Hi everyone,

Following my last post about not having an ESRC recognised masters, I’ve been deliberating over my options for further study. My current choices are between an ESRC recognised MRes or a part-time PhD in criminology or related area. I’m uncertain as to the best option for the following reasons:

1) I’d have to do the MRes part-time as I can’t afford to do it fully funded. I’d also have no option but to start it in September 2011 as the tuition fees are going to go up to ridiculous amounts the year after. I’ll already have an MA by that time and, due to the uncertain future of the ESRC, am wondering whether studying for another two years for a very similar qualification will be worth it?


2) The PhD would have to be completed part-time because I couldn’t afford to do it full-time. I was also unsure as to whether the lack of an ESRC MA would reduce my prospects further down the line? The university say that I don’t need an ESRC masters if I’m not seeking funding, but I’m still a bit unsure. I also feel a bit under the cosh with this option because of the proposed tuition fee rises that, put simply, I won't be able to afford after 2011.

I’m not in a job that is relevant to the field, but it does pay enough for me to be able to afford the current part-time tuition fees. I do a lot of relevant work and research for the voluntary sector, meaning that if I do any of these options I will have very little professional work experience.

All in all I genuinely don’t know what the best course of action would be. I would love to go into research but the majority of vacancies seem to require the completion of a PhD.

Any help would be very much appreciated as I’ve been looking into this for weeks and I’m none the wiser and probably a little more uncertain than when I started!

Thanks very much :-)

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the great replies, it's nice to know that it's not just me! I'm going to finish this MA and then start a verified one the year after this one. It's going to be draining but I think it'll be worth it in the long run. 

Thanks again to all of you, your help and advice has been invaluable in helping me make an informed decision.

It is very much appreciated :)

Hi Bleebles,

Yeah, I'm afraid so. An institution can have many different courses, but only a selection with certified status.

Thanks for your reply!

Hi Eska,
Thanks for your reply. I think you’re right, sometimes you just have to accept the circumstances and get on with it. I’m going to study an ESRC masters after this one and then carry on from there. Thanks for your advice, it’s helped make my decision.

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about this for ages and haven't been able to come to a good enough conclusion on my lonesome. I therefore decided to consult the good people of this forum because they seem to give very good advice! I've been reading loads of posts for quite a while now but this is the first time I've put anything up so please bear with me...

Having studied at a 'post 92' uni and gaining a first in Criminology I then chose to stay on at the said institution and study for a part-time MA in International Criminal Justice. Half-way through this masters I was told that it wasn't ESRC verified (I know, I should have known all about this in the first place) so now will most likely have to study another ESRC masters if I want to do my PhD. I constantly feel like I'm having to prove myself against students from not only older/red-brick institutions, but also from courses that are ESRC verified.

I just want to know whether anyone else has experienced this constant feeling of inferiority or whether it's just me?

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated! :)