has anybody done a degree then gone back to college? financial advice needed!

katy1987

Hey everyone,

I was hoping for a bit of advice.

Having just completed a degree (English), I am planning to apply for an Art foundation course at college (which is what I was considering doing instead of the degree because I love both subjects). I am aware that as a FE course, the fees are £840 and payable by me. I also know that I wouldn't be eligible for an Adult Learning Grant as I already have a degree.

The course is full time. I really want to do it, I love Art and feel like I could do well at it, but I don't know how I could afford it!

Has anyone got a degree and then gone back to college? How did you afford it?

I'm perfectly willing to work part time to supplement myself but I don't know if I'd earn enough to live on. And I don't think you can get benefits or anything like that in this situation.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, although I do understand that it was my choice to do the degree I ended up doing. Thanks!

Lokolo

You don't get any funding for Art Foundation no matter what you've done. If you are under 19 you get course fees for free. You can claim EMA I think if you are that age too.

Other than that, save save save and go and do it.

I think a job for a year might be a better idea than going in September.

student_advisor

Is the course available part-time over two years? We offer it both full & part-time so students have the choice of which ever suits them better. That way, students who would struggle with living costs & work/course balance can fund themselves more easily.

Remember, if you study at less than 16 hours per week at FE, you are classed as part-time regardless of how the college designates the course. This means that you would be eligible for housing benefit, JSA (if no job).

Can you move back in with the folks? It seems a popular option!

katy1987

thanks for that advice. i think it's probably best for me to just get a job! the art course idea feels like a bit of a pipe-dream; maybe one day i'll get together the funds and do it but it isn't really a realistic option right now.

it was 16.5 hours a week! just shy of getting JSA etc. and i wouldn't be able to move in with mother, too far away. not to worry- thanks for the advice!