Second degree in Social Work - funding questions

ally1986

Hi there,

I am after some advice about the situation I find myself in. I am 28 and I completed my first degree five years ago. I say completed but I actually flopped spectacularly badly and after achieving a First in my 1st and 2nd years, I only actually came out with a Geography BSc degree (no honours). I'm not one for a sob story but I became a full time carer in my final year as my partner fell ill so my studies took somewhat of a backseat to my personal life.

After being a carer for the past five years I have realised I would love to be a Social Worker but I don't have the 2:2 degree to do a postgraduate course (although I know academically I am capable) or the money (£8k a year?!) to do an undergraduate course.

My first degree was when tuition fees were capped (I only paid around £1100 a year) and because I was living with my parents I was not eligible for a tuition fee loan and only received a maintenance loan (which I am still paying back). Does anyone know that because I didn't get the tuition fee loan for my first degree, does this mean I am eligible for it in a second degree? I think I would definitely qualify for it as we are a low-income household, my partner doesn't work and I am still his carer.

If not I think I will have to go down the Open University route and use some of my credits from my first degree then fund it with a Barclays' Career Loan. I just wish I hadn't have done my first degree as now it feels like I just went to university for the sake of it without really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I have learnt that most 18/19 year olds don't have the skills or experience to know what they want to do so choosing a degree/life path at that age is a bit daunting!

Thanks in advance and apologies for the rambling post...

agrinnall

Have you actually asked at any of the universities where you might consider studying whether the 2:2 requirement for the Masters is set in stone? You may find that if you have relevant experience that may be accepted instead.

missbiggles1

ally1986 wrote: »

Hi there,

I am after some advice about the situation I find myself in. I am 28 and I completed my first degree five years ago. I say completed but I actually flopped spectacularly badly and after achieving a First in my 1st and 2nd years, I only actually came out with a Geography BSc degree (no honours). I'm not one for a sob story but I became a full time carer in my final year as my partner fell ill so my studies took somewhat of a backseat to my personal life.

After being a carer for the past five years I have realised I would love to be a Social Worker but I don't have the 2:2 degree to do a postgraduate course (although I know academically I am capable) or the money (£8k a year?!) to do an undergraduate course.

My first degree was when tuition fees were capped (I only paid around £1100 a year) and because I was living with my parents I was not eligible for a tuition fee loan and only received a maintenance loan (which I am still paying back). Does anyone know that because I didn't get the tuition fee loan for my first degree, does this mean I am eligible for it in a second degree? I think I would definitely qualify for it as we are a low-income household, my partner doesn't work and I am still his carer.

If not I think I will have to go down the Open University route and use some of my credits from my first degree then fund it with a Barclays' Career Loan. I just wish I hadn't have done my first degree as now it feels like I just went to university for the sake of it without really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I have learnt that most 18/19 year olds don't have the skills or experience to know what they want to do so choosing a degree/life path at that age is a bit daunting!

Thanks in advance and apologies for the rambling post...

You can only do the OU Social Work degree if you're sponsored by an employer, you can't do it independently, neither, I'm afraid, will you get funding as you're already a graduate.

I have to add that, if you're your partner's carer you may have problems with the workload of any social work qualification and also with employment as one. Is his or her condition likely to improve?

ally1986

missbiggles1 wrote: »

You can only do the OU Social Work degree if you're sponsored by an employer, you can't do it independently, neither, I'm afraid, will you get funding as you're already a graduate.

I have to add that, if you're your partner's carer you may have problems with the workload of any social work qualification and also with employment as one. Is his or her condition likely to improve?

I discovered that this morning on their website. I might have to try going into a support worker role and entering through employment.

His condition has improved dramatically over the past two years which has made me start to think about my options. I have had to work full time to support us both so I am used to juggling a lot but I do appreciate what you are saying.

Oh to be 18 again and know what I know now!

ally1986

agrinnall wrote: »

Have you actually asked at any of the universities where you might consider studying whether the 2:2 requirement for the Masters is set in stone? You may find that if you have relevant experience that may be accepted instead.

A few institutions have said they wouldn't accept my application because of the academic requirement but I found one that is a bit more lenient so I will apply.

Thanks for your reply.

LL30

It's definitely worth inquiring. I got into a red brick to do my MA in Social Work with a 2:2, and they were asking for a 2:1. They looked at my experience and decided to let me have a shot at the interview and written test - must have done alright as I'm due to finish soon. I've loved it, but oh my, believe every word you hear about it being hard work! Good luck

ally1986

The frustrating thing is because I did so well in my first and second year I got offered a place on an overseas exchange programme for my third year. It was my fourth year that things fell apart. I often think if I'd have just finished my degree in my third year I'd at least have a decent honours degree. But things happen for a reason I guess.

Antispam

smithy8 :scammer and :spam:mer

nimbo

It's worth having a look at what the individual unis say as the fees have gone up this year there is a good chance that there will be less people applying... (I know the uni I am leaving now has had a lot fewer applications for both the MA and the BSC)...

I will say having just finished my BSc in Social work (alongside the masters students) having any kind of life outside the course can be very difficult - people with full time caring responsibilities were particularly stressed and at points the staff may not have been as supportive as you would expect from such a 'caring profession'.

Although to be fair the teaching standard was exemplary and it was totally worth the stress hair loss and sleepless nights over grades etc...

good luck.

(having also considered the OU route you need to be in a social service department where they are willing and able to support you - people have been waiting years for the funding to be agreed - hence the reason I ended up at university funding myself)...

ally1986

nimbo wrote: »

It's worth having a look at what the individual unis say as the fees have gone up this year there is a good chance that there will be less people applying... (I know the uni I am leaving now has had a lot fewer applications for both the MA and the BSC)...

I will say having just finished my BSc in Social work (alongside the masters students) having any kind of life outside the course can be very difficult - people with full time caring responsibilities were particularly stressed and at points the staff may not have been as supportive as you would expect from such a 'caring profession'.

Although to be fair the teaching standard was exemplary and it was totally worth the stress hair loss and sleepless nights over grades etc...

good luck.

(having also considered the OU route you need to be in a social service department where they are willing and able to support you - people have been waiting years for the funding to be agreed - hence the reason I ended up at university funding myself)...

Thanks for the info - it's an interesting point that there might be a lot less applicants because of the increase in fees. I have contacted a former tutor from my undergraduate degree and asked if he will be my referee as I know he will recommend me for any Masters. I am hoping this, along with my results in the first and second year and my carers experience will stand me in good stead.

Out of interest which university did you do your BSc at?

nimbo

I was based in Yorkshire.

I would be particularly interested to ask how the unis you apply to are planning to distribute the social work bursaries as a student two years behind (so just finished 1st year about to start 2nd year) was saying it had gotten kind of catty and competitive as they were going to be looking at grades as well as attendance as only about 60% of the intake would get bursaries year 2 and 3... Our course only had about 5% drop out rate from year 1 to 2 so potentially still 35% of the class not getting the money...