Oxbridge Application for Mature Students
Hello everyone,
I’ve got a question for Oxbridge applicants. I’ve got a PGCE and a 1:1 in English, but I want to go study IR at Cambridge. Although I’m a newly qualified English teacher, I’ve realised that teaching isn’t what I want to do right now - I’d rather go back to uni and complete a master’s in something I have an interest in. I didn’t do well in my A-Levels hence why I ended up doing English through clearing instead of PPE or HSPS, however I managed to come out with a 1st at the end of my undergrad, which is what makes me want to try again.
However, I’m also wondering it’s worth me doing another undergrad rather than a master’s as Human, Social and Political Sciences or PPE at Oxford sounds more appealing since it covers a wider range of areas.
Any advice would be welcome!
Thank you
I’ve got a question for Oxbridge applicants. I’ve got a PGCE and a 1:1 in English, but I want to go study IR at Cambridge. Although I’m a newly qualified English teacher, I’ve realised that teaching isn’t what I want to do right now - I’d rather go back to uni and complete a master’s in something I have an interest in. I didn’t do well in my A-Levels hence why I ended up doing English through clearing instead of PPE or HSPS, however I managed to come out with a 1st at the end of my undergrad, which is what makes me want to try again.
However, I’m also wondering it’s worth me doing another undergrad rather than a master’s as Human, Social and Political Sciences or PPE at Oxford sounds more appealing since it covers a wider range of areas.
Any advice would be welcome!
Thank you
I think the biggest issue is how you're going to pay for such a second degree. You don't get funding from SFE for second degrees except in specific circumstances for specific courses (none of the courses you noted would be eligible for second degree funding). This is also even more complicated for Cambridge as for second degrees for home students they also charge college fees on top of the tuition fees and your usual accommodation etc costs, which are very steep (Oxford I believe does not levy college fees for home students for second degrees).
A masters even with no funding would end up being cheaper in most cases.
A masters even with no funding would end up being cheaper in most cases.
Original post by artful_lounger
I think the biggest issue is how you're going to pay for such a second degree. You don't get funding from SFE for second degrees except in specific circumstances for specific courses (none of the courses you noted would be eligible for second degree funding). This is also even more complicated for Cambridge as for second degrees for home students they also charge college fees on top of the tuition fees and your usual accommodation etc costs, which are very steep (Oxford I believe does not levy college fees for home students for second degrees).
A masters even with no funding would end up being cheaper in most cases.
A masters even with no funding would end up being cheaper in most cases.
You’re right about that - I have saved up enough for 1 year’s worth of tuition fees, however I know that Cambridge offers a scholarship for BAME students which I am, so hopefully I might qualify for the British Bangladeshi scholarship they have going once the IR opens again for applications. Financially speaking, a master’s seems like the better option as SFE have said they can offer a loan for postgraduate study. That being said, I think I’m more headed towards the MSc/MA route now, however the problem which stands is that the course I am applying for is somewhat unrelated to my undergrad. So I don’t really know if this is all a pipe dream tbh
Original post by mielmiel
You’re right about that - I have saved up enough for 1 year’s worth of tuition fees, however I know that Cambridge offers a scholarship for BAME students which I am, so hopefully I might qualify for the British Bangladeshi scholarship they have going once the IR opens again for applications. Financially speaking, a master’s seems like the better option as SFE have said they can offer a loan for postgraduate study. That being said, I think I’m more headed towards the MSc/MA route now, however the problem which stands is that the course I am applying for is somewhat unrelated to my undergrad. So I don’t really know if this is all a pipe dream tbh
To be considered for scholarships at Cambridge as a home fees student as I understand, you need to be eligible for the Cambridge bursary, which is only open to those studying for a first undergraduate degree.
I think a masters degree is certainly plausible but I think if you want to consider a second undergraduate degree you need to do a lot more planning.
As for the masters degree, many don't actually require specific backgrounds so I'd suggest carefully looking at what the actual requirements are.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Anonymous
Hello everyone,
I’ve got a question for Oxbridge applicants. I’ve got a PGCE and a 1:1 in English, but I want to go study IR at Cambridge. Although I’m a newly qualified English teacher, I’ve realised that teaching isn’t what I want to do right now - I’d rather go back to uni and complete a master’s in something I have an interest in. I didn’t do well in my A-Levels hence why I ended up doing English through clearing instead of PPE or HSPS, however I managed to come out with a 1st at the end of my undergrad, which is what makes me want to try again.
However, I’m also wondering it’s worth me doing another undergrad rather than a master’s as Human, Social and Political Sciences or PPE at Oxford sounds more appealing since it covers a wider range of areas.
Any advice would be welcome!
Thank you
I’ve got a question for Oxbridge applicants. I’ve got a PGCE and a 1:1 in English, but I want to go study IR at Cambridge. Although I’m a newly qualified English teacher, I’ve realised that teaching isn’t what I want to do right now - I’d rather go back to uni and complete a master’s in something I have an interest in. I didn’t do well in my A-Levels hence why I ended up doing English through clearing instead of PPE or HSPS, however I managed to come out with a 1st at the end of my undergrad, which is what makes me want to try again.
However, I’m also wondering it’s worth me doing another undergrad rather than a master’s as Human, Social and Political Sciences or PPE at Oxford sounds more appealing since it covers a wider range of areas.
Any advice would be welcome!
Thank you
As a grad from the IR department at Cam, I'm afraid that profile wouldn't make you competitive for either the full time MPhil or the part-time MSt in IR. I suspect Oxford is even more competitive.
Original post by threeportdrift
As a grad from the IR department at Cam, I'm afraid that profile wouldn't make you competitive for either the full time MPhil or the part-time MSt in IR. I suspect Oxford is even more competitive.
I hear that, what do you suggest I should do to make me stand out more?
Original post by mielmiel
You’re right about that - I have saved up enough for 1 year’s worth of tuition fees, however I know that Cambridge offers a scholarship for BAME students which I am, so hopefully I might qualify for the British Bangladeshi scholarship they have going once the IR opens again for applications. Financially speaking, a master’s seems like the better option as SFE have said they can offer a loan for postgraduate study. That being said, I think I’m more headed towards the MSc/MA route now, however the problem which stands is that the course I am applying for is somewhat unrelated to my undergrad. So I don’t really know if this is all a pipe dream tbh
plus tuition fees are higher for those doing a second undergrad degree btw, over £12k/yr, and you have to pay the college fee which is another £10k+ annually. That's all before rent and living costs etc.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by mielmiel
I hear that, what do you suggest I should do to make me stand out more?
The MSt IR is really designed for professionals working related careers who want to get a stronger academic grounding to support a current career, or take it in a different direction. It is full of journalists, economists, authors, military officers, bankers, NGO staff etc. It's relatively unusual to have an undergrad who isn't from one of the top, international IR schools.
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