Funding a year off for a career change

CrustyMcMuffin

Hi

I'm seriously considering applying to do a PGDE next year, probably in Primary Education but I haven't ruled out Secondary specialising in Computing. Anyway, at the moment I am the sole bread winner, my wife looks after our two kids.

I've done some research into the PGDE course content and it looks like doing work during the course is out so I'm racking my brains to think of ways to fund the year out. I was wondering if anyone who has done, or is doing, something similar managed it? I see there are bursaries available in England and Wales but can't find details of a similar scheme in Scotland.

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

There must be finance to support the PGDE or Scotland would have no teachers!

Edit: I enterede "PGDE Scotland and the first hit was

www.teachinginscotland.com/tis/142.29.35.html which seems to have the information you require.

TheJonsterMonster

That was my recommendation but I can't post links! There's a helpful FAQ section on that website.

CrustyMcMuffin

I've read that page before, and from the looks of it that is for the SAAS to pay the tuition fees, I'm a little old for the Young Students' bursary or loan. This scheme in England and Wales shows that student loans and bursaries are available.

I'll contact SAAS nearer the time, I was just looking to see if there are other options out there.

Oldernotwiser

CrustyMcMuffin wrote: »

I've read that page before, and from the looks of it that is for the SAAS to pay the tuition fees, I'm a little old for the Young Students' bursary or loan. This scheme in England and Wales shows that student loans and bursaries are available.

I'll contact SAAS nearer the time, I was just looking to see if there are other options out there.

Student Loans are available whatever age you are. From the SAAS website:


"If you are taking a PGDE, the support arrangements will be the same as for an undergraduate course.
If you are studying in Scotland this will be tuition fees and a student loan. You may also be entitled to a bursary and any supplementary grants that apply to you.
If you are studying at a UK institution outside Scotland, you can apply for a loan to pay your fees and a student loan for living costs. You may also be entitled to a bursary and any supplementary grants that apply to you. "

flutterbyuk25

I took a career break for 4 months last year to work abroad. I funded this by basically living very cheaply for 6 months beforehand! I would advise that even if you do get grants etc that you try and save up as much as possible before you start the course! You don't mention your personnal situation eg rent/mortgage/family/monthly outgoings, so maybe worthwhile you posting an SOA on one of the other boards once you have decided and know what money you are going to have per month, so that people here can help you cut back.

It's much easier to save now beforehand, and start cutting back, rather than when you are on the course.

I started taking lunch to work, and put the £3/day that I would have spent in a savings account. I worked out a basic monthly budget to live off and saved the rest of my wages. I worked overtime as often as I could and saved this money. I took on a temporary 2nd job at xmas and easter, and saved this money.

I transfered the excess from my wages into a savings account on payday so it wasn't there tempting me to spend it! But I could always transfer some back if required.

Another great thing I did was have a massive clearout and sold hundreds of things on ebay, amazon marketplace, play and greenmetropolis. I must have raised £500 on this alone. It becomes very addictive though!

With relation to grants etc, speak to the student loans people in Scotland and maybe a careers advice service. I know that here in Wales you get more money if you do secondary rather than primary, and that there are more secondary jobs available, though follow your heart and do what you want to do.

HTH and good luck

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