Higher Diploma or Masters

water-man

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice. I have a BEng in electrical & electronic Engineering form 2004. Since then been in almost full time employment (more of a Mechinical Engineer) but around 7 weeks ago was made redundant.

I've started thinking about going back to college. But I have learned that I will lose my Job Seekers Benefit if I go back and study for a Masters.

I can only keep the JB or Back to Education Allowance if I study for a) a Higher Diploma ar b) to become a teacher.

So what I'm wondering is is it worth my while studying a Higher Diploma in say some Computer Programming course or are they a waste of time?? Do employers look at them seriously?

Or should I just accept some debt for one year and study a Masters?

Thanks,

WM

Shiny

Wouldn't you be eligible for the grant as a mature student ?

Yup, if you're eligible for a grant it covers the cost of a Masters or a HDip if full-time. You can do a HDip and then a Masters and get it paid for if you get a grant, but you can't do a Masters and then do a HDip to get it paid for by the grant (it's not progression, whereas Level 8 (Bach.) -> Level 8 (HDip) -> Level 9 (Masters) is).

water-man

Thanks for the replies.

Have been doing some reading and I definitely do not qualify for the back to education allowance unless I do a Higher Diploma.

From your reply Donal I see that both Bach. and H.Dip are considered the same level i.e level 8. So studying for a H.Dip would not be considered progression. Looks like a Masters it is.

But I'm still wondering if H.Dips are taking seriously by employers

I'll apply for the grant in the mean time.

WM

water-man

water-man wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Have been doing some reading and I definitely do not qualify for the back to education allowance unless I do a Higher Diploma.

From your reply Donal I see that both Bach. and H.Dip are considered the same level i.e level 8. So studying for a H.Dip would not be considered progression. Looks like a Masters it is.

The HDip from Bachelors actually is progression even though it's at the same level... in the grant regulations (last year's unfortunately) it specifies this clearly:

http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/support_higher08.doc?language=EN

For the purposes of this clause postgraduate qualifications at Level 8 are deemed to be progression.

x in the city

wtf

only payin back to edu for a hdip

stupid or what, as I am also thinking of doing a masters, so i lose all benefits also.?

water-man

I only get Jobseekers benefit - so can only comment on this.

But yes if I go back to college to study a masters or phd (I already hold a degree) I loose my JB.

Things are different if you don't have a degree.

WM