Switching to a Master's at another university after Bachelor's
Hello,
I was hoping for some guidance on an issue I'm facing. I have just finished my 2nd year of uni (Computer Science), and have to decide now whether I want to switch to our Master's course (integrated) or not. If I'm honest, I would like to do my Master's at a better university.
My current university is good, and so the only "better" courses are at universities with quite high entry requirements and low acceptance rates. I have no idea of my chances with applications, though if I choose to apply I will try to maximise my chances.
My university does not allow me to switch back to the BSc during the 3rd year if I do choose to switch, since the course changes slightly depending on the route taken. So, it seems I have to decide whether I want to take the risk, stay on the BSc and apply elsewhere, or to switch and stay on the Master's course. I am not against studying here, I just would rather go elsewhere. I suppose there is also a more complicated option: switch to the Master's here, but also apply for Master's courses elsewhere. My concern is that if I did get an offer from another university after starting the 3rd year of the Master's, I can't revert to a BSc at my current institution. I'm not sure what would happen if I left the integrated Master's after successfully completing the 3rd year - would I get any kind of exit award like a BSc, or would I leave with nothing, potentially complicating admission to the other Master's?
Has anyone else faced this kind of decision? I'm particularly interested in:
1. How you weighed up the security of an integrated Master's vs. the ambition of applying to more competitive standalone Master's programmes?
2. If anyone chose to switch to an integrated Master's and then applied elsewhere - how did that work out, especially if you got an offer?
3. Any general advice on navigating this, or insights into how difficult it is to get into higher/top-tier Master's programmes in CS?
I'm leaning towards wanting to apply elsewhere but am worried about the "all or nothing" feel if I stay BSc vs the "stuck" feeling if I go for Master's and then can't easily take an external offer.
Thanks for any advice or shared experiences!
I was hoping for some guidance on an issue I'm facing. I have just finished my 2nd year of uni (Computer Science), and have to decide now whether I want to switch to our Master's course (integrated) or not. If I'm honest, I would like to do my Master's at a better university.
My current university is good, and so the only "better" courses are at universities with quite high entry requirements and low acceptance rates. I have no idea of my chances with applications, though if I choose to apply I will try to maximise my chances.
My university does not allow me to switch back to the BSc during the 3rd year if I do choose to switch, since the course changes slightly depending on the route taken. So, it seems I have to decide whether I want to take the risk, stay on the BSc and apply elsewhere, or to switch and stay on the Master's course. I am not against studying here, I just would rather go elsewhere. I suppose there is also a more complicated option: switch to the Master's here, but also apply for Master's courses elsewhere. My concern is that if I did get an offer from another university after starting the 3rd year of the Master's, I can't revert to a BSc at my current institution. I'm not sure what would happen if I left the integrated Master's after successfully completing the 3rd year - would I get any kind of exit award like a BSc, or would I leave with nothing, potentially complicating admission to the other Master's?
Has anyone else faced this kind of decision? I'm particularly interested in:
1. How you weighed up the security of an integrated Master's vs. the ambition of applying to more competitive standalone Master's programmes?
2. If anyone chose to switch to an integrated Master's and then applied elsewhere - how did that work out, especially if you got an offer?
3. Any general advice on navigating this, or insights into how difficult it is to get into higher/top-tier Master's programmes in CS?
I'm leaning towards wanting to apply elsewhere but am worried about the "all or nothing" feel if I stay BSc vs the "stuck" feeling if I go for Master's and then can't easily take an external offer.
Thanks for any advice or shared experiences!
You’re incredibly late to apply to transfer universities. Have you looked to see if the universities and courses that you’re interested in are open to applications on UCAS still (and if they are whether they accept applications for year 3 entry)?
No integrated masters degree will accept transfers into year 4
No integrated masters degree will accept transfers into year 4
(edited 9 months ago)
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