Mum thinking of going to Uni

Zack1

codwidow wrote: »

I have been talking to my friend who did a full time access course and she says it was very intensive and it was before she had kids and it was still a lot to take on. Does anyone have experience of the part time access course ? Would I get EMA if I did the part time access course ? Thanks for all your replies.

I think doing a part time access may be the way forward I dont want to bite off more than I can chew, if both my kids were at school I think it might be easier logistically but my youngest does not start school till next Sept 2011 and as much as I want to go to uni and get my access or foundation year underway I dont need to rush it and miss out on my little ones last years of being at home

I believe EMA is for lower level stuff and you would get Adult Learning Grant (which is basically the same thing). Not 100% sure on that, but on my old course that's what I was told (I wasn't doing BSc Hons at first but moved after a week so never got to actually experience it)

As others have said a lot of full time courses are packed down to make it easier for people. With my BSc course we have many mature students on the course, partly because it's 3 days a week full time (a full 9-6 day, 4 hours each day for 2 other days), so best to check and see if you can get a provisional timetable (I was told mine in May and that was only because of a visit, may be possible to get it early)

daisyloo

Have you considered Open University? I did a couple of their courses which my uni were happy to accept intead of an access course (not HR though)...

just thought it might be worth thinking about while the kids are so little. I am now at Uni an hour away from home but my youngest is 8. One big thing to consider - and the hardest to find childcare for - are inset days.

Good luck in your studies ...

Indie_Kid

You can't get EMA if you're over 18. (or was it 19?)

surfsister

just a thought but if you can get in this year for the degree you will get better finance as hubby a student so I assume lowish income.What is the degree you want to do? They may well take you without traditional qualifications.

codwidow

yes I would get better finance if I do the foundation this year, I will have to ask at the uni

Oldernotwiser

codwidow wrote: »

Ok. I guess this would be worth asking about the part time options then as well .Thanks for your reply

On an Access course you'll normally get half terms; you don't usually have reading weeks at this level.

One year Access courses can be very intense; many of my clients used to tell me their feet didn't touch the ground in the first few weeks and you run into big problems if one of the children is ill as you don't have the time to catch up.

Most decent universities won't take mature students without recent qualifications unless they have relevant experience; most people would flounder on a degree course unless they were adequately prepared for it.

Just as a matter of interest (and out of nosiness) why the switch from TU to HR? Is it the "poacher turned gamekeeper" syndrome?

codwidow

I am the first to admit the idea of going to Uni is still not set in stone. I always enjoyed my time with the TU and in particular the employment law training so decided to look into a HR degree. As I say nothing is finalised and its just an idea at the moment and am open to other ideas, I have booked an appointment at the uni as I realise I could do with a bit of advice

Happy_Girl_2

I second the Open University suggestion as it will allow you to study around your children. If your household income is less than 330k you will get some financial assistance, and can pay for any course fee balance in instalments or using tesco clubcard vouchers (£1 voucher worth £4 of OU fees)

Have a chat to your Uni and ask if you can replace the Access course with an OU course. Then you can start Uni when your childcare issues are resolved a bit by your youngerst going to school

superflygal

I agree OU is great. I'm doing a Science course (60 points) to gain access to Uni. The Uni have agreed this is fine. I just hope I get a place now!!

SFG x

paulak412

I am finishing of the 2nd yr in a p/t access course, i have a 2/12 yr olds son, speaking to people who have done it in 1 yr, they said that they would have preffered now to do in in 2 yrs because it was entering back into education after such a long gap as well as juggling coursewwork/revision and kids was quite hard to get used too. I attend my course 2 mornings a week, thankfully my parents mind my son (starts nursery this sept in time for uni ) i loved the course and was could to take me time into reentering education. i just got 5 conditional offers too. my advice is go for it, but be prepared for a lot of work if your going to do the 1 yr course.


good luck