Should I do another degree or a postgrad?

Question

I am in my third year of study and am heading for a 2:2 (down to bad attendance etc in my second year). I am completely panicking about having to enter the real world (!) and up until now have been looking into postgrad courses. I have found one I am interested in, in both a PGCert and MA levels, which would keep me in education for one more year and living with my current (2nd yr) housemates for the same time. However, I increasingly want to do another undergrad degree in order to give me THREE more years at uni.. I feel like I really didn't make the most of it the first time round and I want to do it over again so that I can actually look back on uni and feel like it was worth it. Of course, then my (pessimistic) worry is that I would fail to make many friends this time too, especially as I'd be living offcampus in my first year. The money is also a big factor. Time is running out to make applications etc so I really need to make a decision - help me!

Answer 1

The decision is yours. It seems as if you may believe that life goes on forever. Eventually you shall have to face the real world unless you get an academic job as either a tutor or lecturer and stay at university all your adult life. That is if you plan on eventually doing a Phd. University is an artificial environment, some would say bureaucracy driven by market forces. You seem worried about making a decision, however the time and money factor will eventually make it for you if you don't make it yourself. No one can really decide whats best for you, accept you. A lot of people out there have never even had half the chance to study at undergraduate level,..so never mind poncing around with the privileged rich kids on a whim of will I or wont I.?... They won't even remeber you at around exam time, if you havnt done any work by then. Friends are important, especially the ones you may live with off campus, but its really everyone for themselves at university, believe me.!
. Personally, I'd take the MA course, for one more year and really make the most of it. By then you will have post grad qualifications and depending upon, what you major in, get some type of sustainable job. Universities are supposed to tailor the contents of most degrees to the needs of the employer's market. Initially,some employers believe that university graduates, come ready with problem solving skills and an ability to do,.. guess what? Yes make decisions. The choice is yours.

Source(s):

Several degrees,and diplomas from the 'school of hard knocks'.

Sign in to vote!

Answer 2

I'm currently doing a Masters in Law at University of Leeds and this is an INTENSE course. Given your history and the fact you're heading toward a 2:2 (most universities require 2:1 or higher for masters courses) I would suggest a bachelors degree. I would advise you against the masters as this level of study is not for the faint hearted it requires intense concentration and dedication to study, neither of which you seem to have. Your motivation for study is based upon avoiding the 'real world' and not dedication to developing a field of study at a higher level.

Hope this helps

Source(s):

LLB Law Graduate and LLM student

Sign in to vote!