wnat to study degree...mature student what are my chances?

angela_2107

i want to study eng lit and sociology at uclan in jan 2010, i have spoken to them and its not to late to apply.

I have also contacted them with the below questions/info but turn around is 7 days as they are so busy so i thought i would ask you guys here too!

i left school 15 years ago with 10 gcse's and have done no 'formal' learning since

however, in my job i am tasked with researching local council policy, collect info and report on it - i also produce reports and presentation that i deliver at board level. My role is very research and learning intensive

i know as a mature student i dont need a levels to be accepted but they do like past recent learning.

I have looking into access courses and year 0 but to be honest,after looking at them & speaking to past year 0 students i cannot see what the course would offer that my current role doesnt require me to fulfill. I feel i am more than competant in taking on the level of work needed to gain the degree qualification

It is a jan or never type situ as my contract at work expires at xmas and they arent renewing anyones so jan start would be ideal for me.

what can i do to maximise my chances of acceptance on this course? and if anyone can give any alternative solutions ie short learning courses that will assist my application i would be more than happy to take the info on board. or am i simply wasting my time?

thanks for any responses

KT1985

Hi,

It seems to be all I say at the minute, but consider the Open University, either for a short course, or for your whole degree. I think that the OU is fanastic, far better than the trad uni I went to. I am studying English type courses, would be very happy to chat through your options with you for either a prep unit or for further study- pm me:)

MrsManda

Look at the Open University and see if there's any courses you are interested in, preferrably linked to the degree you want to study which are starting soon. The short 10 point courses can be done in 6weeks or three months so you could easily get one or two under your belt before the course starts and being able to put that you are studying a few Open University courses as preparation is like gold dust in your personal statement - I'm sure it's partly what got me into university after 5 years of no study and not great grades prior to that.

Oldernotwiser

If you look at the UCLAN site you can see that they offer part time "Introduction to HE" courses, three times a year, specifically for people in your situation. I'd investigate this route as well as the OU.

welshmoneylover

OU all the way for me. Excellent teaching/material credentials

angela_2107

hi thanks all for the replies, the courses UCLAN offer i cant attend the next one is may and a f/t course, i have a 6 week project running at the same time but will explore the sept one, but i was lead to believe again it was how to research, how to use a pc etc. I also i will deffo look at ou.
thanks guys, knew you would be the ppl to ask!

Voyager2002

I think you should be a little more ambitious. UCLAN is fine, but is not one of the leading universities in the country. And for a course like yours, it would be worth the extra effort to go somewhere with very high standards.

I agree that you should get some experience of university-level study before beginning a full-time degree course, and the Open University offers an excellent way to achieve this. Once you are no longer employed OU modules are likely to be free for you (otherwise you can pay with Tesco clubcard points). Study with them at or near Foundation level, and you will then be well-prepared for a degree course, and with a qualification that is highly regarded by leading universities.

And good luck, whatever you decide.

Oldernotwiser

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I think you should be a little more ambitious. UCLAN is fine, but is not one of the leading universities in the country. And for a course like yours, it would be worth the extra effort to go somewhere with very high standards.

.

Unfortunately mature students often have to go to their local university because of domestic committments. If the OP has no such problems I would agree with you but she'll need more qualifications before being able to get a place at somewhere better.

angela_2107

oldernotwiser is correct, i will have to study at uclan to make it viable. they have emailed me back, but not provided all the info needed. I did speak to someone today who said doing an OU module would be a great move, so i am just about to look at relevant course.

Also, i dont know if anyone can answer this as the woman i spoke to couldnt!

On the website it states....
At Stage One, which is the first year, you can choose up to three subjects to give you maximum choice for your final degree. If you choose two subjects with the same letter eg A1 and A2, you would need to drop one subject after the first year


Does this mean i can choose to study the 2 i want to, or do i still need to study a 3rd? seems silly studying 3 with a view to giving you choice when i know what i want to study!

thanks again guys!

Oldernotwiser

From what I can see you need to be applying for a Joint Honours programme where you'll study two subjects for the whole three years. If you do the Combined Honours programme you do three subjects in the first year and then drop one of them.

Do you have any career aims in mind with this course of study?

Alcmene

Hi

I think it's great that you wish to go to University as a mature student.

UCLan is about midway, and is actually HIGHER in the research tables than some older and more established Universities in the North West. However, look at the course you are doing, they will be brilliant for some courses and not so good for others. It's all to do with the PEOPLE that teach it!

I suggest making an appointment to go in and speak to someone about your options. If you are local to the area this should not be difficult for you.