The Application Process: Deciding on a Masters Programme.

When deciding to do a masters programme, it is important to choose a course that is right for you. We spoke with our students, and asked what they considered to be important when choosing where and what to study. We have compiled a list of things to consider when choosing your masters.

Subject

What subject areas appeal to you the most? This is one of the best ways to decide which MA programmes would suit you. For example, many of our 21st Century Literature students decided on the programme due to an interest in contemporary writing, and wanted to explore this further. Another one of our students, Tabitha, had previously studied theology but found that studying literature was something she enjoyed in her undergraduate degree, and thus decided to explore this further with the English Studies MA.

You must also decide on whether you wish to study on a taught programme , or study a masters by research (MRes) which are more flexible but do not offer taught modules. These options may not be available at all universities, so it is important to research your chosen university and the types of study they offer thoroughly. MRes programmes will require a project proposal as a part of your application. This will take longer to prepare and will need to focus on a particular subject and area of interest. It is important to check that these interests are supported by the department at your chosen university. All universities will differ on their requirements for the proposal but you can find the details for Lincoln’s English MRes here.

University

It is also important to consider the university you’re choosing to study with; do they cater to your research interests? Does the course they offer allow you to focus on your interests or topics you wish to explore further? Do they have the learning resources necessary to support you throughout your study? All of these are important things to consider when choosing an MA programme. If you are unsure, consider visiting the university on an Open Day, getting in touch with admissions or even speaking with current students and alumni to help you make an informed decision.

The timetabling at each university will also differ for taught-MA programmes. Whilst Lincoln currently holds all taught sessions on Wednesdays, other universities will be different in their scheduled contact hours. For Jamie, who is part-time at Lincoln, this was a deciding factor in choosing where to study:

‘As I’m doing my Masters part time, for me it was important to find a course that I could plan other commitments (like work and volunteering) around. A few other universities I messaged delivered classes at totally different times and on various days. Having everything on a Wednesday is really excellent to allow you to fit in other commitments alongside studying. I’m sure this is also beneficial to people doing the course full time as well.’

In addition to this, you should also consider the entry requirements for your chosen university, and make sure that these are manageable. Some universities may be stricter than others when it comes to their entry requirements, so be sure to look into this thoroughly, or ask the admissions department at your chosen universities for more information.

Location

Location can often be a large factor of deciding where to study, particularly at postgraduate level. Postgraduate loans are currently available for up to £10 280*; however, this is a contribution to both your fees and living expenses. Certain universities offer scholarships or alumni discounts to prospective students, helping towards the cost of study. Yet other factors such as the cost of living and accommodation prices may influence your decision. Around 50% of the students from our English Studies and 21st Century Literature programmes commute to the university, and told us that the location of the university was a big deciding factor.

*This may be subject to change, information correct for 2017-18 academic year.

Cost

As previously mentioned, the cost of studying a Masters programme can influence your decision on where to study. Although the Student Finance Company has recently introduced postgraduate loans, many factors exist which you should consider, such as how much of your loan will be taken up by tuition fees, and how much you can expect to spend on living expenses. Many MA students work part-time alongside their studies to help cover their costs, and this is something that many prospective students will need to consider when undertaking postgraduate study.

Some universities, Lincoln included, will offer payment plans to their postgraduate students to help manage the cost of study. This is not the case for all institutions however, and some may expect a larger sum up-front. It is important to check this when applying, and make sure that you are realistically able to fund your study.

Career Prospects

In a more competitive job market, it is important to consider career prospects and how your studies will affect this. Having a masters can set you apart from the crowd when applying for future jobs or postgraduate schemes. However, it is also important to tailor your work experience and study if you have a particular career field in mind. For example, some of our English BA graduates decided to change their focus with a Journalism MA in order to ready themselves for work in that particular field, whilst others chose to take 19th Century Studies, a cross-disciplinary subject, to expand their areas of study.

All of these are important factors to consider when deciding where to study. For further information on the application process, see our blog posts on Writing Personal Statements and Choosing References and How to Prepare for a Masters Interview.

Further Information:

Have any questions for our current MA students? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

If you’d like more information about applying to study an English Programme at Lincoln you can contact the following for more information:

MA in English Studies and MA in 21st Century Literature

Programme Leader: Rupert Hildyard – rhildyard@lincoln.ac.uk
Admissions Tutor: Renée Ward – rward@lincoln.ac.uk

MA in Creative Writing

Programme Leader: Phil Redpath – predpath@lincoln.ac.uk

Admissions

Find out more about the application process at Lincoln by visiting https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/postgraduateprogrammes/howtoapply/