I have offers to take up Masters programmes from September - something which I would really like to do. However, I am 32, work full time and have the whole mortgage/family etc. I did my degree with the OU, loved it and feel I could go on to "academic" work (i.e. employment), or perhaps a PhD in the future but I have doubts about the advisability of giving up my job to do a Masters and "hoping" that this will turn out to be a good decision. Any thoughts/opinions?

Actually, it may be helpful if I qualify my last post. I have a place on a Politics (research) Masters (ESRC recognised) - hence my saying that some sort of later academic work may be possibile. That is, the course is in the right direction for further research. I am also considering doing the masters for career reasons (and out of interest), but wonder how valuable it would be. The other offer is for Public Service Management - for me, that would be more of a linear "get a better job" kind of thing given that it fits with my current emploment.

Can you do this part-time, alongside your current job? Most Masters and some PhD's can be done part-time, so you will continue to have an income from your job. If your job is related to your research then your employers may be supportive. It will take a bit longer going part-time but you'll have cash. If you maintain your job, then when you get your PhD, promotion will be easier. It's a bit easier when you're older to do this and you keep all your options open.

Thanks James. Yes I've considered the part-time route and in fact the Public Service Management masters is employer sponsored (part-time). The thing is, although I can see some real value, benefits and interest in the Public Service course, everything else aside, I'd prefer to do the Politics course. It is incompatible with my work hours though, so would require a resignation I'm afraid - hence my dilemma surrounding the relative risks involved in these choices (I wish I could do both, each part-time, with a benevolent millionaire supporting me in some guilt free way).