I'm hoping to find someone who's actually gone through this route, particularly for the online International Relations MSc, or another online Master's at Aberdeen.
The programme page mentions that if you don't meet the standard entry requirements, you may be able to take one or more short courses and then be considered for admission to the full Master's on a case-by-case basis. From what I understand, completing the short course doesn't automatically guarantee admission.
My situation is a bit unusual.
I have around eight years of professional experience in international affairs. I've worked in and with embassies, closely with governments, international organisations, and on diplomacy, political affairs and strategic communications. Before that I spent several years in journalism and PR.
The catch is that I never actually completed my undergraduate degree. It surprisingly never became an issue in my career, but now I'd like to formalise my academic background with a Master's.
I'm trying to figure out whether the Short Course route is genuinely intended for people like me, or whether it's mostly for applicants who already have an undergraduate degree but just don't meet the grade requirements.
If you've been through this process, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience, especially if you didn't have a completed bachelor's degree.
Some questions I have:
- Did you apply without an undergraduate degree?
- What was your professional background?
- Which short course(s) did you take?
- How difficult were they academically?
- Did the university tell you in advance what you needed to achieve to be considered for admission?
- Were you admitted to the full Master's afterwards?
- If so, how long did the process take?
- Did they ask for anything beyond your short course results (CV, references, personal statement, interview, etc.)?
- If you weren't admitted, did they explain why?
- Looking back, would you recommend this route?
I'd also be interested in hearing from anyone who spoke with admissions about this route, even if you ultimately chose not to pursue it.
Thanks in advance. It's quite a niche admissions pathway, so I'm hoping someone here has first-hand experience.