Advice about getting an MA from a UK university

[marlowe]

Looks like I should clarify my earlier post.

My private undergraduate university cost something like $50,000 a year, which I was fortunate not to pay.

My UK MA, which was only a year in length, cost about 12,000 GBP, or $20,000 -- thus, my entire masters degree cost less than a semester at my undergrad would have cost.

I paid for it myself, and I am certain that it had everything to do with my getting into a solid PhD program. I worked very closely with the faculty in my area, I met loads of traveling scholars, I got a job at the best museum in the world, presented at some great conferences, lived in one of the coolest cities in the world, and most importantly, I learned a great deal about my field and what I want to do.

It may not be for everybody, but I don't regret it in the least.