Doing a degree for first time at 55 and repaying student loan.

jackieblack

bluenose1 wrote: »

I have been researching potential degree courses and am now contemplating History as a Combined Degree with Sociology. May go to one of the Open Days scheduled at a local University to discuss possibilities and options.
From speaking to some "mature students" sounds like it will be hard work but with a great sense of satisfaction.
The fact that I will never have to pay the tuition or maintenance fees back is definitely a massive incentive and bonus to me.

I’m also considering going to an Open Day.
Have been in email correspondence with an admissions advisor. As I don’t have A levels I didn’t know whether it was even a possibility. She asked for more information about what I’ve done since leaving school and why I was interested in this degree. I have been advised that I would be considered a suitable candidate and invited to make an application through UCAS, but I need to work out the financial side to determine whether it could be a possibility.
Big changes due at work over the next year - this could also influence a decision, in particular regarding the timing...

happyandcontented

Most part-time degrees with the OU take 6 years, all of them are funded via the student loan if eligible.

bluenose1

jackieblack wrote: »

I’m also considering going to an Open Day.
Have been in email correspondence with an admissions advisor. As I don’t have A levels I didn’t know whether it was even a possibility. She asked for more information about what I’ve done since leaving school and why I was interested in this degree. I have been advised that I would be considered a suitable candidate and invited to make an application through UCAS, but I need to work out the financial side to determine whether it could be a possibility.
Big changes due at work over the next year - this could also influence a decision, in particular regarding the timing...

Excellent. It sounds like for mature students you may not need the traditional A levels as have life experience and skills picked up in workplace. I am considering a Four year course with the first a Foundation year to hopefully ease myself into studying again.
I will start in 2 years unless there is a VS scheme in work first, which does seem likely.
I didn't realise that if you worked part time during your course it does not affect maintenance loan etc which is good to know.
Interesting times.

jackieblack

happyandcontented wrote: »

Most part-time degrees with the OU take 6 years, all of them are funded via the student loan if eligible.

Yes but, personally I couldn’t study while still working (for a variety of reasons) and the OU doesn’t offer the subject I’m interested in, in any case.

jackieblack

bluenose1 wrote: »

Excellent. It sounds like for mature students you may not need the traditional A levels as have life experience and skills picked up in workplace. I am considering a Four year course with the first a Foundation year to hopefully ease myself into studying again.
I will start in 2 years unless there is a VS scheme in work first, which does seem likely.
I didn't realise that if you worked part time during your course it does not affect maintenance loan etc which is good to know.
Interesting times.

Interesting indeed!


Of course applying is no guarantee of acceptance, but just the fact that they didn’t just laugh and tell me to go away (although I’m sure they would have done it more politely and diplomatically than that ) is encouraging in itself

pendulum27

Sorry if this is a repeated post - I had not pressed the 'Submit' button previously but just had a warning about waiting 60 seconds between posting...

An interesting thread.
I understand what bugslet has said and I think I understand why.
I’m just in the exam period at the end of my second year of a degree started immediately after I early-retired. As I’d already got degrees, I wasn’t eligible for financial support – so I’ve self-funded.
I’ve been OK about taking the 25% reduction in council tax, although bugslet’s comments and the state of local authority finances have made me think more on that. I’m not wanting to stir up a moral or political argument/debate about it, just sharing my uncertainty.
One of the unexpectedly good things I’ve found about MSE Forums is that it’s not always all about money: there’s quite a lot of shared human experience too.
Here’s mine. Did a science degree at normal age and then worked in various industries for 20+ years, grabbing a company-sponsored MBA along the way. Switched to teaching and, apart from the admin. crap, generally enjoyed it a lot. I lasted almost 15 years and I’m glad it wasn’t my entire career; it’s too draining. About 4-5 years ago, a chat with some 6th form students about what degree they should study made me think “I want to do that”.
So I started my plan to see if I could get my finances ready to stop work a couple of years later. I had chosen my degree and preferred my home town University but I had a big job persuading them that I was a viable candidate. The official admissions person was great, the problem was getting the course leader to respond. It took me about 18 months of persistent pushing, eventually culminating in my attending an open day at which I button-holed him after his excellent presentation. I must have made an impression because soon after the entry requirements were communicated – an essay and a Maths exam. It seems my former qualifications were too old or of poor quality – I should have worked harder in 6th form.
I loved first year, learned loads, was accepted by the young people on my course and got good marks mainly. Second year has been harder, partly because I chose some tough modules, because they were what I wanted to learn. To be honest, I’ve not worked hard enough either or rather I’ve let my interests rather than course requirements guide my reading.
And if all that isn’t enough, I’m doing a year out before final year to get some industry experience!
If you’ve not done a degree before (or even if you have) and you really want to do some degree level studying, then I strongly recommend you give it a go. However, you need to be prepared financially, with or without support, and for a potentially tough process for getting accepted. So, I suppose an Access course or a Foundation year could be good ways to make entrance easier but might add to the costs. I would recommend that you attend Open Days, preferably at more than one University.
It's been brilliant for me, opening up a third career in a new field and it doesn’t feel like work. One thing is for sure, I’ve stopped complaining to friends about how few contact hours we have. When you get to second year, there’s so much reading and seminar preparation or computer labs, you don’t want more of anything.