All the cool kids are doing it!

[All Systems Go]

In this thread I shall be requesting information in order to progress with my desire to emulate several key GD posters and therefore ensure my progression to l33tness.

I have already mastered the skills of emoism and self-deprication but now I have to face two tasks which require human interaction, a very dangerous task indeed.

the first of these tasks sees me looking to extend my education by at least another year and to this end I am looking to study for a Masters in politics.

the second of these tasks will see me move to London.

therefore, to kill two birds with one stone I have decided to move to London to go to university, straight away that gets me some l33t points.

After some consultation (<3 t&f) I have decided I want study for an Mres.

I have a 2:2 in history from the university of Wales, Swansea.

this is the part of the thread where I place all of my questions (well, the ones I can remember atm) which I need answering.

Can you recommend some universities which may be suitable for my needs?

to those who have studied to this level, do you think it's better to live in student accomidation or to live with some students in a house or whatever?

Well, that's pretty much it I think. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Mistwraith]

The only cool thing you can do in life is think for yourself :-)

to those who have studied to this level, do you think it's better to live in student accomidation or to live with some students in a house or whatever?

how much crap .. i mean usefull stuff do u want to download and how good are you are battling firewalls ?

if the answers to that are lots and really bad, live in outside rented accomodation.

[All Systems Go]

Originally Posted by Mistwraith

The only cool thing you can do in life is think for yourself :-)




how much crap .. i mean usefull stuff do u want to download and how good are you are battling firewalls ?

if the answers to that are lots and really bad, live in outside rented accomodation.

I didn't even think about that.

I will want to downlaod a lot and I am very bad at fighting firewalls, though I'm sure could get some good advice on the issue.

[Yahwe]

university of westminster
goldsmith college
st marys

etc.

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

to those who have studied to this level, do you think it's better to live in student accomidation or to live with some students in a house or whatever?

If you are going to take this seriously, I do not imagine this would matter that much. Are you just doing this to avoid working for a year, or do you genuinely want to study politics? What is your specialist area (or what do you want it to be, even vaguely)?

There are numerous places where you can study Politics at Masters level in London, although your 2:2 may hinder you slightly. If you interview adequately it may be OK though. Anyway, I would find an institution (so long it can adequately support your interest(s)) and then worry about what sort of accomodation you'll go for.

I would also try to seriously ensure you can really afford all of this. I'm sure you're well aware, but even ignoring tuition fees and the like, London is not the cheapest of cities in terms of accomodation. One of the reasons I dropped out of my first attempt at a Masters (other than the fact it was a carbon copy of my undergrad) was because of the cost, and I was working at the time (albeit at dreadfully low pay).

[All Systems Go]

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

If you are going to take this seriously, I do not imagine this would matter that much.

I'm just trying to have my bases covered and avoid any unnecessary hassle or stress. take Mistwraith's point for example. I had not even thought of that issue and I download a lot so it is rather important to me, not necessarily in a study orientated manner but I can get worked up rather easily over nothing so checking that out will minimise one ara of stress.

Not really knowing anyone there I also want to make sure I have an oppertunity to make some friends, otherwise it will be a boring year. I'm unsure what most graduates do in regards to the whole private Vs. student accomidation issue.

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

Are you just doing this to avoid working for a year, or do you genuinely want to study politics?

Until a couple of weeks ago I was officially long-term unemployed then they made me sign off becuase I was supposed to work for 25 hours one week, although in the end I only worked 10. I have no trouble not working I can't even get a job working in telesales. I genuinely don't know why this is and I have genuinely been trying.

I genuinely want to study politics. I really should have studied it for my undergraduate degree.

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

What is your specialist area (or what do you want it to be, even vaguely)?

I'd like to take an international view of things (rather than focusing exclusively on the EU, for example). this seems like agood course although I'm unsure about studying in the evenings.

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

There are numerous places where you can study Politics at Masters level in London, although your 2:2 may hinder you slightly.

I had considered that but I shall be looking into ways to counteract that if necessary (i.e. a uni appointed piece of work to complete as a test) and possible.

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

If you interview adequately it may be OK though. Anyway, I would find an institution (so long it can adequately support your interest(s)) and then worry about what sort of accomodation you'll go for.

Don't worry I shall be making a thread regarding interviewing when it gets closer to the time. I'm not sure if it's the same as a job interview, but if it is then I will need all the help I can get.

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

I would also try to seriously ensure you can really afford all of this. I'm sure you're well aware, but even ignoring tuition fees and the like, London is not the cheapest of cities in terms of accomodation. One of the reasons I dropped out of my first attempt at a Masters (other than the fact it was a carbon copy of my undergrad) was because of the cost, and I was working at the time (albeit at dreadfully low pay).

I shall be looking for student loans and potential money off the Welsh Assembly tomorrow to help with that. I shall be looking to get a job there to help cover the costs and if I can break my curse and get a job around here I hope to have some money saved up before I move down, at the last possible moment.

[Tomkat]

Your best bet in terms of cheapish accommodation is probably to lodge/rent with foreign students. On the upside, it's likely to be nice and cheap. On the downside, you might not want to socialise in the same circles/places as them.

I've linked it before, and I'll link it again: http://www.gumtree.com is awesome.

[KoeN]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

to those who have studied to this level, do you think it's better to live in student accomidation or to live with some students in a house or whatever?

this year i started with a masters in Eindhoven. the first half year i stayed in some house of a fanatic dispute. it was good fun but they never cleaned the house, made a lot of noise from 7am till 4am (shit club/dance/hardstyle music). friends of another house once came stumbling in my room at 5am, drunk as ****, asking if i knew if the food in the fridge was still eatable. the next day we did take revenge by wiping our butts with their pillow-sheets and placing a christmastree in their toilet, but it was still shit.

now i live with a studymate (the only guy who does the same study fulltime). he's very calm, has a calm girlfriend and actually cleans things. we have a full house just for the two of us, so that's pretty ace. i pay the same as for my old room: 275 euros a month (all incl), but now it's incl internet too.

if i were you i'd try to find a similar thing; move in with a studymate, someone you can get along with and has some common sense.
living with partypeople is good fun at the first years maybe, but definitely not if you want to book (quick) results.

[Hebdomad]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

to those who have studied to this level, do you think it's better to live in student accomidation or to live with some students in a house or whatever?

If you want a quiet year move into a house and specify you want to move in with post-grads. If you want a frantic year, constant parties, etc and you want to meet lots of first-year students move into halls; although your university may have a hall for post-grads - find out.

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

I had considered that but I shall be looking into ways to counteract that if necessary (i.e. a uni appointed piece of work to complete as a test) and possible.

Well, I got a 2:2 in my undergrad (go go slipping from an anticipated first in 12 months) and I was accepted to both courses I applied to. They did both ask why I had got a 2:2 though, the first I said I had spent quite a bit of time out of the country which disrupted my studies (which was true), the second I said I didn't really care (which was also true).

I think there was some kind of essay for both applications though, although I can't remember now.

[All Systems Go]

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

Well, I got a 2:2 in my undergrad (go go slipping from an anticipated first in 12 months) and I was accepted to both courses I applied to. They did both ask why I had got a 2:2 though, the first I said I had spent quite a bit of time out of the country which disrupted my studies (which was true), the second I said I didn't really care (which was also true).

I think there was some kind of essay for both applications though, although I can't remember now.

Out of interest, which universities were they?

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

Out of interest, which universities were they?

Birkbeck (I was studying in the evening) and the LSE.

[KaneED]

Those Birkbeck modules look rubbish

It depends on what you want to study though I suppose. Since I'm doing what you wanted to do at undergraduate level I have some questions for you.

What area do you want to study? To me there are 3 main areas: political theory, policy studies, security. The last 2 are very closely linked but differ enormously in terms of what you study.

i'd say more but i lost my train of thought a while ago


also global governance is paradox, i don't think you should do a course with a paradoxical name. although international relations could be said to be a paradox too i suppose, international conflict might suffice, although conflict is a type of relation, but we tend to associate a relation as positive rather than negative. global governance however remains a paradox through and through

[QazokRouge5]

While doing graduate school i am finding that responsibility, effort, dedication, and thinking increase, while free time and general freedom decrease.

My point is that you should find an environment that suits your study needs best. You should only think of yourself and what will benefit you. Be selfish.

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by KaneED

Those Birkbeck modules look rubbish

The main problem I found with Birkbeck was that (as stated) it was a repitition of my undergrad program. I presumed it would be on some sort of higher level, but it wasn't. Most of the class hadn't studied politics before, and so it was just Pol 101.

Therefore the only amusement was mainly T&F falling asleep for half the lesson and then abruptly waking up to start some obscure heckle against the lecturer.

[Mistwraith]

I know .. telesales, cleaners, packing jobs, now prefer people with experience, how sad is that, in my day they were the i'm broke, need money quick instant get jobs :-(

[dda]

When WAS your day?