Postgraduate Study: Advice from the Experts
1. A Range of Different Modes of Study
The methods of studying for doctorates have been changing quite rapidly as institutions are adapting to market conditions to fill their places. More and more students are approaching doctoral study in what we might regard as non-traditional modes. These include part-time, distance or by e learning (or by a combination of these). Whilst we can differentiate in this way, what we are really discussing is a mode other than full-time mode. It is also possible to combine full time and these other modes during the course of study. After all, most full-time students spend their final period before submission in some form of part-time, at a distance, study.
Again, which method you adopt will, in part, depend on your own circumstances and what institutions have available? You will find that many institutions and some disciplines find it difficult to accommodate part-time study (indeed some countries do not offer part-time study at all at doctoral level). For others it is the main thrust of their research degree delivery.
2. Pros and Cons of Full-time versus Part-time Study
For you as the purchaser of this service you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Set out your own table of pros and cons. But you will want to consider the following.
| |
Full time |
Part-time |
| Pros |
Complete quickly |
Maintain salary and employment rights |
| |
Engage fully in research environment |
Keep feet on ground |
| Cons |
Live on limited income |
May take long time to complete |
| |
Lose 3+ years of pension rights |
Is additional to normal work |
| |
Lose touch with the world |
Personal stress |
Howard Green and Stuart Powell (see contributors) November 2006
hazel | 28 Sep 2007 - 15:03 |
I have found it very frustrating that art-time study is not funded because it is simply assmed that all those wishing to study p/t do so because they have a job. Th seems to be one pigeon-hole for all.
I am trying to study part-time to find a job. My course is post-graduate. I fall out of all funding categories. All charity funding is for younger students ( Im am in my 40s) - I wish to study because I have a young family and full-time study is not possible. I have to get up at 4.30 in the morning to do my reading - I also did this last year when I had enough cash to pay for myself. I don't have the luxury this year. so this year I have no funding and cannot find any. I have been looking since the end of last semester in May! The course has now started. So far I am in class but will be simply asked to leave next week unless funding materialises somehow.
I will gain nothing from the modules I passed last year becasue I cannot complete the degree.
Why is there no voice for those wishing to study part-time because of family commitment or simly those who have no job! This ought to be another category from those who are employed.
This ought to be raised at a higher level.
Does anyone out there have any similar experiences - especially those who found some way to succeed?
Many thanks for any advice.
Hazel
Tufairi Kawawa | 19 Jul 2007 - 21:11 |
MA in Diplomatic Studies is a 1-year course, studied on a Full-Time basis, but I would be resigned to amending my study mode if I got a sponsor who wanted to enter into an arrangement with me; paying my tuition fees and living costs in turn for some work in his/her organization. Otherwise, my most major clamour would be a study grant/scholarship
