Adult Learning, access courses, residential

Trollydolly_2

Right here goes.....

I currently work full time and have been told that i may be made redundant come October time. This has made me look into getting another job but ive found that as i dont have any A levels im limited to jobs paying approx £13,00. As i have just bought a house i need to be earning at least £15k a year as I am now.

Anyway i started thinking about going to learn. Obviously i couldnt pay my mortgage and learn so would have to rent out my house. So can anyone give me info on doing that?

Also ive looked at an access course in Social Science at the residential college in Harlech (wales). I wondered if anyone could give me advice about that course and if anyone has done it at Harlech id appreciate some info on that.

Also any info on Funding? Im 24, single, no kids and if i went to college i wouldnt be earning for a year. It is a residential course so what is involved with the costs of living there etc.

Basically im sooooo excited about doing this. I m almost glad im going to be made redundant! (obviously id miss out on the redundancy payout with having to leave early).

I think i need to do it now before im too old !!

So i want to hear from all you adult learners who have gone back and started again. Good or bad stories. Also tips on filling in the application, good sentances to use etc!!

Thanks guys and gals

TD xxxxx

Kruger

I cant give you any advice on renting your house out, but can give you an idea as to being older and moving away to go to uni.

I'm 27 now and have just finished 4 years at Leeds Uni, after previously working for 6 years in a job paying £18k a year.

I took a uni linked foundation course which was practically 3 A levels in a year (Maths/Chemistry/Biology),I moved 170 miles away from home as I was at the point in my life of wanting something challenging and completely different, after picking up knee cartilage injuries from working in the car trade, and generally being bored of my job, I decided to get out, I got the ball rolling with the advice of a friend who had done the same, apply now - worry about the funding later. (not really forward planning but hey!)

I was lucky in that before I went to uni I was able to clear up credit cards and loans etc and went with £800 cash in my pocket, and no commitments other than a mobile phone contract (ah the good old days!), that was the last time I was in credit.

I lived in Uni Halls which for me was excellent but might not be your cup of tea if your used to independance, I was the grandad of the block at 23, living mainly with 18/19/20 year olds, I had an excellent social life and have still got quite a few friends from the first year, I got by 'just' on 2 student overdrafts, a student loan and 2k credit card, paid my uni fees for the first year aswell, but managed not too work part time, in hindsight I should have worked part time all through uni, I earnt enough over vacations though in my old job to get by into the next year, first year of the uni course I again managed to get by without a job and have seemed to get by on luck when things have been very tight, I've had money (about £2500) from the access to learning fund and also another credit card.

If you get involved and go for the uni life your spending will gradually adjust to that of the people you are with, you'll drink more, and generally eat more take outs, but you'll know every cheap pint and food offer in town.

The last 18 months I've been working part time selling car insurance, it pays quite well and the hours have suited, I dramatically cut down spending on nights out and clothes and got the MSE bug, when I realised I had to clear about £6500 of overdrafts and credit cards, again a bit of luck with 5 numbers on the lottery saw £2k go straight away, but I've still managed to clear about £4k as I've just completed uni about £400 overdrawn.

Sorry its along post......but if you've got this far carry on, Uni for me now its all over has been worthwhile, its had its serious ups and downs and I've come close many times to quitting, due to money, workload, and wanting to go back to work etc, I've had really good support from friends and as mentioned somewhere else on this board, you'll have a love/hate relationship with your course - sleepness nights etc etc,

But now its all over looking back I'd reccommend it to anyone, I've got my 2.1 in Environmental Science, now just got to use it and start applying for jobs, as been too busy this year to sort anything out. I'd say my standard of living has improved since being a student, I dont have much money but I dont feel poor, if that makes sense, think seriously before you go though as from my initial foundation course the drop out rate is over 2/3's, and people mainly drop out due to money or workload stress.

sorry about the essay, but hope it gives some insight.

Trollydolly_2

Thank you so much for you reply Kruger. Its definatly made me want to go for it. Its funny looking at our ages it makes us sound reallllllly old but we are nowhere near! Dont think i feel like i should be an "adult learner" as such, i still feel like an 18 yr old lol.

Well i spoke to the admissions lady this morning and she sounds very positive about it all. I really cant wait!! Just hope i get in!

Skint_Student_7

Whilst I can't give you any information specific to your actual course, I have just completed a year long Access to Education and Teacher Training course at the age of 27, and am due to begin uni in September. As an Access course is classed as a course of further education and not higher education you will not be able to claim student loans from the Local Education Authority or student loans/credit cards from a bank. I have financed myself by claiming an Adult Learners Grant at £30 per week, I found out about this from my college but it can be dependant on what you have earnt in the previous financial year. Also, at the time I claimed this it was being piloted in certain areas one of which is where I live so you will have to check if this is available to you where you live.

I have been lucky to find part time jobs that fit around my course and have a very supportive partner. As I completed the course in one year I have found it to be very demanding, but more importantly very rewarding as I begin uni this September so don't let that put you off. many of the people on my course were single parents with jobs as well, but they are taking the same course over two years. Sorry if this is long winded - but basically it CAN be done whatever your circumstances, the best thing to do is contact the tutors who teach the course and your Local Education Authority.

Good luck! xx

juana

Hi, often uni courses start mid to late september. When you have had your offer from the course and the course start date, discuss with your employee representative (if you are in a consultation period) or HR department because you may still be able to negotiate an earlier end date and still take the redundancy. It's woth a try.