i want to go uni but can i afford it?

princessbutterpea

I would love to go to uni as i never had a chance before but now i have a mortgage and everything. i want to do something good with my life like being a teacher but not having any qualifications is obviously holding me back. my mum mentoned to me that there might be grants or bursarys available. i would obviously hve to give up my full time job and get something that fits in (if i can at the moment). what kind of financial help would i get and what would i need in the way of qualifications to get in.

i am only 23 and dont want to leave it too late.

any help would be great thanks:beer:

Fire_Fox

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Applyingforthefirsttime/index.htm

Also don't forget you can get a student bank account with 0% overdraft, exemption from council tax, discounts on public transport, and on purchases with a Student Union card. I also let a room in my flat and work part-time (both tax-free) and am better off as a student than I am working full-time!!

The_One_Who

Doing something through the Open University might be an option. That way you don't need to quite your job.

noojam55

Firstly, I'd say its never too late to go to university. I took a year out between 16 - 17 and in that year realised I wanted to go, so went to college and through that way and its been the best decision of my life.

Don't worry about the age. At university, I always say there will be those who go for the social, those who go for the social but want to work and those who are pure academics, driven to get the highest grade possible. If you fit into the latter two, you'll be fine, although I know there are probably thousands who go purely for the social side and get a brilliant degree. It all depends on your priorities.

It's also not too late to apply this year (although no university HAS to accept your application, though many would be stupid not to do so, because they will still have plenty of spaces!). You have to go through UCAS and write a personal statement, provide references, and select universities to choose from.

With regard to finances, DirectGov is the best start. It outlines everything you can get. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/index.htm

Then for more teacher based funding try: http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit.aspx

You won't regret it! The hardest part is pressing the Submit button on UCAS!

skint-student-nurse

i agree with fire fox! i always carry my student id with me and always ask if they do student discount when i go shopping! keep an eye out for freebies from your student union,too during freshers week. you may also be entitled to the access to learning fund at your uni.

princessbutterpea

Thanks thats all great help - it really is very daunting though. My work are thinking of making redundancies and i have only been there 3 years which is a lot less then most and it seems like the best time to do it. ~I really want to do well and get a good degree and be a teacher as i currently work in an office and it doesent fulfil me at all i feel like i am not doing anything of any use just typing all day.

am just about to look on the government site see what i can get

surfsister

princessbutterpea wrote: »

Thanks thats all great help - it really is very daunting though. My work are thinking of making redundancies and i have only been there 3 years which is a lot less then most and it seems like the best time to do it. ~I really want to do well and get a good degree and be a teacher as i currently work in an office and it doesent fulfil me at all i feel like i am not doing anything of any use just typing all day.

am just about to look on the government site see what i can get

If you want to do teaching it might be a good idea to do a day or so in a school to see if you like it. Many schools let people have a day or afternoon to see how it all works. Even volunteering for a day or so would be a good idea. I'm in education and I see so many people start teaching and hate it, once they see how difficult it is. Are you thinking secondary or primary schools?

VfM4meplse

23 is not at all old to complete your education but be very sure of what it is you want to do and what you want to get out of it after 3 years. Otherwise it can be a very expensive mistake if you are unable to adjust your standard of living, maintaining the mortgage may be tough (bursary or no bursary), and bills will always pop up when least affordable.

currynchips

Should be able to pull in around £5k in loans if you've worked for 3 years and potentially more through bursary. If you haven't been to uni before you will get fees loan too.
What subject is it?

princessbutterpea

i have decided to do mental health as i know i will be able to help at least one person. i just want to do better with my life and i can always get my QTS (qualified teaching status) at a later date and help young children with problems. i have spoken to someone who is a mental health nurse who told me that i needed a nvq or a-levels which i can do if i get a job related to it and i will also be able to see what everything entails.

Fire_Fox

Definitely get some voluntary experience in the field; try the CVS (Community and Voluntary Service) in your area or Volunteering England for opportunities. You will probably need a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check to work with either children or mental heath, even for just half a day here and there.

You may be able to bypass the A-level route if you get a place on a Foundation Degree. This will be full time so you get all the financial support, but only one day of study a week plus paid or unpaid work experience. The Open University run one on young people as do several colleges (accredited by universities). There are also Foundation Degrees in health and social care, and in mental health.

You can then do one more year to get a full degree, and then a PGCE if you are still keen. My local NHS run short courses which are free to access which get you understanding the wider issues surrounding health, and the terminology (e.g. partnership working).