Best way to fund distance learning degree as a working adult

Forst1411

Hi,

I am considering doing a degree as a distant learning course for 2 years. The course is approx £10,000  for the full study. 

What is the best way to fund the course as a working adult. I don’t won’t to pay back through my salary or via my current employment.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Michael 

Savvy_Sue

Ask the institution if they know of any grants / financial support.

Have you tried Student Finance? What level of degree? if it's postgrad, you may be able to apply for a postgrad bank loan, but be aware they have to be repaid from the moment the course finishes, and it's not income dependent. 

Brie

Check first that it's an actual quality course and that it's a qualification accepted by the industry you want to work in.  

Too often we see comments on here about people who got 2 months into a course only to discover the information is out of date, the teachers incompetent and that there's no comeback but to pay for the entire fee even if the course isn't completed.  

Assuming it's all on the up and up then you might check if the industry you are currently in has funding available.  That will also give you insight into the quality of the course you are considering.  I'm assuming you don't want your current employer involved as completion may mean a move elsewhere?

josephine82

You could investigate doing the degree module by module- may make budgeting for it a bit more easily even if it takes a bit longer. Quite a few universities have short course/module routes to completing degrees or additional study. I’ve just done this for a PgCert. 

SiliconChip

The best way is to save up £10,000 so that you don't have to borrow anything, have you started to do that?

Marcon

Forst1411 said:

Hi,

I am considering doing a degree as a distant learning course for 2 years. The course is approx £10,000  for the full study. 

What is the best way to fund the course as a working adult. I don’t won’t to pay back through my salary or via my current employment.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Michael 

I presume this is a Masters degree - I don't know any undergrad degrees which can be completed on a part-time basis in only two years, which limits the funding options.

Talk to the university providing the course; they will be well used to this sort of request for information.

PurpleMouse5

Student finance if you can get it. They now have a 'postgraduate masters loan' of around 12K on similar terms to the undergraduate one. If you're studying for a second degree have a look at the rules around STEM and healthcare degrees because you can still set a second student loan for some courses.