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Want to apply for MA but no academic or professional reference

I'm in my 50s and I'm keen to apply to do an MA in creative writing. It's been over 30 years since I did my (non-humanities) degree and 12 years since I did a diploma in creative writing. I asked the uni what to do if I don't have an academic reference and they've said they might accept a reference from an employer. However, I haven't been in work since lockdown in 2020. I worked evenings as a supervisor, so my boss rarely even saw me.

I've volunteered in the community, but anyone I know through that has become a friend, so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be accepted as a referee.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Surely there must be options for mature students returning to study?

Reply 1

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by BMF

I'm in my 50s and I'm keen to apply to do an MA in creative writing. It's been over 30 years since I did my (non-humanities) degree and 12 years since I did a diploma in creative writing. I asked the uni what to do if I don't have an academic reference and they've said they might accept a reference from an employer. However, I haven't been in work since lockdown in 2020. I worked evenings as a supervisor, so my boss rarely even saw me.
I've volunteered in the community, but anyone I know through that has become a friend, so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be accepted as a referee.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? Surely there must be options for mature students returning to study?

Anyone who's got a posh job title! Is anyone you know 'Chairman of the .....', or a 'Trustee of ............' or anything like that?

Basically, you need to find anyone who has a job title that sounds like it comes with serious obligations, and who can comment on your skills relevant to education. So timekeeping, reliability, if you do any writing for them that would be helpful, meeting deadlines, commitment, long-standing ambition to do this course etc.

You might be surprised how far back people are prepared to give references, so it might be worth reaching out to whoever provided the Diploma.