Uni Place without formal qualifications! Anyone??

djdido2

Hi

I am applying for a University place as a mature student. I do not have formal qualifications related to the course I want to do. I am very passionate and determined to do this. I do have alot of work related experience both paid and voluntary.

I am currently in the middle of completing my personal statement so any feedback, tips, advice and encouragement are really welcome.

Thanks in anticipation of your help!


Dido

dmg24

Which subject are you applying for, and at what university? The requirements do vary from course to course.

From someone who is a bit advocate of lifelong learning, good luck! x

djdido2

Hi DMG

Its for Youth Work. There is a full degree which I dream of doing but not sure if they would take me.

Then there is a foundation degree which I think does not require any formal qualifications but I still have to do a Personal Statement for. I am wishing that my experience and Personal Statement would be good enough for them to offer me a full degree course as I feel I have the brains and dedication to do it.

Oh Bolton University by the way. Thanks for the help.

x

dmg24

You certainly have the enthusiasm and motivation to go for it!

Have had a look at the course description, and I would say that it is the course that you can go for with experience as opposed to qualifications. There is a great deal of practical work on the course, which would make you more sorted than someone from a purely academic background.

My only concern would be how you would cope with the written work. Do you have any background in report writing, or other written tasks?

Your posts show a clear understanding of English language and grammar, so if that is anything to go by I would say you will be fine!

My advice would be to apply for the degree course, and if you are not successful, I am sure they will offer you the place on the foundation course.

Are you ok on your personal statement? As well as content, they will look at the structure of this.

Best of luck! x

bestpud

Have you got GCSEs or A levels, or other formal qualifications? I ask because, although it does differ by uni and course, they will be concerned that you can meet the academic requirements before you start.

My uni ask mature students to write an essay (related to the course they wish to do) if they have not been in education for a while.

For youth work though, I imagine life experience and proven ability to communicate with people of all ages will be as important as academic qualifications.

Perhaps it will be helpful for you to contact the uni you wish to go to and ask the tutors in advance? That way, the get to know your name and you can tailor your personal statement to what they say.

Oh and get as much experience as you can with youths. It sounds like the type of course that will interview applicants so it will help if you have relevent experience before then, if you haven't now.

Good luck! I'm sure you will love being a mature student - I do.

djdido2

I have a Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts, I realise this is not related to the course but I can implement/specalise this within the Youth Work sector. I flunked my G.C.S.E results due to ill health and never got round to resitting them to better my grades.

The written aspect of it is what worries me as the majority of my work and college experience has been practical. However, I rate myself as fairly clever and I have a good command of the English Language.

I have so far drafted my personal statement into notes, bullet points and this is what prompted me to ask all you lovely peeps for support/help.

I did apply to my local college to do an Access Course but they want me to tackle a brush up skills before that. Flip I dont want to spend the next twelve months sat in a classroom tackling a level that my eleven year old daughter could do. (No disrespect intended.) A year of that, then a two year HE course, then three years at Uni, I could qualify as a Doctor in that time lol.

NickiM

I don't mind looking over your personal statement if you like

djdido2

Hi Nicki

Well you could look it over but I haven't officially started it, I just have lots of bullet points for now but when it is finished that would be fantastic, Thanks. Any tips for a good one then?

Dido

NickiM

Well, you need to get across your passion for the course. In your case, I think work experience would be quite important, and you'd have to write what you learnt from it. You'd also have to talk about some extra curriculars, but the majority of the personal statement should be about your course.

Let me know when you've written it and good luck.

nasty_nas

If you are passionate and have some experience usually universites will let ya in good luck

duchy

I'd add a bit about what you hope to get out of the course too