Mature student to be who has already done a degree

frostyglow

I just spent about 30mins writing a long post to explain my situation, but I'll save all those who don't like reading long posts, it all got wiped when I clicked the button to preview it as I was asked to log in AGAIN.

So I'll keep it short and sweet:
I'm a mature student going back to college this year to study an Access course which will allow me to go back to uni the following year.

I have an existing student loan so I am not eligible for a new one and to my knowledge, not eligible for any sort of grant either (although I am going to get means tested to confirm this).

I recently opened a savings account in order to try and save the money I need to pay for my university tuition fees but progress is slow and I'm worried I won't have enough

As an absolute last resort I may have to work for another year (already worked 4 since graduating the first time) in a job I don't like to save up some more money. The problem with this is that I'm not conivnced I will actually go through with the whole uni thing if I leave it this long.

Any money savings tips would be greatly appreciated (I already susbscribe to the MSE weekly email). Many thanks!

student_advisor

hi

Why are you returning for a second degree and what degree will you be doing?

You seem to be aware of some of the rules around second degrees, but you need to be award that apart from a few exceptions, if you already have an honours degree, universities can (and in most cases do) charge international fees.

MrsManda

Have you thought about doing an OU degree? That way you can start now and keep working while you study to pay for fees etc...
You may even be able to use OU credits as part of a FT degree once you've saved the money to pay university fees (need to check this with your proposed university).

welshmoneylover

The Open University is the way to go, that way you can earn, gain experience and study all at the same time.

No wonder it's so popular right now

ajdj

Not sure why you need to do an access course if you already have a degree?

If you are keen to study a different subject have you investigated whether you could complete a Masters degree. Would probably look better on your cv than 2 undergraduate honours degrees and you would probably get some assistance with funding too.

olly300

OP it would be a good idea for you to post:
1. What degree you want to do
2. What degree you already have
3. What qualifications below degree level you have that got you on to the degree you have i.e. your A levels.

As other posters have stated it may not be necessary for you to do the Access Course at all as the qualifications you have already, or doing something else i.e. OU, taking part-time A level(s), doing a Masters may take you down the path you want to go.

frostyglow

Last time I went to uni I studied Business & Finance. I was discouraged from taking Art at A-level as I was told it would be too much work with my other subjects (Maths, Computing and Biology). I have (not very good) A-levels and 9 GCSE's all C and above.

I now wish I could go back to college and take Art as an A-level, then I would not have to do an Art Access course now.

I have already been accepted on an Art Access course, despite my previous degree qualification, due to the difference in the two subjects I guess.

I'm hoping and praying that the comment about international fees is mis-informed as that would be pretty much all my hopes and dreams down the toilet.

I would like to study either modelmaking or Interior Architecture at university this time round.

I will definitely look into the OU thing but due to the nature of the course I want to study, I'm not sure it would be possible?

Thanks for all your comments!

bestpud

frostyglow wrote: »

I now wish I could go back to college and take Art as an A-level, then I would not have to do an Art Access course now.

I have already been accepted on an Art Access course, despite my previous degree qualification, due to the difference in the two subjects I guess.

I'm hoping and praying that the comment about international fees is mis-informed as that would be pretty much all my hopes and dreams down the toilet.

I would like to study either modelmaking or Interior Architecture at university this time round.

I will definitely look into the OU thing but due to the nature of the course I want to study, I'm not sure it would be possible?

Thanks for all your comments!

Have you contacted the uni(s) you are interested in and asked them about this?

They will be able to tell you what the fees are (it is correct they can charge international fees for second degrees but not all do yet).

They will also talk to you about entry requirements as many are more flexible for mature students.

I would strongly advise you to contact them if you haven't already.

frostyglow

Thank you Bestpud, I've got a heap of prospetuses at home and I've just about finalised my short list of universities which do the courses I want.

I'll try contacting them asap.

koopa_coffee

bestpud wrote: »

Have you contacted the uni(s) you are interested in and asked them about this?

They will be able to tell you what the fees are (it is correct they can charge international fees for second degrees but not all do yet).

They will also talk to you about entry requirements as many are more flexible for mature students.

I would strongly advise you to contact them if you haven't already.

Universities may not charge international fees but if you have an equivalent qualification to the one you will be undertaking i.e. in your case a BSc/BA, then they will charge you more than the standard amount of tuition.

olly300

frostyglow wrote: »

Thank you Bestpud, I've got a heap of prospetuses at home and I've just about finalised my short list of universities which do the courses I want.

I'll try contacting them asap.

Have you checked there are no colleges near you that do part-time Art 'A' level or equivalent?

That way you could still work and study.

I knew someone who did this before doing a part-time Art degree. They were lucky as they lived near a college where it was feasible to do this.