Degrees

Mine was, I completed it in 12 months studying full time. Although the last 4 months were purely personal study/ dissertation.

I did a BA Hons in Ancient History which I absolutely loved. I loved the course and Uni life and I worked like a maniac in my A-levels and through University so that I only had a 2k loan which I paid off within a year of leaving. I then saved up for my MA and am currently doing that part time. It's in Human Resource Management as that's my job which I also love. I'm finding this one harder as I'm working full time and trying not to let my H feel utterly abandoned but there is never enough time!! However I finish my classes in December and then I just have my dissertation to write for next September and the IM DONE!!!

It remains to be seen if the MA will be worth it financially but I really like studying and found that doing HR at a junior level is completely mind numbing so I have really enjoyed using my brain more. We have been having the kids talk and will be TTC next month to time with the end of my studies. I can't wait to have a family but H is very relaxed about his career and I know he would rather go part time so I won't necessarily have to choose between my kids and my job unless I want to. I like working and don't see that changing and I would hope that the money I have put into my education will be worth it in the end!

? Thanks, I had no idea it was only 180!

And there was me thinking that 180 credits was a lot! Maybe this proves why nursing shouldn't be academic

I'm an anaesthetics trainee. I love the acute side of things and I like a mix of practical and cerebral work so it fits perfectly for me! Also, although our on-calls are probably more hectic than psych, it's still pretty easy to go part-time if I want to. I would love CMT if the medical and nursing staffing levels were about twice what they currently are in the NHS, but as it is I think I would have a nervous breakdown - anaesthetics is much more sensible and you get so much senior support. Shame the exams are a total *** thought!

A regular full time student doing a standard degree (BA) studies 120 credits a year, I've done 160 credits in the last year at night while working full time...it's good to know that only 20more and I could have done a masters, as it makes it sound quite achievable. If course, masters would be at a higher level though so each module would be tougher than what I'm used to.

My MA is 180 credits too. They say you can do it in one year full time. I'm doing it part time (as I have a full time job) so it will take two years.

I was gutted when I found this out as I never knew you could, otherwise I would have tried to convert it within 5 years, now it is too long ago. (though maybe you couldn't convert it when I did my PGCE, I'm not sure)

I didn't know you did Performing Arts VP!?

Not all PGCEs offer masters credits. With mine you either had to pass at level 7 (masters) or fail. H's PGCE they could pass at either level 6 (BSc) or 7 (masters)

I didn't know this - thanks. But I don't remember anyone mentioning levels when I did my PGCE either. We just passed or not. Oh well, irrelevent to me now!

Thank you. I'm going through a rather horrible time at work at the moment, and this has made me smile and be happy for a while. Thanks xxx

I did my undergrad back home in Toronto - BA (Hons) in art history, specialist in Renaissance. I did my M.Litt in London with Christie's Education (University of Glasgow), thoroughly enjoyed it and absolutely loved doing the thesis ('Civil Beasts: Urban Self-Imaging in Late Medieval Italy'). I'm currently re-working it in hopes of publishing. Even though my current job is not tied strictly to what I studied, the skills I gained through school are useful everyday. Meeting deadlines, organisation, RESEARCH! I used my research skills all the time in my current position.

Was it worth it? Well, considering I work in heritage and hope to break into curating, then yes, it definitely is! If I manage to get my thesis published it will open up a lot of opportunities in the museum world, as it's very similar to academia, everyone needs to be published!

Did I enjoy it? Oh god yes. There were times in undergrad that I didn't fare so well; I started out in international relations and quickly realised it just wasn't for me. Art History just clicked for me. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend so much time doing something I love. And now I work in heritage it's all working out. Hopefully my 'foot in the door' at the BM will lead to more exciting things to come

Oh, and I realise I'm very very lucky, but I was able to do both degrees and come out 100% debt free at the end of each. I worked full time while in undergrad to cover living expenses and scholarships covered tuition fees (which were tiny, really), and for my masters I was given a family loan, which was forgiven when I earned distinction in the course. I am so grateful to my family, and I know finances stop a lot of people from getting the education they want.

ETA Every couple months I eye the Courtauld Institute's website and consider applying to do a PhD with them, but I keep having to tell myself I can't do it yet! Get this wedding out of the way and get my UK citizenship first and a couple years working under my belt, and then.. then I can get back to glorious medieval and renaissance sculpture!

I did a law degree - but all theory so pretty useless in terms of my day to day work, but a necessary stepping stone to be a lawyer. My two year training contract was the best way of learning though.

I finised my degree in 04, but think nowadays, you have to do a degree just to compete in the market.