The Student Room Group

MSc @ 40

Good Afternoon All,

Little bit about me before I ask my question, I am an Engineer to trade (15 years) and for the previous 3 years been an Engineering Manager. One of my current employers essential criteria for the next progression is a degree. I have not been in HE for 15 years which was only at college level to obtain my HNC. I had enquired about a funded degree through my employer which they generously agreed too and after presenting them with a few options they decided to allow me to do a 2 years MSc in Engineering Management. I had presented BSc options however the modules were not as well suited.

I am concerned I am perhaps taking on too much, time wise I am pretty confident I can manage but I cant quite fathom if the university I was applying to who were confident with my work experience I would be a suitable candidate were perhaps more interested in just filling another place on the course.

Does anyone else have any experience of doing an MSc after being out of HE for an extensive amount of time, how did they find it? am I overthinking the situation? This seemed like a great place to hear some opinions.

Reply 1

Original post by andytech
Good Afternoon All,
Little bit about me before I ask my question, I am an Engineer to trade (15 years) and for the previous 3 years been an Engineering Manager. One of my current employers essential criteria for the next progression is a degree. I have not been in HE for 15 years which was only at college level to obtain my HNC. I had enquired about a funded degree through my employer which they generously agreed too and after presenting them with a few options they decided to allow me to do a 2 years MSc in Engineering Management. I had presented BSc options however the modules were not as well suited.
I am concerned I am perhaps taking on too much, time wise I am pretty confident I can manage but I cant quite fathom if the university I was applying to who were confident with my work experience I would be a suitable candidate were perhaps more interested in just filling another place on the course.
Does anyone else have any experience of doing an MSc after being out of HE for an extensive amount of time, how did they find it? am I overthinking the situation? This seemed like a great place to hear some opinions.

I find many of the Masters courses are quite competitive and depending on the uni track record they dont usually just give ppl a spot to fill up places.

Have you attended an open day ? Usually there will be current students that you can ask questions about the course or look for online reviews. If the course has good results from past students the uni will want to keep that reputation and ensure that applicants have the potiential to be successful.

You have a huge plus on your side which is your many years of experience in the field and not as if you are doing a totally fresh topic.

Reply 2

Original post by Cammy1982
I find many of the Masters courses are quite competitive and depending on the uni track record they dont usually just give ppl a spot to fill up places.
Have you attended an open day ? Usually there will be current students that you can ask questions about the course or look for online reviews. If the course has good results from past students the uni will want to keep that reputation and ensure that applicants have the potiential to be successful.
You have a huge plus on your side which is your many years of experience in the field and not as if you are doing a totally fresh topic.

Thanks for the reply Cammy.

Its perhaps some imposter syndrome kicking in with nerves.

Reply 3

ive met many older masters students! you should be totally fine

Reply 4

Original post by andytech
Thanks for the reply Cammy.
Its perhaps some imposter syndrome kicking in with nerves.

I certainly understand that, Ive just completed a 5 year Health Science degree with the OU (Im 42) every time I faced something hard I felt a failure and that I shouldnt be there. What I learned was that a difficult task doesnt mean I am stupid, it just means its a challenge and I need to consider how best to face that issue so I can move forwards.
Original post by andytech
Good Afternoon All,
Little bit about me before I ask my question, I am an Engineer to trade (15 years) and for the previous 3 years been an Engineering Manager. One of my current employers essential criteria for the next progression is a degree. I have not been in HE for 15 years which was only at college level to obtain my HNC. I had enquired about a funded degree through my employer which they generously agreed too and after presenting them with a few options they decided to allow me to do a 2 years MSc in Engineering Management. I had presented BSc options however the modules were not as well suited.
I am concerned I am perhaps taking on too much, time wise I am pretty confident I can manage but I cant quite fathom if the university I was applying to who were confident with my work experience I would be a suitable candidate were perhaps more interested in just filling another place on the course.
Does anyone else have any experience of doing an MSc after being out of HE for an extensive amount of time, how did they find it? am I overthinking the situation? This seemed like a great place to hear some opinions.

You will be fine. You have all the background experience, you are motivated, all you need to do is manage your time and work to a plan. Mature students have usually thought much harder about their reason for study and are better at making and sticking to plans. It's trickier if you've got 4 children under 10 and a high maintenance partner, but if your domestic life is accommodating, then you're all good.

Reply 6

I love this, i needed to read this :smile:

Reply 7

My concern is that my math isn't quite what it once was, as mentioned its been 15 years since being a student and whilst in that time I have been a Mechanical Engineer, really on the day to day complex formulae isn't used. There also has not been much need to write any essays over the last 15 years. Perhaps I am overthinking and letting my anxieties get in the way of a great opportunity.

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