Going back to education.

rossi789

I am 21 years old and left the education system when I was 17, half way through my AS Levels. After spending 4 years as a Chef I am realizing what a mistake that was. I left school with 10 GCSE's including A's in Maths and English so I'm beginning to feel I am wasting my talents in my current job.
For the past 6 months or so I have been trying to get into various financial jobs. With a combination of few opportunities and not enough qualifications/experience, I have been unsuccessful.

With this in mind I have been researching further education with learn direct and OU. As I work flexible hours, it's unlikely that I can attend face to face education so online courses seem the best option.
I am wondering if anyone has any advice when looking at this route? Any experience with it? Other companies you know of? The cost of it all?

Thanks.

ray_of_sunshine

Hi i was looking to go back into education, just part time courses.
Tried several, 2 were cancelled because no one could afford the courses, fingers crossed the other one i am going to do will run if they have 8.
I wanted to do a Chef's course at my local college, a full time course which starts September. cost £900!!

I have looked at some on line courses, some are not quite too expensive and you print off your certificates at the end if you pass.
Some part time course have already started, full time ones start up in September.
Your council will have a list of free courses on their website.
In my area they all started last week!
best of luck

jx:A

moose1982

Bare in mind that with the OU, you may well have exams to attend, so you may need to ensure your employer is fine with you booking the odd day off for the exams.

scoobs078

I have recently gone back to study after many years with the OU and can say they are really helpful and supportive. I think what is important is you decide WHAT you want to study first as home study takes a bit more motivation than day classes. The OU have an eligability checker that runs through the fees and grants that you may have to pay or be entitled too without any commitment so maybe that would be a start ?
Really hope you find what your looking for :-D

dizzyrascal

The OU is excellent, especially if you can't attend evening classes because of shift work. You can get financial help and from this year onwards you can get student loans for part time study too. Course prices are going up inline with other universities though.
You can start with short taster courses or 10 credit courses which you can use towards your qualification. Then you can study to certificate level, diploma or degree, so you accumulate qualifications as you go along. Useful if you take a break for any reason.
More importantly, once you have got going you can say on your CV or application forms that you are "working towards" a degree (if that is what you decide to do)
The fact that you are studying in you're own time will show people that you are determined, organised and self motivated.
Be prepared to spend the full 6 years studying for a degree (part time) because it is hard work and you will need time to develop your learning styles and get the work done to a good standard.
Good luck with what ever you do

KiKi

OU is outstanding. I'm on my third course and my second qualification with them. Great quality materials, Huge range of courses, flexibility if you want to do a qual or if you just want to learn for fun.

I've used other distance learning programmes like ICS who were horrific. Shoddy, unprofessional and completely disinterested.

Go for it, if it's something you want to do; better to do it than regret not doing it!

KiKi

agrinnall

My advice would be to get A-levels while you are still working then if you want to study for a degree become a full time student like everyone else does, it may be a bit difficult to contemplate after several years of financial independence but university isn't just about the qualification, it's the overall experience as well. And as an experienced chef you should be well placed to get a part time job to help support yourself while you're there.

Oldernotwiser

agrinnall wrote: »

My advice would be to get A-levels while you are still working then if you want to study for a degree become a full time student like everyone else does, it may be a bit difficult to contemplate after several years of financial independence but university isn't just about the qualification, it's the overall experience as well. And as an experienced chef you should be well placed to get a part time job to help support yourself while you're there.

That would be a very expensive and long winded route to take if it could be avoided.

Annisele

What sort of "financial jobs" are you looking for?

Finance is a wide sector. For some jobs I'd say you need a degree, for others I'd recommend specific professional qualifications, and for others I'd say just keep applying until you find somewhere.

mishmogs

There is a training company called Kaplan that do all manner of financial and accountancy training and they have funding for adults to do courses. have a look at their website as it may be of interest to you.

ellieellieellie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

That would be a very expensive and long winded route to take if it could be avoided.

Not necessarily. Studying at a "physical" university can be more expensive, yes, but courses starting in September 2012 at the OU will cost £5000 for the equivalent of a year's full time study, so can't really be considered cheap!

As for being long winded, a full time course at a "physical" uni takes 3 years (or four if there's a placement year involved), whereas a part time course with the OU usually takes six. If getting a degree asap is the aim of the game, going to uni full time is probably the best route.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best route for the OP