Talk to me about studying for a degree in History? Or Law.

[ForeverOptimistic]

I am having my weekly career dilemma.

Something that has interested me for a while is the idea of studying for a degree in History. The uni close to me offers a degree in History and I like the look of the modules on offer.

I don't want to go through the open university as it is too expensive and the course doesn't sound as interesting as my local university.

I am also interested in Law and law is far more relevant to my background but I feel it will limit my options. With History I could go into teaching but I'm not sure what I could with a Law degree if I chose not to go down the legal route.

Am I too much of a thicko to be even considering this? If anyone has done this could you give me an idea of the average essay type question. Is this do-able with a young family?

TIA

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

I am doing a history degree with the Open University and enjoying it immensely. OU is very doable with a young family, I am not sure about a bricks and mortar uni, it depends on how old your children are, how much childcare and support you have etc.
You are definitely not 'too much of a thicko' to do a history degree. You will get a lot of guidance on study skills and so on and essays tend to build up gradually - I am supposed to be writing a 2,000 word essay on European empires before 1750 right now, as it happens - but that is for a final year course. First year essays are less intimidating.
Call up your local university's history dept and see if you can arrange a chat with the admissions tutor. If it doesn't seem doable at the moment don't write off the OU completely - you miight even be able to do a couple of modules and get credit to transfer to a local university later.
And OU need not be that expensive - I have paid for virtually all of mine with Tesco Clubcard points.

[ForeverOptimistic]

Thanks LGP.

at Tesco Clubcard points! I had no idea they could be used for such things!

[playftseforme]

If you ultimately want to develop a career in law, you don't need a law degree. That said, a law degree will still enable you to develop analytical, research, writing, logical argument skills. FWIW I think that you need to pick a subject interests you, otherwise it's v hard to make time for it in amongst your busy life.

[Tinfoil]

From your post you sound more enthusiastic about the History degree than the Law degree. If you do History then you could do a Law conversion course afterwards or go into teaching as you say. Could you also try to get some work experience in a law firm while you study History, to see whether the work really interests you?

[hmc]

LGP - so am I. Currently doing the dreaded A200, what about you?

OP - if you have a young family I would have thought that the OU would suit you better rather than your local Uni. Far more flexible study options

[OrangeFish]

Go for the Open. I did a history degree in a very prestigious brick and mortar university and we all were very fond of the advice and manuals published by the Open. The course was far better organised than ours.

If you have limited time (as you do when you have children) it does really help to get all the information you need in the post. Far less stress than when you are looking for this or other article, chapter in book, etc. and you have no idea whether you will get it in time or at all.

You can also organise your study times according to your needs rather than spending an absolute fortune in nurseries and baby sitting.