PgD or MSc? on PostgraduateForum.com

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

Hello everyone,

I am currently enrolled in an online MSc in development management t the University of Birmingham.
Well, it has been a tough ride. I only did 2 courses last academic year, and this coming year I'll have 4 courses left, and then a dissertation. The assignments have been tough, as they are all very research based and are essays ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 words (so far). I should mention that I work full time as well.
I wake up at 4 am on weekdays & study all the weekend. It has been time consuming, to find that I only Pass the course.
The thing is: 1, I may not have enough money to carry on to the dissertation phase & 2, It seems so overwhelming, while working full time, and I'm not sure it's worth it. I feel like I want to take instead a course with the open university about exploring cultures and languages, then with the University of Bristol or Shanghai about intercultural communication- instead of putting my money in an MSc.

Should I go for a PgD (which is basically the MSc courses, but without the dissertation), and enjoy doing other courses & visit my university OR put the money I have left into carrying on my MSc?
Also, my ambition is to have a carrier in universities (admissions/student affairs/giving elective courses lectures/ect.)

I'm very torn between both.

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your advice!

K

kikothedog 154 posts
6 years ago

Normally you do postgraduate courses to either go into academics or provide better eduation for a higher paid position in the real world. You have to know what you want for it to be worth the time and effort.

E

eng77 385 posts
6 years ago

hi. I would recommend carrying out the remaining MSc courses and get the degree. I think it will help you having better opportunities.

S

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

I want to work at a university some day. Like, in admissions, or student affairs, or recruitment.
Doesn't a PgD allow me that?

T

TreeofLife 2853 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Stella101:
I want to work at a university some day. Like, in admissions, or student affairs, or recruitment.
Doesn't a PgD allow me that?

You can easily get a job in university administration (professional services) without any postgrad qualifications and work your way up. In fact, most seem to do this.

I would echo eng77 though - get the MSc; a PgD isn't worth the paper its printed on.

S

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

I would echo eng77 though - get the MSc; a PgD isn't worth the paper its printed on.

What's wrong with a PgD? Is it this badly viewed? I mean, it's like a higher level BA, but with a lot of research involved.

T

TreeofLife 2853 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Stella101:

I would echo eng77 though - get the MSc; a PgD isn't worth the paper its printed on.

What's wrong with a PgD? Is it this badly viewed? I mean, it's like a higher level BA, but with a lot of research involved.

It's not really a complete qualification - it's not a degree. Most jobs, if they want qualifications, ask for either a BA, MA or PhD.

rewt 1052 posts
6 years ago

Quote From TreeofLife:
[quote]
It's not really a complete qualification - it's not a degree. Most jobs, if they want qualifications, ask for either a BA, MA or PhD.

Do jobs actually ask for an MA? I never really see jobs that want a masters degree

Stella101: You want a career in university administration and are doing postgraduate study to get one of those jobs. So what qualifications do those jobs require? If they require a full masters do the Msc, if not but want a qualification worth putting on your CV, do an Msc. But if you are doing this to get the most skills and have fun, take the PgD and do another more fun course.

S

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

Hello rewt,
Thank you. I'll discuss this my university career advisor in the coming days, cause missie (me) can't make up her mind! :/ I'll keep you updated.

S

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

It's not really a complete qualification - it's not a degree. Most jobs, if they want qualifications, ask for either a BA, MA or PhD.

Ughhh I had no idea since all universities in the UK count it as a Diploma.. so it is a degree some how. No?

E

eng77 385 posts
6 years ago

It is a postgraduate qualification. But to be honest, the MSc value is much more valuable than PgD. The MSc credit is 1.5 times the PgD but its value is at least 4 times the value of PgD.

C

chantedsnicker 70 posts
6 years ago

Quote From rewt:

Quote From TreeofLife:
[quote]
It's not really a complete qualification - it's not a degree. Most jobs, if they want qualifications, ask for either a BA, MA or PhD.

Do jobs actually ask for an MA? I never really see jobs that want a masters degree

Not quite a MA, but in my experience of public health they want BScs and MScs (and these days PhDs and further professional qualifications). I'd suggest it depends what field you want to go into. But also with a PgD, I'm not sure people outside academia will particularly have heard of it, or if they have, know what it involves.

S

Stella101 8 posts
6 years ago

[/quote]

Not quite a MA, but in my experience of public health they want BScs and MScs (and these days PhDs and further professional qualifications). I'd suggest it depends what field you want to go into. But also with a PgD, I'm not sure people outside academia will particularly have heard of it, or if they have, know what it involves.[/quote]

I'll check that. Thank you.

PgD or MSc?

Post your reply