Over 50 and off to uni

suffolkb

I`ve been out of work since being laid off at the hospital. Over 18 months and have decided to go to uni with the aim of teaching in higher education. I will be doing a foundation year to bring my skills up to scratch. This should leave me with time for part time work - if I can find any in Norwich. I think that due to my age (54), length of time out of work (>12 months) and failing health (heart failure), then I might be entitled to WTC. Is this correct?. It would come in useful as I am not entitled to a grant for my first year.
Thanks.

kingsthorpe

you will be entitled to wtcs if you are still working part time when you go to uni as you are over 50.

good look with the teaching. ring the wtcs up to see how much you get.

ems2

No advice but yay you!! good luck with it all. I thought I was brave going to back to uni after 6 years off studying.

mummytofour

The very best of lcuk and well done you for taking a new path!

scat

Sounds like the course I start in September would suit you!

Big Government push to up levels in Numeracy and Literacy. You need level two qualifications ( GCSE ) in Maths and English and a Level 3 qualification ( A'Level ) in whichever you wish to specialise in. You don't need a degree. You get a £3,000 bursary from the government each year ( it's a 2 year course ) your fees paid and are entitled to maintanance grants and student loans etc. The final qualification is a Cert Ed which qualifies you to teach any subject that you have recognised skills in, obviously this is in the post-compulsary ed' sector, as well as a literacy or numeracy specialisation. You only have to attend 2 hours of lectures a week and 4 hours of teaching practice so fits in quite nicely with a part-time job.

I think my LEA is piloting the scheme but should be more widespread next year.

Might be worth looking into?

suffolkb

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in replying - haven`t been on the site for a while.
Scat - that would have been ideal, if I`d known about it. Good luck with your studies.
Panic setting in now as I move into halls on Sunday and lecture start next week. Hope I`m not the only old person.

Valley's_girl

Hi just want to wish you all the best.
Ally x