Applying to University

Oldernotwiser

fleagle21 wrote: »

Def correct about different entry for mature students - due to my absolutely no A-level situation(!) I did an access programme, which on successful completion from may-aug got me a place that september.

Doing an Access course isn't really direct entry; an Access courses are an alternative entry qualification.

fleagle21

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Doing an Access course isn't really direct entry; an Access courses are an alternative entry qualification.

Yes, I know - my access course was used as my entry qualification in place of a-levels. Direct entry usually means you get to skip a year (or that's the case in Scotland anyway, you go in at second year rather than first).

Mips

Thanks for all of your replies.

I want to go to university and study because I would like a degree in something I enjoy, but something relevant. #

I don't want to spend 3-4 years of my life studying something that bores me, I want to be interested in it.

I am a qualified mortgage advisor and soon to have enough qualifications to be a Financial Advisor - as far as I am aware, despite having these qualifications (and letting me start off in £30k roles) they are not enough to get me directly into university.

The access course I am doing this September will let me begin to apply to University from October 2010 (for 2011 entry to university).

I want to progress with education - I want my children to be proud of me, and yes. I want a degree.

Oldernotwiser

Dippychick wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies.

I want to go to university and study because I would like a degree in something I enjoy, but something relevant. #

I don't want to spend 3-4 years of my life studying something that bores me, I want to be interested in it.

I am a qualified mortgage advisor and soon to have enough qualifications to be a Financial Advisor - as far as I am aware, despite having these qualifications (and letting me start off in £30k roles) they are not enough to get me directly into university.

The access course I am doing this September will let me begin to apply to University from October 2010 (for 2011 entry to university).

I want to progress with education - I want my children to be proud of me, and yes. I want a degree.

Thanks for the further information Dippy. An Access course is likely to be the best way to go and I'm sure you'll find it excellent preparation for degree level study. Will it include History as one of your subjects? If so, the fact that you haven't got GCSE or A level in the subject is irrelevant.

If History is what you want to study then I can't see much point in applying for anything else and it makes your Personal Statement difficult to write if you're applying for different things. As you'll need to be writing this in about 3/4 months, I'd give some thought to more concrete reasons for your choice as, at the moment, it seems a bit vague.

Good luck.

bestpud

I strongly suggest going along to a uni open day and having a chat with them.

They usually have lecturers available for each course and also admissions staff who will give general advice on applications/personal statements. You can also get a good feel for the uni if you are able to apply for more than one.

I didn't study history at GCSE level and didn't do 'A' levels but I did do history on my Access course and that was told they may ask me to write an entry essay if I applied for history.

I know someone who got onto a psychology course by writing an essay but she had completed 'A' levels years earlier (not in psychology though).

At my uni, the careers department are happy to advise on applications and/or personal statements prior to entry so it may be worth contacting them now and asking about steps you can take over the summer to improve your application?

elissadaniels

Go to university in Nottingham or Leeds.......both places are amazing and are well respected universities too

stitch26

Hi, just thought I would add some encouragement as I'm a mature History student about to enter my final year. It is, as has been suggested, hard work, but this is mostly to do with focus and time management. Generally speaking you will find that your experience of life will help enormously as a mature student and background reading is the key to success. If you are passionate about the subject you will be fine but try and pick a course which covers periods that you are interested in, for example anyone over 30 has a natural advantage with Cold War modules as they have lived through part of it and its not about war so don't be put off.

Good luck