Mature Student Funding

Dunroamin

Matthew_c wrote: »

Moving on from the funding, jobwise - If you have had to work whilst studying what have you done???.Its been a long time since I've been on minimum wage !

Are there any skills you've gained from your construction course that you could use on a self employed basis?

When I was a student, many moons ago, I did cleaning, worked on the till in a garage and, of course, did the Christmas post.

amiehall

It's worth considering trying to get your current employer to consider giving you part-time work. I managed to get my employer to offer me this when I started to study. If they like you, it can be better for them than to lose you altogether.... The pay is likely to be better than you can find in a casual bar job or whatever.

bauhaus_modern

if you're looking to go into building surveying or something like that - go straight to uni. an HND might give you second year access to a degree but it'll take you 2 years to build up that access.
try your local council to see if they'd give you a job and put you through a degree at the same time. failing that you may have fees to pay, no income other than those independently sourced via http://www.turn2us.org.uk/ or via your own uni's bursary/hardship department (your age will help here). you should be able to access debt in the form of student loans.

My partner did an ONC, HND in built Environment then a degree in Building Surveying and a city and guilds in autocad... but these were the days in which we could just about live on a grant. in the present, i'm in a crappy funding situation too. my PhD funding has ended and i'm living like many other students on zero income and scraps from my partner and parent - not a great situation to be in when one is pushing 40. so you have my empathy on your plight.

For extra income, see your student union. they may have jobs that would allow you to be social whilst earning a reasonable income. student mentoring, working in your union bar etc... these pennies all add up.

it's great to see folk like yourself pushing forward with education despite the governments concerted attempts to whisk opportunities away from us. you have my utmost admiration.