Could I be a mature student?

Dick_here

dorry wrote: »

I didn't really loose out going, cos my wage then was only £600 a month anyway.

That's the key thing, don't leave it too long or you'll find you're earning too much - with the outgoings to match - to be able to afford to give it up.

Mupeteer

If you are seriously considering it I would recommend applying for a part time access course now. You could do that while still working so that you sttill have some income and you get to decide if uni really is for you. Also, if you do go on, it's a fantastic head start when it comes to writing essays and doing exams.

I did a part time access course in 2005/06 and moved onto uni in September 2006. It's hard work, financially as well as the academic stuff but it will be worth it in the end. Speak to finance people at the uni's and they will be able to give you an idea of what support might be available to you.

I am in debt up to my eyeballs (but I was before the course started) but somehow I know I'll get throug hit and the debt can be dealt with when I'm earning a decent wage at the end of it.

Don't heistate. Just go for it and take the leap. Even if you were to be offered a place you don't have to accept it. But give it a try.

Swirlywurly

savingsuperstar wrote: »

You won't get your tuition fees paid for- no-one does anymore, except medical students.

We only get our fees paid for the last year of our course if we are on a five year course. It is different for graduates they get three out of four years paid.

Other healthcare courses (except pharmacists) get a bursary with their fees paid from day one.

johng_uk

The OU sounds ideal in your situation. You can work and study, without taking a drop in earnings.

http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/financial-support.shtml

Is a useful OU funding link. There's a calculator on there somewhere which tells you how much you could get towards your learning.

MissMuppet

I've already done a few short courses with the OU, and although they are really good I'm not motivated enough to study at home. This is why I was looking to go to Uni, so I have a routine so to speak. I certainly don't want to have to work full-time and study, I don't have any debts so I think I could manage working part-time.

johng_uk

MissMuppet wrote: »

I've already done a few short courses with the OU, and although they are really good I'm not motivated enough to study at home. This is why I was looking to go to Uni, so I have a routine so to speak. I certainly don't want to have to work full-time and study, I don't have any debts so I think I could manage working part-time.

The OU is hard work and that's why it is so rewarding.

I to have reached the stage where I wish to have a degree and start in September. The OU is the ONLY way I can achieve this as I work fulltime to support a non-working missus and 2 kids.

You mention your 'financial situation' and in another post that you may work part-time rather than full-time. I don't know the situation with grants etc and if you'd be better off or not. Just be careful that you make the right choice and don't lose out financially.

Research this very carefully.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

mummytofour

My dh is giving up his 30k job to be a part-time student and a stay at home dad, looking after our 5 children. While I do my degree which I start in Sep,.
I have had a financial forecast done by the uni and according to that we will be better off than we are now with DH working! Of course that remains to be seen but all in all very exciting times lay ahead altho I am more than a little apprehensive, to say the least.

brettcta

my girlfriend managed to get a place at a university without any qualifications because she turns 21 the day before the course starts, ergo, she's a mature student. by one day..

lilysgarden

Missmuppet, well done on keeping the job and deciding education is the thing for you! I know what you mean about the OU courses not being motivating enough for you. I could have done my degree via OU, but just knew that I wouldn't finish it without other students to talk to etc. I also found it was really helpful being able to discuss marks, idea's for essays etc with other students whenever I saw them. It just made the whole experience of being a mature student far less daunting and impersonal.

As for deciding on a course, maybe try talking to Learn Direct. They aren't fantastic but occasionally you hit gold with the advisor you talk to! I'd actually walked out on my job and vowed not to work again until I'd decided exactly what I wanted to do with my life and planned how I would achieve. I spent the next 2 months listing everything I'm interested in, what I'm good/bad at, what I'd like to do with my life and so on. Then I researched what kind of jobs my existing skills would fit and what skills I needed to improve. After 2 months I'd narrowed the list down to social work and counselling. After realising at the time that too many people went into counselling (and the chances of a well paid job were slim), I opted for social work.

Dunno if it was fate or what, but luckily for me, the Learn Direct advisor I spoke to had just seen an advert that day for information on becoming a social worker. They actually ran to the staff room while I waited on the phone to find the magazine with the advert and get the details for me!!!! From there I discovered I needed an access course and a degree and the rest is now history as I've just completed my degree 4 years later! So, give things like this a shot. Learn Direct aren't always great and don't give the maximum info that they could. But any tiny piece of info is a bonus and could just lead you to where you wanna be!

Good luck and well done again!

Nik x