of luck to whatever you decide to do!
It's completely up to you if you wanted full time or part time masters - I'd say if you're worried about finances then may it's better to do the part time masters and a full time job but if you want to get the masters done quickly and be able to dedicate more time to it then a full time masters and part time job works too (which is what I will do!). It is just about what you prioritise more and what works better for your current situation.
Tbh I'm also worried about jobs/prospects after this Masters....My mum was completely against the idea of me doing it and think that work experience matters so much more which I understand but tbh I feel like there are more pros to getting the masters and a lot of jobs I'm seeing that I'd like to progress to such as Scientist roles do ask for a Masters so it is up to you and what you want to do long term but in all fairness if you have the drive to study again and feel strong about it - why not?! It definitely will not be a waste of time and can't hurt your chances! It may be hard to go back into the routine of studying again but if you have the determination and can be disciplined it will be fine!
Again, I'm sorry this may not answer your question but worst case if you're unsure maybe find another job to what you want to do and you can always apply for the master's in another year but if you're strongly considering it, might as well do it now and make the most of it!
It is all up to you for what you decide but maybe there might be a forum for the masters degree you are considering and you can always ask how the students found it or ask any alumni for the uni you're applying for. I had a mutual friend who is did the course I am applying for so I was able to ask loads of questions and she doesn't regret doing it at all!
Best of luck to whatever you decide to do!
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