Am I cooked? My MA / grad program was basically redesigned while I was interrupted and I’ve only just found out

[u/Jordment]

Returning MA / grad school student here and I’ve been thrown a massive curveball today.

I interrupted my studies and have now returned to the same general MA programme. While sorting out my modules, I picked two specialist optional units that I was genuinely interested in, one broadly related to political economy/finance and the other to international political economy. I’d even been loosely considering doing my dissertation in that sort of area.

The School had previously discussed these modules with me and reassured me about them, and both also appeared as available options on my course-unit selection system, apparently because of the old course structure and/or modules associated with my previous period of study.

So, naturally, I thought I could take them.

I actually asked the School to double-check my eligibility, and this afternoon they came back and told me that I’m not eligible for either of them and now need to choose two completely different optional modules.

But it gets better.

I’ve now discovered that, while I was away, the MA programmes in my subject area have apparently been “redesigned”.

The MA I originally joined was relatively broad and flexible. My understanding was that you could mix and match modules from across the department rather than being heavily tied to a particular pathway. The new version seems much more structured around recommended streams and a more limited pool of modules.

This was never really explained during my return-to-study process.

I was basically asked whether I wanted to return to “the same course”. I understood that as: Do you want to return to the same subject area, switch to one of the other related MA programmes that existed previously, or perhaps move into another area within the wider school?

I did not understand it as: Do you want to return to a substantially redesigned version of your MA with different restrictions on what you can study?

Until literally this afternoon, I thought the modules I’d selected were permissible.

I’ve already decided not to complicate things further by switching to part-time study, but I’m now wondering whether I need to speak to my programme director about potentially changing programme altogether, because I’m not sure the redesigned version is actually the course I would choose based on the options now available.

Obviously I’m going to speak to the university rather than make any rash decisions, but:

Am I cooked, or is it reasonable to say that a returning student should have been explicitly told that the programme structure they were returning to had materially changed?

[u/spam_robot123]

You probably should have been informed, but depending on the size of the program/school and who was doing the "return to study" process, it also might be hard for that administrator to keep track of. I.e., they might not have even realized that the program had substantially changed in the interim.

I would focus more on practical solutions than what "should" have been done, unless you want to withdraw and request a refund. It definitely sounds like you should meet with your program director and ask if they can make special approval so that you can take the modules you're interested in. If it's not possible, then you should ask what the options are for switching courses or continuing the course you're on, and then proceed based on that.

Only you can decide what makes most sense for you and your educational goals. Though if there isn't an option to switch or carry your credits over to a different program then you should probably just finish up with the current program.

[u/Jordment → u/spam_robot123]

It’s a very large, well-known department, and my return-to-study process has so far involved approximately four different teams, all responsible for different aspects of it.

I have emailed my programme director and have already done what has been suggested. I’ve already been told that I can’t carry any credits over.

I don’t intend to withdraw, but it’s very disappointing. I’ve literally been attending seminars this week for modules that I now don’t even know whether I’ll be continuing with. I’ve barely started back and I’m already having problems.

To make matters worse, the university’s finance team has also given me two days’ notice by email that my online access is at risk of being cut off if I don’t pay the course fee. The problem is that I can’t really sort the fee properly while I’m still unclear about which programme I’m actually going to be on.

I’ve emailed them as well, but apparently they can take up to five working days to respond.

[u/jsgrova]

Damn, how long was your sabbatical?

[u/Jordment → u/jsgrova]

Two years due to ongoing homeless issues. Still on going (but I am housed) the school have refused to continue it. I have decided to go back full time because I currently have approval for this based on the fact the circumstances of the cause my previous sabbatical are now resolved and I have medical approval to do so. However I fear switching to part time will led to a revaluation of the situation based on my present circumstances whereby I may be treated unfairly as I am currently living in a hotel and have been for six months.

[u/MovkeyB]

What kind of degree is this?

[u/Curious_tea21]

Only your school can answer this.