Completing my MSc

This is a request for financial assistance to enable me to complete an MSc in Project Management online through Liverpool University.

I left school early, headed to trade-college and started working at the age of 16. Getting a tertiary qualification was not something that registered as a possibility never mind something I would be doing in my late 40’s! Being able to go to school now and being more than half-way through my masters is an accomplishment I am very proud of and something I am desperate to be able to finish.

I have moved up a little from where I started as an apprentice in the drawing office (on the board) to where I am now, working on numerous mining projects all over Africa for many years, sometimes running the drawing office sections, other times working in the sections. At 46, due to a dearth in projects, I was laid off from the company I had been with for over 4 years and took a job with a small consultancy to do design for a plant in the Far East. I was sent over for a few weeks to trouble shoot some problems but wound up doing 18 months there as the client was so impressed with my management of the project, people and the teams, both on site and in the office he demanded I stay. And this is how it all came to pass.

It was during my time in the Far East that the seed to study project management was planted and after doing some research on the where’s and the how’s and the how much and the how long, I decided that the only way to improve my career prospects and do something which I am passionate about (and possibly have some talent in) is to embark on this Project Management degree. I applied at Liverpool University, was interviewed and because of age and experience, despite having no previous university qualifications, I was accepted. I started in 2016 and have completed all six of my prescribed modules and am about to start the first of two elective modules. I am, scheduled to start my dissertation in February 2019 to submit in July of the same year. My entire degree so far has been self-funded and I have achieved really good results.

I have already had to suspend my studies twice due to employment contracts ending and a subsequent lack of finances, and although my wife and I both work, the financial strain is taking its toll; and I would love nothing more than to be able to finish my degree without having to worry about how the next month’s bill is going to get paid.

Unfortunately, while composing this, I have been told that the project I am currently on is over and the company has nothing for me to move me on to. So once again, I may have to postpone my studies as financially, we cannot meet the commitment. I am not eligible for a study loan from a local bank as the degree is being done in another country and the big corporations seem to only want to sponsor younger people.

So, I am asking for contributions, big, small or in-between; or an organization to sponsor the rest of my MSc, and allow me to raise the $15 000. I need to realize my dream of graduating.

As I pay in South African Rand’s and the tuition is charged in US$ I negotiated a reduced tuition fee, payable in monthly increments over 36 months. The financial details are as follows:

All invoices for tuition fees are based on study points; one study point pays for taking one credit point of study and for Master programmes you will have to pay a total of 180 points study points divided between 8 modules (120 study points, or 15 study points each), 1 dissertation of 60 study points. There are also a standard 12 tech fees, 1 for each module and 4 during the dissertation. All re-sits are invoiced according to the above, (there will be none).

I have so far used 105 study points, been invoiced for 80 and paid 70.

Paid to Date (Registration, technology & tuition fees & textbooks): US$14,316.60 - variable exchange rate

Remaining fees: (exchange rate on 13 Aug 2018 - 1 USD = 14.412 ZAR)

110 study points: US$16,226.78 - tuition reduction: US$12,482.14

Tech fees: 6 X 82.92: US$497.52

Amount required to complete (tuition & technology fees):US$12,979.66 / ZAR187,249.45

PMP Certification after completion of Masters:US$2,000.00 / ZAR28,824.38

Total: US$14,979.66 / ZAR215,543.01

Thank you

Craig Irving – Johannesburg South Africa