Possible mature student, offered my 5th choice

[HooseRice]

I applied through UCAS. I only wanted one degree course really but chose another 4 just because I could.

I've had an unconditional offer for a BSc Hons degree course in Digital Media Design.

I'm in my 40s. I think this course might be too geeky young for me. My other choices were all business related and all courses are full.

I've phoned admissions and UCAS for more advice but both were monumentally unhelpful.

Can someone explain clearing to me? Can you go into clearing if you have an offer?

Can you chance degree courses after a year.

I'm in Scotland, would the above affect funding?

Should I just think myself lucky and go for it?

Or wait until next year, apply in good time and get a course I really want?

Help me, please

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Can you not switch once you're in? Foot in the door first and then they have to keep you?

Some Uni's better than others at transferring courses etc.

[jeanne16]

I think you need to be very clear why you are doing a uni course and in particular, where it will lead you. Being in Scotland, you won't have to pay the 9k fees, but you will still have to support yourself for 4 years.

I suspect a degree in Digital Media Design is unlikely to lead to meaningful employment (I am sorry to say), so is there any point in racking up debt in your 40 s to do it?

[SlightlyperturbedOwl]

I wouldn't count on transferring once you start and given the cost of a course these days I wouldn't start one you don't want to do. Have you looked on the UCAS site to see what your options are? There is lots of info on there and it should tell you. Have you accepted the offer? Because you don't have to, I would have thought you can turn it down and opt to go into clearing. Worst case I would wait and apply again next year.

[HooseRice]

There'll be no debt. I'm married and will be supported by family money.

From memory, according to the bumph Digital Media design has over 80% of the uni's graduates working in a professional capacity within 6 months of graduating.

I want to be a student for the benefits it brings. My career isn't going anywhere just now.

[LIZS]

I think you can decline the offer and go through clearing/adjustment in August. I wouldn't rely on being able to transfer later if the new course is very popular. If you only want one specific course us it worth calling the admissions department to find out why you didn't receive an offer from them and what would improve your chances of reapplying. Sometimes criteria for mature students differ to school leavers.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Which Uni is it? Glasgow quite good re: transfers.

[HooseRice]

RGU

The course I wanted is full.

[HooseRice]

I asked all these questions of admissions. They told me to phone UCAS.

I called UCAS, asked the same questions, they told me to phone admissions.

I was kicking the ship's cat by the time I got off the phone

[titchy]

There may be vacancies in clearing though.

[HooseRice]

That's what I tried to ask, but no one would give me even a maybe. Talk about trying to wade through treacle.

[titchy]

Well they won't know till results are out in August! Check then.

[greenfolder]

The only question you have to ask yourself is "do I want to study digital media design for 3/4 years? If niot, decline the place and go through clearing or apply next year. Did you apply late this year?

[HooseRice]

Yes I did apply late.

The thing making me want to start this year is my age. It's the difference between graduating in my 40s or 50s.

Thanks for replies, you're helping me see it from different angles.

[Stillunexpected]

Why did you put down a course in Digital Media Design if all your other choices were business-related? Do you actually want to study in this field? If it doesn't interest you and you just put it down for the sake of filling space, then absolutely don't do it. I'm also not clear on why you even want to study. You said your career is going nowhere and you like the benefits of being a student, but what exactly do you mean by that?