2nd Degree advice please?

Imp_Etuous

Hello

I'm just after some advice or even just some contact with people with experience of a similar situation really;

A bit of background on me I am soon to be 25, Graduated last year from my first degree which was a BA(hons) in technical arts & special effects (traditional sculpture for film & television) during the course we did a short module on 3D modelling & Animation using computers and I loved it and want to progress in that direction...

I was hoping to educate myself as I went along and get a junior level job somewhere but it seems that the knowledge and experience I would need just to start is a whole extra degree (haven't found any courses as good as the degree one and ther don't appear to be conversions available as there is hjust so much MORE to learn) am consoling myself to another 3 years study by reminding myself if I'd become a vet/architect I'd have been at uni for 7ish years anyway!

My current plan is:
Continue my current 2 part time jobs and use any spare minutes to learn 3D modelling and improve my fundamental art skills. Hopefully doing a short course at the uni in feb 09 then will apply to uni in March 09 whilst simultaneously sending out portfolios to all potential junior level jobs (just incase!) then, if uni will have me and employers won't..... work work work until September '09 in a desperate attempt to save enough for the £3,145 yearly fees plus rent, food, bills etc. then work one day a week during term time (apparently the course is too full on to do much work during term time) and all available holidays. My boyfriend has suggested we move in together as then living costs will be split between two as well, I don't know if it is cheaper realy but it seems to make sense?!

I know its a bit early to be making uni plans, but I have to start now to even possibly afford it :eek:

debt/saving wise I have 1,500 intrest fee overdraft and the usual student loan debt (but don't start paying off til earning over 15,000) have about £1,000 saved already some from selling my final degree piece that I intend to use to fund the short course (£300) (plus a bit more if my stupid deposit from last student house is EVER returned :mad:) absolutely NO possibility of financial aid from my wonderful parents as they are in debt themselves and they currently let me live with them virtually rent free (I know, I'm a big geek to be back at home at my age and also incredibly fortunate)

So any advice? Am I mad? is it possible? (sorry for the long essay just wanted to paint a clear picture )

The_One_Who

I don't really have any advice, but just to warn you that because you are wanting to do another undergraduate degree you may have to pay the full cost of the degree, so more along the lines of £10,000/year or whatever the international students are paying. I'm not sure when the government are wanting to bring this in though.

Oldernotwiser

Yes the subsidy on fees for people doing second degrees is being removed and, as TOW said, fees will be at roughly the level of those for international students. I think this starts in 2009 but someone may be more certain of the date.

Would it be possible for you to do a Master's degree which would allow you to gain the additional expertise you need? At least that way your course will be shorter and you'll have a higher level qualification.

Imp_Etuous

Thats not good news thanks for letting me know though. Is it the same for Scotland? I know they didn't do the initial top up fees thing like the rest of uk but the course I really want to do is in England so that would be a last resort. What about if you start a second degree before they remove the funding, will it rise after the first year? (although it sounds like it would be to late for that anyway?) I looked into a Masters but it seems like there is just too much basic knowledge (i.e computer programmes, techniques etc) that I would need to learn first. However I will contact the uni and ask them just in case I've got it wrong! thanks for replying it all seems a bit overwhelming sometimes.... :S

Oldernotwiser

Sorry, don't know about the situation in Scotland. I believe some people have looked at starting courses in February to try to miss the deadline but that's not an option on many courses. I think that the funding situation would remain the same once you'd started the course, though. Could you learn some of the skills you need with the OU (many of their courses start in February) and then look at doing a Master's?

Sorry to have been the bearer of bad tidings.

The_One_Who

I believe it would be the same in Scotland. Although I am not completely sure.

pinkshoes

Before you go spending another 3 years studying and getting into an even BIGGER debt, have you written to several companies who employ 3D animators, and found out what qualifications THEY want, and what the competition for jobs is like? i.e. a degree might not even guarantee you entry if competition is stiff!

Personally, I'd get myself (unpaid?) work experience with a company, then spend your free time teaching yourself the software, with the aim of potentially this company giving you a full time job, or paying for you to study!!

Imp_Etuous

Thanks for the replies

I have spoken to several companies prior to considering uni and they really don't care what qualifications you have (if any) its all about portfolio and experience. The reason I was considering another degree was purely for the opportunity it would give me to learn the programmes and improve my abilities/ gain new skills within an inspiring environment and nothing to do with the bit of paper at the end. I could learn the skills in my own time around work (would take MUCH longer and be hard to structure learning effectively) or by correspondence/online courses but they are just as, if not more, expensive and I know for a fact I work better in a studio/social environment than alone.

This area is a highly competitive one and just getting a degree in it would do nothing to increase my chances of employment, it was just about giving myself the time, environment and facilities to improve as effectively as possible in the time.

As it stands there is definitely no way I can do another degree now but I spoke to one of the lecturers on the degree I wanted to do yesterday and he has informed me that I MAY be able to get onto their masters course with my current degree if I work really hard to learn as much as I can in the coming year, Although it will be harder coming from a traditional instead of computer art background. This means I'd have access to all their industry links and knowledge but only be doing an extra year at uni

So there is a silver lining to all this - I'd much rather do another years study and try and work my way up than have to do another 3 years before even getting a foot on the career ladder!

thanks for everyones help, I'll try and pop back on and let you know what I do if anyones interested