For very mature students: how do we get a reference when half of the staff are dead

13

Hi - According to UCL they can get a script from registry for my degrees there. The problem is when they ask (say from a proper course or a prospective agency) for an "academic reference". My former tutors and lecturers and professors have gone to the Great Amphitheatre in the sky, and the rest if alive are not reachable - retired, they don't want to know what went on 20 years ago. Don't blame them. Go and translate this situation to the 12 year olds who run course admin and admission.

Reply 1

PG Study Chester

11

Original post

by Voxdei

Hi - According to UCL they can get a script from registry for my degrees there. The problem is when they ask (say from a proper course or a prospective agency) for an "academic reference". My former tutors and lecturers and professors have gone to the Great Amphitheatre in the sky, and the rest if alive are not reachable - retired, they don't want to know what went on 20 years ago. Don't blame them. Go and translate this situation to the 12 year olds who run course admin and admission.

Hi @Voxdei

I had this same problem when I applied to do my Masters at Chester - but don't worry I'm sure it's a really common problem that students encounter and universities are well used to. I contacted the postgrad admissions department in Chester prior to putting in my application to find out what they would accept if I wasn't able to provide an academic referee.

If it doesn't say in the 'small print' anywhere in the information you have from the university, I would suggest trying the admissions department or the department that you are applying to study with. They should be able to give you an indication of what you should do.

I hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please ask!
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Reply 2

StriderHort

21

For me these conversations just seemed a matter of repetition

"You need to provide this information from your school"
"I don't have access to it, this was 30 years ago"
"You need to provide this information from your school"
"I don't have access to it, this was 30 years ago"
"You need to provide this information from your school"
"I don't have access to it, this was 30 years ago"
"Ok that's fair enough that's a long time"

Reply 3

beaten-papaya

6

Specifically for references, I didn't see a Uni that didn't have a time limit on the acceptability of Level 3/4 qualifications. So if you're last HE qual is more then 5/7/10 years old, you'd need another one.

Which would also assist with getting more recent references.

If that isn't an issue for you, then I second the suggestion to just talk directly to admissions.

Reply 4

FourLeggedFriend

10

Original post

by beaten-papaya

Specifically for references, I didn't see a Uni that didn't have a time limit on the acceptability of Level 3/4 qualifications. So if you're last HE qual is more then 5/7/10 years old, you'd need another one.
Which would also assist with getting more recent references.
If that isn't an issue for you, then I second the suggestion to just talk directly to admissions.

Lots of Masters courses will accept equivalent professional experience in a relevant field if HE requirements aren't met.

OP, I would just email admissions with your specific issues. Your former university may have an easy solution for this. My last academic reference (accepted by an RG) was generated by Student Services and signed by the Director of the university department/school rather than an individual academic. As it has been a long while, your old uni obviously can't comment on your personal qualities, but how relevant are they anyway, when they relate to 'you' 20 years ago. The most important element is the academic attainment, knowledge and skills and relevance to your onward study.

Reply 5

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

22

I mean, usually there's an expectation that for mature students to have undertaken some recent academic study within 3 years of applying to the course and they would probably expect your reference to be from that recent study, as they would be far better qualified to discuss your current academic potential and ability than a teacher from many many years ago.

Reply 6

Voxdei

OP

13

Original post

by artful_lounger

I mean, usually there's an expectation that for mature students to have undertaken some recent academic study within 3 years of applying to the course and they would probably expect your reference to be from that recent study, as they would be far better qualified to discuss your current academic potential and ability than a teacher from many many years ago.

No, I have solid degrees from the past, and not the rubbish they do these days (except Oxford) that passes for degrees in language study. Shocking to see the rubbish they do for Spanish at UCL for example. Do you trade your granny's solid mahogany table for a formica table? No.

Reply 7

Voxdei

OP

13

Original post

by FourLeggedFriend

Lots of Masters courses will accept equivalent professional experience in a relevant field if HE requirements aren't met.
OP, I would just email admissions with your specific issues. Your former university may have an easy solution for this. My last academic reference (accepted by an RG) was generated by Student Services and signed by the Director of the university department/school rather than an individual academic. As it has been a long while, your old uni obviously can't comment on your personal qualities, but how relevant are they anyway, when they relate to 'you' 20 years ago. The most important element is the academic attainment, knowledge and skills and relevance to your onward study.

Yep - I shall use an old reference (in paper) from 20 years ago. This is as far as I am prepared to play the game.

Reply 8

StriderHort

21

Original post

by Voxdei

Idiot - I am 63. My school does not exist anymore.

You have completely misunderstood what I said, to the point of embarrassing yourself tbh.

But I'll try again, I'm telling you that when people mindlessly ask you for documents from decades ago/places that no longer exist, that you often have to give the same 'I can't do that' answer several times and suddenly they will magically understand. I've had to go through near the exact same as a mature student.

For very mature students: how do we get a reference when half of the staff are dead

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated