Qualifications

goingtodoit_2

I'm new here, but it seems like a good place to get help, so hope you don't mind me asking.
I'm 20 and because of illness I didn't attend school for the last 3 years of my education. I am now completely recovered, and am desperate to get qualifications. I have always wanted to be a primary school teacher, so obviously would need a degree, but I feel I won't be able to affford to get the qualifications I need.

princessamy86

You might be able to get on to a degree course by doing a foundation year first (althought I'm not 100% sure). You can get a student loan for this so it's worth looking into. I think your best course of action would be to decide exactly what qualifications you would like to achieve, and then contact local colleges/universities to see how you would need to go about it. I know some councils offer GCSE courses in the evenings free of charge as well.

vixarooni

Why not give your old school and ring and see what they advise. Obviously the time off was out of your hands so surely there must be help out there for you? Might be worth looking into. I agree with the above poster, really access your options and see whether it is something you really want to do.

I got a Degree through doing a HND first, and you only need one A-level to get in. It might be worth looking into this to try and cut down some time because typically GCSE's/A-levels/Degree would take 7 years to complete. Also, this route is alot cheaper than convential routes into getting a degree, loans and help are just as available too.

Good Luck!

juno

You might want to look into doing an Access course through your local college. From there, you could go straight to university.

KT1985

Hi,
You need GCSEs in English, Maths (and science, I think).

I am studying with the Open University, I want to do a specialist support role. You don't need to have any prior educational qualifications, and you could do that alongside the necessary GCSEs. The fees are far lower, and you can get financial assistance.

I have been to 'traditional' uni, and have been doing OU for over a year- for me the OU wins hands down.

It is just a thought. Where abouts in the country are you?

briona

goingtodoit wrote: »

I'm 20 and because of illness I didn't attend school for the last 3 years of my education. I am now completely recovered, and am desperate to get qualifications. I have always wanted to be a primary school teacher, so obviously would need a degree, but I feel I won't be able to affford to get the qualifications I need.

Hiya and welcome to MSE!

As you currently have no qualifications, I believe you would be eligible for free tuition. Taken from the link below:

Free tuition to help you get new qualifications
If you don’t already have GCSEs, A levels or equivalent qualifications, you may be able to study for them without having to pay any tuition fees.

You’ll be able to get free tuition:
– for a course which leads to your first full Level 2 qualification
– if you’re 25 or under, for a course which leads to your first full Level 3 qualification

Getting a Level 2 qualification can help you develop skills suitable for a range of jobs - and a Level 3 qualification could get you into university or higher education.

A full Level 2 is equivalent to five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, and a full Level 3 to two A levels. But you’re not limited to just GCSEs and A levels. You could, for example, choose to do an NVQ or BTEC qualification that fits in with your career plans.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/DG_10033130

Hope that helps!

Briona