Mature student - Second Degree

Smegreg

Hi All,

Does anyone have any ideas of experience?

I completed a BA honors degree in 2005. I got a student loan to pay for this. I have now completely paid this loan off. However, I made a silly decision by studying for a degree in performing arts which has given me zero career prospects in reality, so for the last 10 years I've been a cop.

After 10 years in the police, I want out. I find it a very unsatisfying place to work.

Now that I am old enough to actually know what I want (rather than the 18 year old dreamer wanting to be a pop star) I want to go back and study a 'proper' degree that could change the course of my life.

Trouble is, my first degree means I'm not entitled to a student loan again.

I have about £5000 in savings which would go straight towards year ones tuition fees of £9000. However, don't have the further 22 grand (!) to be able to pay for the full 3 years.

I do earn a good living now, (approx 38000 p/a) so am able to save a little each month. But it would be decades before I could save the full amount.

And that doesn't even consider living costs - mortgage, bills etc while a student.

So the question really is to anyone else in a similar position as to how they managed, what they were entitled to etc.

I don't have children, I don't have any dependants, I have no disabilities, I am married and my husband does work (approx 30000 p/a) He has agreed to assist with the majority of bills etc but would not be able to manage fully on his own.

Do I give up the dream? Is there funding available? Am I being all pie in the sky?!

Voyager2002

The obvious solution is part-time study, so that you could continue to earn (perhaps your employer could move you to a part-time contract?). The main providers of part-time education are the Open University and Birkbeck College London, but there are many others...

Do remember that most opportunities for graduates are not available to people who are well into their thirties. At the same time, most degrees provide a general education rather than training for a specific job, so you might find that your existing degree opens some unexpected doors.

And rather than budgeting for three years of study, you might well find that a one-year Masters course could convert your existing qualification into one that is relevant for your desired career. That is certainly the case for Law and for IT, probably for other fields.

Paully232000

what do you want to do/which postgrad course are you looking to start?

agrinnall

Voyager2002 wrote: »

And rather than budgeting for three years of study, you might well find that a one-year Masters course could convert your existing qualification into one that is relevant for your desired career. That is certainly the case for Law and for IT, probably for other fields.

Quite right, there are plenty of postgraduate qualifications that want a degree rather than a specific degree. And I would expect that many course leaders would be more interested in your 10 years in the police rather than your knowledge of performing arts.

From 2016 loans will be available for postgraduate study too.

http://www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/new-uk-postgraduate-loans-scheme.aspx

tomtontom

agrinnall wrote: »

Quite right, there are plenty of postgraduate qualifications that want a degree rather than a specific degree. And I would expect that many course leaders would be more interested in your 10 years in the police rather than your knowledge of performing arts.

From 2016 loans will be available for postgraduate study too.

http://www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/new-uk-postgraduate-loans-scheme.aspx

Which won't be available to the OP because of their age

agrinnall

tomtontom wrote: »

Which won't be available to the OP because of their age

Ah, yes, I keep forgetting that, if I'm reminded often enough it'll probably sink in eventually .

nordicsam

Smegreg wrote: »

Hi All

What do you want to study? If you study part-time for a degree in engineering, technology or computer sciences then you can get a tuition fee loan.

The University of London International Programme offers a number of degrees at very reasonable rates (most are much cheaper than the OU, for example), but you get less support. If you're comfortable learning from textbooks at home then this is a good option.

It is possible at some universities (notably Oxford and Cambridge) to complete a second undergraduate degree in only two years, thus saving you money.

jackieblack

I'm sorry, but I really don't understand how, with a joint income of £68,000, you say it would be decades before you could afford to save the amount you would need.
I'm not criticising btw, I genuinely don't understand!
Maybe it's a question of different priorities, or maybe other people's definition of 'can't afford' is different to mine :huh:

Voyager2002

jackieblack wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I really don't understand how, with a joint income of £68,000, you say it would be decades before you could afford to save the amount you would need.
I'm not criticising btw, I genuinely don't understand!
Maybe it's a question of different priorities, or maybe other people's definition of 'can't afford' is different to mine :huh:

London rents, or the mortgage on a property in London, mean that a family with such a low income would struggle to pay for groceries, never mind anything more.

jackieblack

Voyager2002 wrote: »

London rents, or the mortgage on a property in London, mean that a family with such a low income would struggle to pay for groceries, never mind anything more.

OP's location states Bury, Greater Manchester :huh:

(Not wanting to go off topic but, even if they did live in London, then surely it's a question of priorities? They would have the option to move out and substantially reduce living costs, thus enabling them to save and pursue the second degree. Sometimes you have to compromise to get something you want. )

thegreenone

jackieblack wrote: »

OP's location states Bury, Greater Manchester :huh:

(Not wanting to go off topic but, even if they did live in London, then surely it's a question of priorities? They would have the option to move out and substantially reduce living costs, thus enabling them to save and pursue the second degree. Sometimes you have to compromise to get something you want. )

But surely that depends on the OP's husband's job too? We're in the South East because that is where the work is for my DH. Upping sticks is not always the straight forward option.


I agree with looking at Master's. Full-time, one year (hard work, but get it done) at Manchester if possible, to keep the costs down.


Good luck.