no qualifications mature student wanting to studyat uni..how?

Katexx

cmw1212 wrote: »

Has he looked at the open university, this is not a degree but it might be something he would be interested in doing.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/s10.htm

I agree - this is likely to be the quickest option as he can go straight to uni without an Access Course/GCSEs/A-Levels. He could do an Open Degree made up of whichever modules interest him most (full list of science modules is here - looks like there are quite a few relevant ones!).

V_Chic_Chick

He's always going to need an level of physics & maths skills equivalent to A Levels. I know several physics undergrads, and even though they have A* grades in the relevant A Levels, they often struggle with the degree content.

The problem with physics is that it very much builds on previous study, in a way that history etc doesn't quite so much. Trying to run before you can walk only leads to falling flat on your face ... do an access course.

denla

Most Access courses cover GCSE math grade C equivalent which is ok for general degrees, but for science degrees it's better to spend another two years studing A levels. He'll want that B in math at least and a physics A level. Else he'd struggle.

k12479

I'm very much in favour of education, but I would have to question what your friend wants to achieve. If it's studying purely out of personal interest, then that's great, he should go for it. If, however, the aim is some sort of career in Astrophysics with dreams of working in some remote telescope somewhere, then after 3+ years of work and expense the reality may fall somewhat short of expectations. To progress down that career will probably require several more years of graduate study, post-docs, etc. A more transferable numerate degree (physics, maths, engineering, etc.) could be a better option.

InsideInsurance

jeffy22 wrote: »

He is obsessed with anything to do with space and the universe and reads books and books on the subject.

First of all make sure that what he believes "astrophysics" is and what he will do at uni are the same same thing. Some people have very misguided ideas of what is included in certain subjects... a friend went to do Fine Art thinking they'd spend all the time painting rather than the reality which is keeping journals and doing analysis/ critics etc

Secondly, admissions people possibly arent great and getting in contact with the department may be difficult but it is worth a try or alternatively go to one of the target unis on an open day and speak to the people.

I agree with others that the main challenge with be the mathematics and almost certainly whatever route he takes in he will need to take courses to get himself up to at least A-level standard (even if its not with the qualification)

tonyh66

sounds like a pipedream to me, there are online astronomy courses run by uk universities out there. If he is serious he needs to do the research. He should join or if he is so into it already, be a member of stargazers forum, in the astro lounge, there is a thread where people are doing these online courses, again he needs to do the research if serious.

madison-nyc

Dunroamin wrote: »

Very few colleges offer Science Access courses and even fewer offer Maths at the appropriate level.

are they really rare? i thought it was quite standard to do the access course and you can either take the health or science pathway? the maths element of the course brings you up to a gcse B grade too

1940sGal

Mature students do not necessarily need the qualifications that younger students do. I was 26 when I went to uni and, although I had been to college for two years previous to that, I still didn't have many qualifications. A handful of poor GCSEs from yonks ago, that was it.

I got in on my abilities and passion shown for the subject.

dizzyrascal

1940sGal wrote: »

Mature students do not necessarily need the qualifications that younger students do. I was 26 when I went to uni and, although I had been to college for two years previous to that, I still didn't have many qualifications. A handful of poor GCSEs from yonks ago, that was it.

I got in on my abilities and passion shown for the subject.

That can be true of some subjects (I believe you did photography) but the subject under discussion here is a highly academic one.

I'm not saying that the OP's friend should not look into the possibility of doing a course or degree in the subject, but traditional universities may require some proof of academic achievement, otherwise there is a strong likelihood that they will struggle and leave the course.

denla

1940sGal wrote: »

Mature students do not necessarily need the qualifications that younger students do. I was 26 when I went to uni and, although I had been to college for two years previous to that, I still didn't have many qualifications. A handful of poor GCSEs from yonks ago, that was it.

I got in on my abilities and passion shown for the subject.

You've been to college for two years so I'm guessing you have an HND. That's enough for entry to most degree courses, but unless OP has science related work experience he won't be given leniency.