"Buying" a Masters

Colonel Sanders

Hi

Graduated from TCD in 2003 with a BA in Maths. I remember hearing while I was in college that there was a way of paying 500 quid or so a few years after you graduated and getting an MA. Was talking to a mate last night and he's doing it, in fact he's graduating Friday.

Just wondering how someone would go about this and would any fees payable be tax deductable (educational fees are, not sure about this tho!)

Cantab.

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Hi

Graduated from TCD in 2003 with a BA in Maths. I remember hearing while I was in college that there was a way of paying 500 quid or so a few years after you graduated and getting an MA. Was talking to a mate last night and he's doing it, in fact he's graduating Friday.

Just wondering how someone would go about this and would any fees payable be tax deductable (educational fees are, not sure about this tho!)

Would you ever cop yourself on. You can't "buy" degrees from Dublin -- you sound like a DCU graduate having a well-practiced moan about Trinity College. You can take your MA subject to certain conditions -- if you're in doubt, look at the Calendar or contact the Proctors' Office. Dublin is not the only university that awards MAs in this manner.

Mark200

Eh that sounds odd, but surely just ask your friend who is supposedly doing this.

godtabh

Jaysus this should be a sticky. It must get a posted every week.

You can get an MA 3 years after graduating. You pay a fee an admin fee. Randomers off the street cant get this.

Colonel Sanders

Cantab. wrote: »

Would you ever cop yourself on. You can't "buy" degrees from Dublin -- you sound like a DCU graduate having a well-practiced moan about Trinity College. You can take your MA subject to certain conditions -- if you're in doubt, look at the Calendar or contact the Proctors' Office. Dublin is not the only university that awards MAs in this manner.

Cop myself on? one of the conditions of obtaining an MA 'in this way' as you put it is paying just over 500 euros, sounds like 'buying' to me.

Was just wondering if anyone had gone down this route to obtain an MA, thats all

Colonel Sanders

kearnsr wrote: »

Randomers off the street cant get this.

I know that, I graduated in 03 and have been working in a related field ever since. Had heard rumours about in while it college and when I spoke to my ex-classmate he mentioned he was doing it. Was in a rush so didn't have time to ask details.

godtabh

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Cop myselfon? one of the conditions o obtaining an MA 'in this way' as you put it is paying just over 500 euros, sounds like 'buying' to me.

Was just wondering if anyone had gone down this route to obtain an MA, thats all

Can you buy one? As you can only get it under certain conditions. College education is free but you still have to pay for it

Colonel Sanders

are there details on what the conditions are on the website or anywhere else? I had a quick look earlier in work but couldn't find anything

Here's some info from a recent thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055216944

It's not a real MA by the way (whatever that is!)

godtabh

Myth wrote: »

Here's some info from a recent thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055216944

It's not a real MA by the way (whatever that is!)

Its in recongintion of your post graduate experince in the real world

Cantab.

kearnsr wrote: »

Its in recongintion of your post graduate experince in the real world

A common misinterpretation. You could be driving a taxi for 3 years after graduating and still be eligible for an MA. The most important aspect of the MA AFAIK is that it gives you seniority on the academic hierarchy. Very important if you're serious about going places in College.

godtabh

Cantab. wrote: »

A common misinterpretation. You could be driving a taxi for 3 years after graduating and still be eligible for an MA. The most important aspect of the MA AFAIK is that it gives you seniority on the academic hierarchy. Very important if you're serious about going places in College.

Where did I say that your post graduate experience had to relate under graduate degree?

Jo King

I read about it in a Trinity rule book some years ago. It is also a recognition of the fact that under-graduate degrees are a year longer in Trinity. The only person I heard of doing it did it because he was taking a job in Africa and the salary scale was determined by educational qualifications. He bought his Masters and qualified for higher pay as a result.

cbreeze

4 Bachelors of the University of at least three years’ standing may proceed to the degree of Master
in Arts. The degree may be conferred at any Commencements. The fee for the M.A. degree is €581
and should be paid to the Proctors’ Office. At least twenty-eight days’ notice of candidature is
required (thirty-one days in the case of Winter Commencements). The fee is waived in the case of
graduates of fifty or more years’ standing.

Now you know

AlexD

It comes from a time when Liberal Arts degrees were seven years long.Now they are four, three years after you are a awarded a BA you can claim the M.A. It is not a 'real' award of Masters level and not supposed to be used. Dublin awards the Msc, M.Phil or M.Litt degrees mostly for taught or researched masters. Anyone who attempts to claim that it for awards them for academic work or work experience is really disrespecting the university and bearing false witness.