Career advice (again)

F

Fab4

Guest
Hi there,


I'm 34 have a Bachelors degree in Business but its only a pass degree. I have been thinking of a change of career (currently in IT and not finding it remotely interesting or challenging) but a lot of the colleges stipulate minimum Honours degree level for nearly all PG and Masters courses.

Is this just a general guideline or is it strictly applied?.

It would seem to be that not gaining an honours degree over 10 years ago is a pretty harsh way of dealing with applications especially as I have 10 years work experience since.

Sometimes I feel this degree is worthless as its only a pass, and I have thought about beginning another primary degree to try and "repair the damage"

Any advice welcome.
 
I'd second what Bob has said, experience counts for a lot. Most PG courses, Masters etc are fairly flexible re entry requirements.

You could also try to upgrade your degree to an honours if you wish with an add-on year. Quicker than starting from scratch.

Also the distance learning option might be worth considering e.g open university etc. Lots of Irish colleges offer PG through distance learning.
 
Bob the slob said:
Speak to the admissions departments, there is always exceptions to the rule.
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I too only got a pass degree in Environmental Science and completed a postgraduate certficate in biomedical science last year (5yrs after graduating), They are nothing remotely like each other! I got accepted due to the area of work i am now in! I hope to complete a masters over the next 2 years in a related discipline. The fact i "only" have a pass degree hasnt hindered me at all as there will always be exceptions to the rule. Read the fine print of the requirements for whatever course you want to do and you'll be surprised at how many will say "honours degree required but entrance may still be given in certain circumstances"!! Dont go rushing into starting another degree until you've explored all avenues for definite!

My postgrad cert was by distance learning with a few weeks of compulsory lab work on site. I think distance learning courses used to have a bit of a mickey mouse reputation years ago..like they werent real courses or something. But my one is recognised as a valid course by many areas i work in now!
 
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Agree with swordshead, you should approach admissions people as they are often flexible unless it's a highly competitve entry course.

If you wanted to upgrage your Pass degree (level 7) you can top-up to an Hons degree (level 8) with the OU as they'll give you credit for your previous degree - give them a call 01 6785399.
 
One more thing...and its just my opinion .. a degree is just a stepping stone/helping hand into (hopefully) employment not a career! Theres no rule saying you have to pursue a career exactly related to the subject you study. It is a reflection of your capacity to study and be disciplined..regardless if its a 1:1 or a pass, a degree is the starting block for as many avenues as you decide you want to go down. Dont limit yourself or put yourself down with what you see as only a pass..a degree in any shape or form is an achievement! You make who you are and what you want to be, not your qualifications!
 
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