My dilemma...

sophief333

So here’s my story.

I’m 18 and have just finished the first year of my 2 year level 3 access to music course. Throughout the course my college tutors have told me that I could skip the second year and go straight on to the degree course (as I am slightly more advanced than the students in my level). However, at the end of this year they told me they could not let me do this at they are not running the degree course this year due to lack of students.

They have given me a guaranteed place on the degree course starting September 2009 and given me the option to stay on for the second year of my access course or take a year out.
At first I thought I would defiantly take the year out to earn some good money, but after constant job hunting and various unsuccessful interviews I don’t know what to do! I currently work part time in Waterstones book shop but I wouldn’t want to do that full time for a year. I would love to find a job as a trainee sales and lettings negotiator (as this is something that has always interested me) and if I found a position I would consider not going back to college.

On the other hand, if I stayed on for the second year of my access course, I would receive the ALG!

The whole situation also applies to my long term boyfriend who is in exactly the same position. We are frantically saving at the moment as we want to buy (not rent!) a flat within the next year, as we can no longer live with his mother.

Anyways, sorry for the essay but I thought I would ask some sensible moneysavers their opinion on my dilemma!:p

Broke_Student

Many students engage in gap years with objectives that stretch far beyond financial benefit.

e.g.
Work experience
Voluntary/charity work
Travelling/World Tours
Having a break!!!

Have you opened your mind to other options/benefits to a gap year?

sophief333

Yeah, but if I was to take a gap year it would have to be for financial benifit as I am a self-confessed moneysaving addict!

Plus I need money so me and the OH can get our own place.

Thanks

Voyager2002

For all sorts of reasons, no-one should plan to buy a home until they have finished university.

For a subject like music, the university awarding your degree really matters. I am afraid that a college offering even an excellent Access course is unlikely to be the kind of elite institution whose degrees are highly regarded. So once you are qualified to begin a degree, I suggest that you either (a) go to a top university to do music, or (b) choose another subject that leads to a career with more openings than is the case for music.

Surfbabe

ACtually that is not correct - one of the best places for a music degree in the country is a local college near here - its not a univeristy and it offers access courses, BETc etc

polomint_2

My daughter has just left collage with a good pass on her 2 year course however she cant seem to get a job.

Firstly how would you benifit from staying on for the year? Apart from the alg? Do you live at home or with family? Would you get a higher degree in music with more practice and experience?

sophief333

Voyager2002 wrote: »

For all sorts of reasons, no-one should plan to buy a home until they have finished university.

For a subject like music, the university awarding your degree really matters. I am afraid that a college offering even an excellent Access course is unlikely to be the kind of elite institution whose degrees are highly regarded. So once you are qualified to begin a degree, I suggest that you either (a) go to a top university to do music, or (b) choose another subject that leads to a career with more openings than is the case for music.

I am in a position where I have to get my own place and I would much rather buy than pay rent. And hopefull by the end of next year my partner and I will have saved a good 20% deposit at least.

As for my college, I can understand you opinion, and that was my opinion at the start aswell. However after looking at other unis, none seem to have the competence that my tutors have. At my college I am know as an individual unlike many unis where students are known as just a number.

All of the tutor at my college are fully qualified teachers and musicians, with amazing experiances of the music industry, infact one tutor has just spent the winter playing bass with Sting.

Whilst this may not be appreciate by employers, if I were to do my degree I would go on to do a PGCE to hopefully become a music teacher. I believe in this field, where your degree is from is not a huge factor.

My college is accociated with the universty of greenwich and the degree is just as good as any music degree, if not better.

Thanks for your response

sophief333

polomint wrote: »

My daughter has just left collage with a good pass on her 2 year course however she cant seem to get a job.

Firstly how would you benifit from staying on for the year? Apart from the alg? Do you live at home or with family? Would you get a higher degree in music with more practice and experience?

Well I would be improving myself with further education, especially in my chosen course, music, where I am practising for around 5 hours plus a day! (I certinly wouldnt be doing this if I took a year off!)

I am currently living with my boyfriends mother but we unfortunately need to move out by the end of next year.

Good luck to your daughter!

polomint_2

Thanx. I would personally say take all the education you can while you can. And as you said if you wasnt at collage but working you might not be doing all the practice you should be.

Do you pay for your course?

sophief333

As I started the course at 18, no I dont have to pay.

The degree is £1,700 a year.

polomint_2

If you defer for a year that brings you to over 20 is that right?

have you confirmmed that you will still get it free?