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Choosing which year of entry for your degree can be a difficult decision to make. Polly looks at the pros and cons of second year entry, and offers tips that every prospective student should know before starting.
There are challenges and opportunities for all students, but what are some of the difficulties and potential gains faced by mature students?
Michael Marshall started studying after a 30 year career and raising a family. He has recently completed an MSc in Theoretical Physics and is currently undertaking a PhD in Theoretical Physics.
Why did you chose to study the MSc in Theoretical Physics?
I completed my undergraduate degree while working full time. Towards the end of my degree I realised that to embark on a new career in physics I would need a PhD, and the obvious first step was to undertake an MSc. My undergraduate tutors recommended the University of Edinburgh’s Higgs Centre as one of the best places to study theoretical physics.
University can be daunting. If you’re reading this you’ve been there. You know the anxious feeling you get before leaving almost everyone and everything you know. Nobody wants to leave their dog behind – wagging it’s tail – oblivious to the fact you might not come home again for months at a time.
I left home to fly up to Edinburgh on a rainy Monday afternoon. All I was sure of, is that I had a place at University and an Airbnb for a week. Was I scared? Sure. Was I worried? Absolutely.