I'm doing an MA and have managed to blag some money from the uni to do some research assistant work which is quite good really.

Haven't started yet though!

Hey,

I'm doing an MA and I was lucky enough to get a scholarship directly from university to cover tuition fees. My university did have a few scholarship options available that weren't just for international students or "hardship grants" which I wouldn't have been eligable for. It would be worth speaking to the student services department (or your faculty directly) to see if there is something available.

My friend is doing the same course as me but was unable to secure any funding from the university. She went to a bank directly and got a loan. I think it was a career development loan actually. We're both doing the MA full time but my friend also works part time to support herself. Obviously different people have different circumstances but I agree with Alice that there are worse things to be in debt from.

Whatever you do just make this year count. (This is something I'm telling myself everyday!) It'll all be worth it when you have that extra qualification that makes you stand out.

All the best

Hi Taramarie,

I'm doing an MA in an Arts subject and I see my tutor extremely regularly. (At least once a fortnight). However my supervisor is responsible for the whole of my MA (which is an independent study) so we don't just meet to talk dissertation. We usually talk for 30 mins but on occasions have talked for a lot longer than this! I do think a supervisor like mine is rare though from what I've heard. I think if your dissertation is due in 5 months you should contact him as soon as possible to arrange a meeting so that you can talk through your ideas and where you're going with it.

A tutor's role and input varies between institutions and departments. When meeting with my tutor I usually talk through my ideas or read him some of my writing. If I'm organised enough :p I'll send him some stuff in advance to look at. He then talks through how I'm doing and offers suggestions on what to include. He points me towards resources I need and is generally extremely helpful. However, I did my BA undergrad degree at the same institution and consequently have built up a good rapport with my supervisor. Which may explain why he's so helpful.

How well do you know your supervisor? Have you had any previous experience of him supervising you on anything?

spell

Oh 'It's wonderful life' is such a good film!

wait

swoon

Congratulations!

Good Christmas present aye? (up)

I think I may have just given Stressed a star....

I clicked on the 'helpful user' on the thread I started and then you had a star.

You were helpful!

Thanks so much, all your comments have been really helpful.

:-)

Thanks for your reponses. Most helpful ;-)

I'm not far into my MA and don't really know what the next move is yet anyway so we'll wait and see. It's just good to get an idea of what people think.

stamp

Well done Stressed! :-)

At the rate I'm going I probably won't even pass mine!

Hi all,

I don't usually use forums so this is a bit scary! I've recently started an MA and would like to do a PhD at some point in the future (probably sooner rather than later). I'm doing my MA at the university where I did my undergraduate degree which I completed this summer.

I'm just exploring possibilities at the moment but wanted to have some opinions on studying at the same university for BA, MA and PhD. Is that a wise move or does it look really bad? I know that I don't want to study too far from where I am living now, and my university does have research interests in the area I'd be exploring. My tutor is also a living legend who knows me and challenges me with my work and the thought of having a new supervisor whom I don't know sounds a bit risky. However, part of me thinks it would look really bad to any potential employers if I have three degrees from the same institution.

Any advice?