If you were me, what would you do in my situation?

sapphireeye

Right, in November I applied to university as a mature student of 22 having finally decided on what I want to do with my life. The degree I've applied for is very competitive and to train me for a health profession, so I have a set career plan which I'm very enthusiastic about. In line with this, I thought it would be useful to get experience of what working in the profession is like, I saw an assistant job advertised within the profession in December which I didn't need to be qualified for, was offered the job in January and have just started on 1st March. In the meantime I've been offered places at a few universities (including my favourite choice) to study for the degree starting in September this year.

Therefore I'm now in a predicament. Do I accept my place at university and leave my assistant job in September after only 6 months, where they don't know that I've applied to university because I hadn't heard a peep by the time I accepted the job and I honestly didn't think I had the right experience to get a place on the degree course anyway, turns out I was wrong.
OR do I ask about deferring my place at university, go next year instead (if they'll let me defer) and stay in my job for a bit longer.

Financially, I'm entitled to an NHS bursary, they also pay my tuition fees and I have quite a lot of money saved up so I can easily afford to go this year. Because the NHS pays for all people within the UK to do the degree and because I've been working for 3 years and count as an independent student I don't need employer sponsorship or anything and I can't progress any further than my current assistant role without a degree.

So I need your help, if you were in my situation, what would you do?

dmg24

I would go this year. There is no guarantee that funding will be the same next year, and from personal experience, deferring for one year often turns into longer!

Puzzledbubbles

Well, you dont need to decide now, you can defer up to a month or so before you are due to start a course in my experience.

Therefore, if it were me, i would go to the job, work for a month or so and see how it goes, then decide.

I dont think i would be able to make a decision without having some experience of what the job itself was like (but thats just me)

HTH

[Deleted User]

Definately go this year - if they offered you the place they must think you have the right background already, so you don't need the assistant job experience to get it.

MrsManda

I'd carry on working but aim to go to university in September. The experience will do you good, both in terms of increasing your chances of getting a job during your uni holidays/after university, and in ensuring you really want to do it as a career.

elfen

Aim to go to uni, but let your work know as they may be able to help you with giving you hours around it or in holidays, so you're getting experience as you learn.

Morgan_Ree

Definitely go this year!

No point putting it off!

Voyager2002

Discuss the situation, both with people at work and with a tutor at your university.

southoftheriver

What would be the real benefit of deferring your place if you have the funds and want to go?

sapphireeye

Thanks everyone, it seems the general consensus is to go this year.

PuzzledBubbles - is that if I accept the place then I can still defer in August if I wanted to?
Southoftheriver - There isn't really much benefit in deferring my place other than having more relevant work experience which could help set me above the rest when I qualify. I think I'm just really worried about resigning in July/August and basically wasting my employers time! I know they shouldn't look on me too unfavourably since I'm going off to train properly in the profession and not just ditching it altogether but they will have spent all this time training me and then I'm just going to leave... But on the other hand I'm a bit concerned that if I don't go this year then I'll talk myself out of it next year and never end up going!

I'm so confused, hence why I wanted some other people to put themselves in my shoes and tell me what they would do!

southoftheriver

When I was in my gap year I had a good paying job that I enjoyed. I nearly deferred my uni place and stayed another year. The money was a pull for me which it isn't necessarily for you, but you can't put off your career because of how your employers may feel. The work you do at uni will more than cover the experience you have as an assistant.

Good luck, it is a good position to be in.