UK Masters Degree: Which One Should I Do?

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I've had the dream of getting my Masters Degree in the UK for a few years----most of my friends know this, too;> Living in London last year has lit the spark again in me to get that done. However, there are too many damn choices/schools to make this easy.

I already have a Bachelor of Science (since 1997), mostly with A's and B's. Have always loved the English language, but have no desire to teach hyperactive teens or younger children. Music is my passion, but that's unstable as a career. Therefore, was leaning towards New Media (or Internet Technology) mixed with Business Admin.

So:

1) What schools are best for this?
2) Since I'd be an overseas student, will I have to pay through the nose?
3)Any scholarships available...or is this a pipe dream?
4) Not fond of Math. Does it matter?
5) Can I work as well?

Any assistance would be worth a drink, and....

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 31 July 2003 16:46 (twenty-two years ago)

You can definetely work whilst doing a master's, I only went to classes on two days a week. Don't think the maths will matter.

er, Pete to thread, he'll know about the financial stuff!

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 31 July 2003 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

2) they charge you double if you're international, usually
3) some grants are specific to the institution; others are based in US, like "ye olde foundatione for sending Nicholes to the UK"; there's a great book called "The Graduate School Funding Handbook" that answers a lot of questions
4) no GREs!! woo hoo!!!
5) up to 20 hrs/wk legally

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I of course approve of your idea, it sounds like a winner.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

er, Pete to thread, he'll know about the financial stuff!

Indeed! Advance, Sir Pete! I call thee!

But seriously, I'm just researching schools, at the mo.

Which one did you go to, Jel?

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I of course approve of your idea, it sounds like a winner.

From a future Journalism Master, that means much. I'll be kidnapping you for an occasional drink, and other tips of school survival.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:15 (twenty-two years ago)

er, I went to North London, I studied Mass Communication, wrote my disseration on "online diaries". I don't think North London is ranked that highly, and it might've changed its name recently.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:40 (twenty-two years ago)

it might've changed its name recently.

Is that the new London Metropolitan University?

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:43 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, I think so.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 31 July 2003 17:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I think the charges to overseas students are rather more than double - I think they can be five times as much. I wouldn't think you'd get a Master's in London for much less than five grand, but I might be wrong there. I'll try to remember to ask at work tomorrow - I more or less developed the current student invoicing part of our student fees system, so I have direct access to such info at this one major uni(UCL).

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 31 July 2003 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Skidders, any help will do. In searching today, I've seen some possiblities. But I refuse to shell out cash for a school I won't absolutely love: it costs too much!

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 31 July 2003 22:34 (twenty-two years ago)

5,000.00 GBP = 8,052.31 USD => this is still ridiculously cheap for an MA by US standards.

(This doesn't sound right - did I misunderstand you, Martin?)

― chester (synkro), Thursday, 31 July 2003 22:47 (twenty-two years ago)

My program is £8000.

― Mandee, Thursday, 31 July 2003 22:55 (twenty-two years ago)

But again, had I gone to the graduate school I was accepted to two years ago, I would have shelled out about $20,000 a year for a two year program. I'm much better off getting it done in one year.

― Mandee, Thursday, 31 July 2003 22:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I did my Masters part time. It was three hours a week for two years so work shouldn't be a problem (the instituton I did it at offered it as nightschool).

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 31 July 2003 23:12 (twenty-two years ago)

I know LSE does Mscs in New Media, which apparently are quite popular in terms of no. of applicants. i have no idea how good that particular department is though. the other negative is lse charges quite a bit more than its competitors (around 10k?), and it's not always justified IMO.

on the plus side, it has a v central location, LOADS of international students (its best point), attracts interesting speakers, the students are mainly a good bunch. I graduated from there last yr, and i kinda miss hanging around in the cafe, or popping to chinatown.

― bee, Thursday, 31 July 2003 23:16 (twenty-two years ago)

"Skidders" !!!!!!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 1 August 2003 07:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd be suspicous of a 'New Media' Masters or 'Internet Technology' just from a job prospects point of view, you might as well do Mongolian literature. LSE would be a good choice but I'd pick one of the things its really good at, business, economics, politics, law.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 1 August 2003 08:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm afraid I rather underestimated our charges. Next year's standard Master's charge for overseas students at UCL is £10,700, but some are more expensive, depending on the requirements of the course. That's very high, but I guess still lowish in US terms. UCL is one of the country's top universities, so I'm sure there are slightly cheaper ones.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 1 August 2003 12:20 (twenty-two years ago)

I did a masters in 'voluntary sector organisation' (charity management) at LSE last year. even though it was really expensive, it was only one year, so ended up being cheaper that 2/3 years in the states. i had class two days a week and worked part time.

the best part was making the contacts that mean that i'm still here and got a work permit for it. yay!

― colette (a2lette), Friday, 1 August 2003 12:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, between you won't be looking at much less that £8,000 a year for an overseas student in any UK institution. LSE is generally more expensive, UCL is too as is SOAS - being the premier London University.

1) What schools are best for this?
I would suggest looking at places that have good reps in the business rather than big name colleges (which are a bit lax vis a vis new media). London Met, Greenwich probably have good courses for London. Of course on a money saving tip getting out of London will save you shed loads in rent.

2) Since I'd be an overseas student, will I have to pay through the nose?
See above. Yes-ish.

3)Any scholarships available...or is this a pipe dream?
There are some scholarships but pretty much for the top 2% - and may well be very specific to the University or courses. You would need to apply pretty soon for 2004-2005 to be eligable.

4) Not fond of Math. Does it matter?
Not at all. Only if not fond = absolutely terrible (ie GCSE grade C equivalent = being able to work out 2x+4 = 8).

5) Can I work as well?
Yes, up to 20 hours a week as said above.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 1 August 2003 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

City University has a good reputation for all types of media courses, ask Tracer. See Fulbright commision for details of scolarships/financial aid.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 1 August 2003 13:06 (twenty-two years ago)

But City is very flamable and has a very conservative recruitment policy when it comes to Union general managers.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 1 August 2003 13:26 (twenty-two years ago)

haha

― Ed (dali), Friday, 1 August 2003 13:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Having done a computer degree, I'd say that for web work maths will be pretty unimportant. How bad are you? Good maths skills are generally a good indicator of good programming skills, but it isn't the only such indicator - language skills are about as good a sign. If you're rubbish at languages too, odds are that you might struggle with programming. Depends on the exact nature of the course how much of a problem that would be.

Pete, does SOAS offer new media/web courses? It's not really a proper university, after all...

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 1 August 2003 16:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks for all the advice, so far. This narrows down my searching, at least a bit....but then, choosing the best school for me will take more time.

At least, I can sharpen my focus....

More, please!

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 5 August 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

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