Full time course starting Sept...

labyrinth84

Hi

I couldn't decide which forum to put this in... Student forums, or in here- a place full of working Mums like me. Hope I got it right, it's all abit confusing so please bear with me!

I currently work 40+ hours a week. My partner is self-employed. I'm currently doing evening classes to improve my GCSE results in English and Maths (need better ones for the Uni I want to study at) to enable me to start a 'full-time' Access to Uni course in September. I was planning on doing the 3-days at college and working as much as possible around it, ideally 4 days to keep on top of finances...

I spoke to a course adviser at my chosen college today, and she said that if I attempted to work 4 days aswel as 3 days in college I would not be giving myself the opportunity to do as well as I could, as I need to dedicate at least 15 hours a week of study time at home to complete the workload of the 5 subjects my course would contain.

I don't want to fail, or get scrape-through grades. But I also want to work.

If I dropped my hours to say, 16hours to give myself some study time, would it be possible to apply for a student loan to help top-up my wages? I'm classed as a mature student, will be paying £650.00 for the years fees and wondered if a student loan is an option?

That way, debt wouldn't grow too much and I'd be paying it all back. We have too many financial commitments for me to 'live' off my partner and I don't want my child or his 2 children suffering because I want to study, so if a student loan isn't an option- I'd keep working the maximum...

Course advisor didn't know much about this, so thought maybe one or two of you may have been in similar circumstances and would know the best option?

Thank you for your time

Dunroamin

labyrinth84 wrote: »

Hi

I couldn't decide which forum to put this in... Student forums, or in here- a place full of working Mums like me. Hope I got it right, it's all abit confusing so please bear with me!

I currently work 40+ hours a week. My partner is self-employed. I'm currently doing evening classes to improve my GCSE results in English and Maths (need better ones for the Uni I want to study at) to enable me to start a 'full-time' Access to Uni course in September. I was planning on doing the 3-days at college and working as much as possible around it, ideally 4 days to keep on top of finances...

I spoke to a course adviser at my chosen college today, and she said that if I attempted to work 4 days aswel as 3 days in college I would not be giving myself the opportunity to do as well as I could, as I need to dedicate at least 15 hours a week of study time at home to complete the workload of the 5 subjects my course would contain.

I don't want to fail, or get scrape-through grades. But I also want to work.

If I dropped my hours to say, 16hours to give myself some study time, would it be possible to apply for a student loan to help top-up my wages? I'm classed as a mature student, will be paying £650.00 for the years fees and wondered if a student loan is an option?

That way, debt wouldn't grow too much and I'd be paying it all back. We have too many financial commitments for me to 'live' off my partner and I don't want my child or his 2 children suffering because I want to study, so if a student loan isn't an option- I'd keep working the maximum...

Course advisor didn't know much about this, so thought maybe one or two of you may have been in similar circumstances and would know the best option?

Thank you for your time

Apparently student loans are being introduced this year for Access students, a link was given on a thread on the Student Board. I'll go and look for it.

ETA

Here you go - posts #14 and 16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4325281

labyrinth84

Dunroamin wrote: »

Apparently student loans are being introduced this year for Access students, a link was given on a thread on the Student Board. I'll go and look for it.

ETA

Here you go - posts #14 and 16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4325281

Brilliant, thank you so much for that. Really appreciate it

NorthernStar_2

I'm on an Access course and the college classed it as full time but the job centre class it has part time as I'm in college 13 hours a week. So I can still claim benefits. Not sure if this helps. There is people on my course working as well but they do struggle as an Access course does involve a lot of work at home. I'm just applying for uni and I'm so excited. It'll be worth it in the end. I'm 33 btw

princessdon

I wouldn't worry about working those hours, many work full time. It's about making sure you have support and some space for a study plan.

Good luck

fishybusiness

You will probably find you need to drop your hours once you are at university.

The workload outside of university contact time is quite horrendous at times!

pandaspot

I work full time,37+ hours a week as a ctb/hb assessor and am doing access to nursing part time in evenings. I am not finding it too difficult to manage but have changed my hours on a Friday so I have the afternoon to do course work, you should be ok working 16 hours p/w. they do say to study 15 hrs per week at home, tbh I haven't, and have had all distinctions

Good luck

Dunroamin

princessdon wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about working those hours, many work full time. It's about making sure you have support and some space for a study plan.

Good luck

I'm afraid my experience is different and I don't believe that 3 days in college, 4 days employment and being a parent is a realistic combination.

The only students I knew who worked full time whilst doing Access were those who were young, single and who had already studied at this level.

The standard of Access courses does vary enormously.

flea72

Access courses recommend that you spend the same amount of time on self study, as the hours you spend in class. So all-in about 30hrs a week on a f/t course.

I agree with above. if you work 4days and are in college for 3 where does your homework and family life fit into that?

It may be possible to work if you do the course p/t over 2yrs, but I can't see it working if you do it full time. You will really be over doing it and your grades would suffer

Most people manage 16hrs work alongside access course, but even then, some weeks things will get tough. Unfortunately essays never seem to be staggered right, and regularly fall at the same time

Also living on 16hrs money should give you an idea on how your financial situation will be whilst at uni because your income may be even less then

labyrinth84

Thanks for the advice. I'm 28 so I'm in a rush to get this access course out of the way so I can finally go to Uni. I had my daughter at 20 and separated with her dad by 21 so I've concentrated on working to keep our heads above water...just feel like its my time to work on what I want to be. But yes, maybe trying for 4 day working week, 15/16hr college course, 15 hour study and family life is asking abit much from myself...I'm just so desperate to get to Uni!
I want to work in Mental Health units in prisons...so it's an access course, 4 years in Mental Health Nursing, then a top-up year to learn the forensic/criminal side. So I guess silly hours, and being emotionally and physically drained is something I should probably start getting used to!

All advice/input really appreciated, thank you

Dunroamin

Why four years to qualify in mental health nursing - it's usually three.