Gutted

casson2006

Shouldnt u just get in any way because your a mature student? But guess if their is alot of demand for the course then thats wot has happened. i live in lancaster, wot about central lancs in preston? thats not 2 far away, but not sure if they do the course you want.

lynzpower

social work is generally a very oversubscribed course ( i did it with the OU last year) and I would say, stick with what you've got. I would NOT go through clearing for social work courses, due to issues Ive heard of with them finding placements for you. If you have a place NOW, then the uNi you ar with should be sourcing your placements ( or setting up agreements, either way) This has to be the msot important thing, Ive heard of many students over the years that have not mnaged to get placements when they needed them, thus failing or having to have the course tail on for ages whilst finding placements.

And if you are considering OU -Id say dont bother. I did workplace based OU and that was Ok as obv I had my placements rigged up for me, but overall it is a complete hassle. I heard of many many students from the OU who could not locate placements which is why the OU pulled the course in about 2000. UNless the oU have addresseed this massive failure I would not go independently with them AT ALL.

For your positive note I would say - well done youve got into one of the most over-subscribed courses in the country, and you are well on your way to one of the most fulfilling and intereting jobs in the world, one you can take abroad with you ( australia, new zealand, canada are all after UK SW's) and if you stay here and stay savvy, you can get a really good salary, depending where you are. If youve ever had a boring job before- you wont know whats hit you in SW, its fascinating every single day and very invigorating! Congratluations!

SamMoffatt28

casson2006 wrote:

Shouldnt u just get in any way because your a mature student? But guess if their is alot of demand for the course then thats wot has happened. i live in lancaster, wot about central lancs in preston? thats not 2 far away, but not sure if they do the course you want.

Unfortunately just because I am a mature student I don't have a right to a place. Social Work is obviously a huge responsibility as I will be working with disadvantaged and vulnerable people so they have to make their decisions very carefully depending on experience and whether or not I have any criminal convictions (I don't!) I have been accepted by Uclan and can take my 1st yr at Kendal college as it is closer - I don't actually live in Lancaster I live in one of the smaller rural towns nearby.

SamMoffatt28

lynzpower wrote:

For your positive note I would say - well done youve got into one of the most over-subscribed courses in the country, and you are well on your way to one of the most fulfilling and intereting jobs in the world, one you can take abroad with you ( australia, new zealand, canada are all after UK SW's) and if you stay here and stay savvy, you can get a really good salary, depending where you are. If youve ever had a boring job before- you wont know whats hit you in SW, its fascinating every single day and very invigorating! Congratluations!

Thank you! I really appreciate your words of advice and support xx

^!£$&

SamMoffatt28 wrote:

Thanks Melancholly. The course is social work and apparently is very popular in my area (Lancaster). Its ok I guess I still have other options so it's not as bad as I feel it is. A couple of days to think about it and I'm sure I'll come up with the right answer that will solve the problem. I'm sure theres people in a lot worse situation than me so I have no right to moan really! :rolleyes:

I applied for socail work at my first choice Uni, they knocked me bk so I was gutted but offered me socail care & early childhood studies in the end!
And I absolutely love this course and am so glad I did this as apose to social work!!
So you could always see what other similar courses they can offer you!!
Hope this helps! :j

SamMoffatt28

I just found out by email from Lancaster Uni, that the reason I did not secure a place on the course was because I do not have a GCSE Maths grade C or equivalent. I'm pretty annoyed about this as a) I wrote in my personal statement that I am willing to do the level 2 key skills numeracy exam as I already know I can and will pass it and b) I was advised by an adult tutor to apply for the course without having completed it as I would receive a conditional offer (the condition being that I would have to pass the level 2 numeracy!). :mad: It drives me mad!!! :mad:

exil

You should perhaps have taken GCSE Maths before applying.

I don't know why the tutor told you this anyway. He doesn't know the admissions policy of every university or college, whether the courses are oversubscribed, etc.

lday77

Unfortunately it's pre-requisite nowadays to have GCSE Maths, English and for some course Science. You should have been advised of this most Univeristy's tell you in their prospectus' before you even get the form. It's a real pain in the neck.

Can you explain to them your situation you're in, could they defer a place for you on the strength that you will do the GCSE before the next academic year?

lday77

I meant to say, my Mum is a Youth worker and does essentially the same job as the Social workers she works with and doesn't get paid much different either, and she hasn't got a degree. Do you have to go to university? Are there other vocational courses, I know there are numerous routes in and maybe a straight degree isn't going to be your best option (sorry I know that's not what you want to hear).

SamMoffatt28

It's ok now everything has worked out really well and I am happy to accept my 2nd choice offer. I now have my driving licence and a car so life is much easier too! I'm now looking forward to September!