Anyone done an MSc via distance learning?

I'm currently in the middle of one with the OU. It's damn hard work, motivating yourself, particularly if you are working full time at the same time. A large chunk of how you find the experience will depend on your tutor too. if you have a good one it can really smooth the way.

What's it an MSc in? Some subjects are more suited to distance learning than others.

Ive done modules that would eventually make an MSc. I didnt really enjoy it tbh.

We had discussion forums, which were really interesting but I struggled with the assignments. You dont realsie how hard it is to do an assignment without bouncing ideas off someone until you cant. You werent supposed to discuss the questions on the forum so you couldnt even say "i've interpreted it like this, what have you done?"

Its in Events Management, which is a natural extention of my degree (Business & Marketing) and would help me to progress to my ultimate job of Events Director. Currently I do event and conference management as part of my role but it isn't my core task.

I guess I am concerened that I wouldn't be able to dedicate the time to the learning that would be needed, as I do work full time, 8-6.30.

Would you be able to pursuade work to pay some towards it. After all it will benefit them in the long run?

Finding the time is definitely a large part of doing a distance learning course, and depends on your studying style. I managed to convince work to let me do a 9-day fortnight (so all my usual hours, just in 9 long days) as I work better in long stretches, rather than a couple of hours each evening. But from January to September I didn't really have a weekend off.

And as Gingey WIfe said, you can feel pretty isolated doing assignments. I used to bounce ideas of my husband, but often felt when i handed my assignments in that I may have got completely the wrong end of the stick. I should have been able to clarify that sort of thing with my tutor, but my last one was a bit rubbish. As it turned out I generally had the right idea though, but it didn't help with that feeling of dread as you hand it in, thinking you may have just wasted a huge amount of time and effort barking up the wrong tree. ?

Well perhaps not ....as if I managed to get through it I would be looking for it to help me leave here and get a role that was more dedicated to Events.! ?

I really want to do an MSc in Psychological Research Methods once I've finished my degree and that's going to cost me approx. £4k so I feel your pain!

Have you looked at career development loans? My OH got one for the psych course he's just finishing and hopes to get another one for his next course which starts in October. Don't really know much about them but it might be worth a look?

I think the thing with distance learning is that you have to be motivated, remember to use your tutor and try and get to all the tutorials as they really are invaluable.

Thanks everyone!?