Double Masters

[clarke54321]

Hello 

In terms of my university preferences, I'm feeling quite conflicted at the moment. Although a double degree of Law (honours)/Arts at Monash seems the perfect course for me, I don't necessarily warm to the Clayton campus. The atmosphere just doesn't feel right.

So this brings me to my next question. Would it be too ambitious to complete a double masters at Unimelb after undergoing the Bachelor of Arts? Time/money doesn't concern me. At Unimelb I get the feeling of belonging. Has anyone had experience with a double masters at this uni?

Thanks very much

[Aaron]

To be fair, I don't think you can accurately assess the atmosphere/environment of a university until you've been there for a little longer and mixed in with the daily operations of your course for at least a semester. You have just finished year 12, right? If you really want to do a specific course, i'd go for that over anything else. In the end, you are there to study and learn. You can always transfer if you have to.

Double masters.. I haven't heard of anybody doing two masters at the same time. Honestly, doing one master's degree is extremely time consuming and your full effort is needed. Can't imagine anybody doing more than one at once.

Not to mention that most Masters degrees are not CSP.. meaning you get charged the full fee which can blow out to very high $$ amounts. Where there are CSP places in a masters course, they are extremely limited and it's very competitive to get those spots.

I have done a masters at Monash Clayton and while the environment (I agree in a way) wasn't great, what matters really is the quality of the course/study you have chosen. That should be your number one priority.

[clarke54321]

To be fair, I don't think you can accurately assess the atmosphere/environment of a university until you've been there for a little longer and mixed in with the daily operations of your course for at least a semester. You have just finished year 12, right? If you really want to do a specific course, i'd go for that over anything else. In the end, you are there to study and learn. You can always transfer if you have to.

Double masters.. I haven't heard of anybody doing two masters at the same time. Honestly, doing one master's degree is extremely time consuming and your full effort is needed. Can't imagine anybody doing more than one at once.

I have done a masters at Monash Clayton and while the environment (I agree in a way) wasn't great, what matters really is the quality of the course/study you have chosen. That should be your number one priority.

Thanks for your response, Aaron.

You're probably right. I can always transfer after a semester or year if I don't feel content. And ultimately, it is the degree that I will take away, which is of the most significance.

In relation to the double masters, I wasn't considering doing the two concurrently. Rather, it was more the idea of doing one after the other.

[Joseph41]

Thanks for your response, Aaron.

You're probably right. I can always transfer after a semester or year if I don't feel content. And ultimately, it is the degree that I will take away, which is of the most significance.

In relation to the double masters, I wasn't considering doing the two concurrently. Rather, it was more the idea of doing one after the other.

Seems great in theory, and I know you said time/money aren't concerns for you, but this is ~18-year-old you speaking. You might think differently after a few years (or sooner). Like, halfway through my undergrad degree I was all like "yeah, gonna finish this one, then do a double undergrad degree, then jump into a PhD - it'll be sweet!" And then a year or two later, I was pretty burnt one, and am content for now with my one (technically two with Honours, but realistically one) degree.

What would you do after undergrad Arts? The JD? What else?

EDIT: My view is that vibe - whatever that means - is actually pretty important, though.

[Aaron]

In relation to the double masters, I wasn't considering doing the two concurrently. Rather, it was more the idea of doing one after the other.

PHEW. That's a relief!

Honestly I think it will depend on your financial situation and your motivation at the end of your Bachelor (whatever motivation is left, anyway). My own personal experience was that even after my Bachelor, I felt extremely drained and wanted to just start working. I had to do my MTeach because I needed the teacher qualification to even do what I wanted to do, hence the masters. By the time that was over, I wanted to get out of university altogether and start making a living. actually it was probably about 3 weeks into my first sem in masters

I love your ambition and determination but I think wait and see... Especially due to the whole full-fee/barely any CSP business. Your debt will be huuuge. After my 2 degrees I racked up $40k and that was with majority of my subjects being at band 1 and 2 (fees for HECS are separated into bands, 1 being lowest like $760 per subject and 3 being highest, up in the lower $1ks). Both my courses were CSP too so it was heavily subsidised via HECS.

[brenden]

Wait, how does not doing undergrad Law translate to doing two masters degrees after Arts? (or was the plan to do Arts/Law, THEN do a masters in something?)

[clarke54321]

Seems great in theory, and I know you said time/money aren't concerns for you, but this is ~18-year-old you speaking. You might think differently after a few years (or sooner).

I love your ambition and determination but I think wait and see... Especially due to the whole full-fee/barely any CSP business. Your debt will be huuuge. After my 2 degrees I racked up $40k and that was with majority of my subjects being at band 1 and 2 (fees for HECS are separated into bands, 1 being lowest like $760 per subject and 3 being highest, up in the lower $1ks).

Yes, absolutely. I'm sure circumstances are subject to change in the future. Ultimately, I'm just trying to find Melbourne's substitute for the double degree of Law/Arts at Monash. I don't think I'll be able to find a reasonable replication (without high expense/time).

What would you do after undergrad Arts? The JD? What else?

I'm considering either Journalism or Applied Linguistics. But alongside either, I'd love an element of law (a formalised degree).

My view is that vibe - whatever that means - is actually pretty important, though.

Yes, I think so too. I've been much more involved with UniMelb in the past, so perhaps this accounts for my strong connection. However, in terms of practicality and structure, Monash seems to compliment my future aspirations better. Ah, decisions, decisions 

Wait, how does not doing undergrad Law translate to doing two masters degrees after Arts? (or was the plan to do Arts/Law, THEN do a masters in something?)

Yes, the plan was to do the double degree and then complete a masters.

[brenden]

Assuming you had a qualification in Law/Arts - what would the additional qualification be in? Journalism Masters?

[clarke54321]

Assuming you had a qualification in Law/Arts - what would the additional qualification be in? Journalism Masters?

I suppose it depends on where my interests take me. At this point, probably Journalism or Linguistics.

[Aaron]

Probably another thing to consider as well is, whether a masters or something along those lines is necessarily important for the field you're interested in? Are you setting yourself up to be overqualified or does this meet the mark? I don't know the area you're interested in nor do I understand the demand with respect to experience/qualifications, but I'd definitely investigate this too before making a decision on whether it's worth spending the extra $

For me personally, the masters was important given they were phasing out the graduate diploma (and still are... nearly all are gone now) and panels/schools look favourably on people who have had prior experience/studies before pursuing a teaching education course. I chose the masters to futureproof myself. So definitely I think the discipline plays an important role in decisions like these too

[appleandbee]

I'm considering either Journalism or Applied Linguistics. But alongside either, I'd love an element of law (a formalised degree).

Having interned at two reputable publications, a journalism degree isn't necessary (especially since you are doing it as an additional degree, obviously if journalism is the only thing a person would like to study content wise, by all means go for it). I would argue that International relations, Philosophy, Anthropology (the skills employed are very similar in the storytelling aspect) and Economics would be far more beneficial as a graduate degree and opposed to journalism. The journalism industry is in need of people that can be creative and write in-depth, thoughtful, investigative pieces, with people with a more academically geared degree would be in the better position to do (as they have specialised knowledge and are used to doing in-depth research).

[Joseph41]

What do you want to study in undergrad Arts?

[Glasses]

Hello 

In terms of my university preferences, I'm feeling quite conflicted at the moment. Although a double degree of Law (honours)/Arts at Monash seems the perfect course for me, I don't necessarily warm to the Clayton campus. The atmosphere just doesn't feel right.

Like Aaron said, it's hard to assess the atmosphere of a campus right away. When I first checked out Monash (Clayton), I felt a bit lost and didn't love it; but once I got accustomed to where things are, it really grew on me.
I'll also mention the following regarding the atmosphere of the Clayton Campus:
1) The Campus has changed, and is changing a lot. There has been construction going on at Clayton for ages, and in my opinion, the Campus has become (and is becoming) much better. Therefore, it might worth going to Clayton and checking out the Campus now, so you can see the new developments and see if it feels right for you now
2) As of 2018, a new group are leading the MSA, and are placing a massive emphasis on improving campus life; i.e. enhancing the Campus atmosphere and making students actually want to come to University (rather than watching lectures online).

Furthermore, I personally believe it's incredibly important to consider the cost of completing uni courses. I know HECS can make it easy to forget about course fees, but remember that eventually, you do need to pay your HECS debt back (and obviously, a large debt isn't funny).

[clarke54321]

What do you want to study in undergrad Arts?

If I were to complete the undergraduate degree at UoM, I'd focus on linguistics subjects and law breadth subjects (eg. free speech and media law, principles of business law, etc.).

Furthermore, I personally believe it's incredibly important to consider the cost of completing uni courses. I know HECS can make it easy to forget about course fees, but remember that eventually, you do need to pay your HECS debt back (and obviously, a large debt isn't funny).

Thanks for the advice, Glasses. I really appreciate it.

Do you know how much it costs to complete the double degree at Monash?

[Aaron]

but remember that eventually, you do need to pay your HECS debt back (and obviously, a large debt isn't funny).

Can personally attribute. I've been working for 6 months and have paid a whopping ~$1,000 of my debt (I dont know the exact number). AMAZING. I get around $112 taken out of my pay for HECS every fortnight. So you know, without voluntary contributions, you will take forever to pay your HECS off. The higher it is, the longer it takes to pay off.

help me