Financial help whilst doing degree?

storymaker

I'm after some advice if possible?

I'm 33 and married and I have a fairly decent job in Accounting but since I was at school I always wanted to be a teacher, now I have two young children it's changed my prespective on life and I'm thinking of following my dream.

I have two options

Option 1
It's been a while since school so I would need to brush up on a couple of GCSE's for a year and then spend the next two years studying AS & A Level part time whilst working.
Then I would need to take the leap and quit my job for a 3-4 year degree at University, before doing a PGCE.
I estimate around 7-8 years...

Option 2
I could continue part time education (evening classes) to become a qualified ACCA Accountant and get a Bsc in Accounting, whilst working.
Then as I understand it as my degree would not be close to what I want to teach (probably Primary education) then I could do subject enhancements in Maths, English etc for around 2 weeks each then do a PGCE.
I estimate 4-5 years...

Is anyone in a similar situation? Correct me if I've misunderstood the routes to a PGCE.

Does anyone know if I would be eligible for any financial help? Grant/Loan? If I decide to do a full time degree and quit my job.
My husband would be on around 20k and would be the only earner, keeping me and two children.

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

Option 3. Do a degree with the OU whilst you carry on working (choosing appropriate subjects) and then leave work and do a PGCE. Estimate 6/7 years with only one year without income.

Whichever route you choose you will need to have a GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English, Maths and a Science as well as considerable relevant experience (voluntary is fine) as primary teaching is very competitive.

Good luck.

MrsManda

If you've not done a degree before you'll get funding for the degree in terms of loans/grants but you are unlikely to get anything for the GCSEs and A-levels.
Information on what is currently available in terms of student finance (for Higher education) have a look at direct.gov HERE

As ONW said, the OU is also a good option which will allow you to continue working.

Have a look at www.tda.gov.uk for information on routes into teaching

storymaker

Option 3 is looking pretty good, thank you x

Probably a stupid question but is an OU degree as good as a Uni Degree?

I'm interested in the Maths and Statistics Degree which would be a lot cheaper than Uni.

MrsManda

storymaker wrote: »

Option 3 is looking pretty good, thank you x
Probably a stupid question but is an OU degree as good as a Uni Degree?
I'm interested in the Maths and Statistics Degree which would be a lot cheaper than Uni.

Yes, I'd say so. There's a lot more independence in your studying so requires more self motivation than a lot of other university courses which is a positive attribute for employers.

Oldernotwiser

storymaker wrote: »

Option 3 is looking pretty good, thank you x

Probably a stupid question but is an OU degree as good as a Uni Degree?

I'm interested in the Maths and Statistics Degree which would be a lot cheaper than Uni.

An OU degree is a university degree; the OU is recognised as being in the top 5 universities for teaching quality.

Just in case you haven't realised, you can start an OU degree without the requisite A levels.

nimbo

ooooh option 4...

Do a foundation degree - 1 year full time, while ensuring you have GCSE Maths, English (and science for little school)...

Do a Bachelors in Education which will take 3-4 years. Depends where you go.

Doing a degree part time with the OU can take up to six years. (You could do it quicker but working full time with kids as well just might be too much).

Also seriously look at job oppourtunities, as the PGCE has been funded for so long now there are in some areas a glut of teachers in subjects that are not considered to be shortage....

Athough if you taught maths at secondary school they are ATM offering gloden handshakes if you teach for 3 years or over.....

Indie_Kid

MrsManda wrote: »

Yes, I'd say so. There's a lot more independence in your studying so requires more self motivation than a lot of other university courses which is a positive attribute for employers.

OU degrees are part-time; so you can work and fit study around work.