Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Starting a degree at 35

65 replies

Gem8701 · 21/08/2023 08:32

Hi,

I not sure if this is the right place to post?

Ok so i work in admin at the moment, I have pretty much just had office jobs, I did do a HR course L3 a few years ago but then found it hard to gain any experience in this sector.

I am now at the point where I want to better myself and get a better job, as I have no GCSE'S I am thinking of doing a course/degree with the Open University but I feel a bit old?

Has anyone started at this age and its been a success?

Any advice appreciated.

Gemma

OP posts:
Original poster
Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 09:18

yeah i am defo motivated - my only worry is it feels like a longggg road, GCSES, access course, then degree, just feel like by time i qualify i'll be old and struggle to get a job at that point?

OP posts:
Flipflipmania · 22/08/2023 09:14

And even if you decide after doing the GCSEs that you don’t want to do any further study - having maths and English gcse will open your job opportunities

Flipflipmania · 22/08/2023 09:13

It will be a challenge but you sound motivated

gcse maths and English isn’t easy. But it says a lot about you and your commitment to get a better job if you stick to it and get them

Original poster
Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 09:11

Thanks :)

OP posts:
Flipflipmania · 22/08/2023 09:11

Well done op

Flipflipmania · 22/08/2023 09:11

Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 08:58

Ok - i am going to book an interview with the local college to see if i can get on evening course to do the GCSE'S. Like you say, they will be beneficial, will i still need to do an access course?

You won’t need to do an access course to do GCSEs

but with just two GCSEs, yes you will still need to do an access course in order to do a degree

trevthecat · 22/08/2023 09:04

I'm mid to late 30's and just completed a degree is children, young people and families. I really enjoyed it and lots of jobs locally. I got a part time job during the course and have just gone full time

Original poster
Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 08:58

Ok - i am going to book an interview with the local college to see if i can get on evening course to do the GCSE'S. Like you say, they will be beneficial, will i still need to do an access course?

OP posts:
Cornishmumofone · 22/08/2023 08:06

I'd strongly recommend getting your English and Maths GCSEs at college this year. They'll be beneficial whatever you decide to study.

There are also quite a few HR related courses on FutureLearn. FL Unlimited is about £200 and allows you to get certificates for the courses you complete. https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/business-and-management-courses/human-resources You'll then know how much motivation and commitment you have to studying online. You could also try courses in other areas that interest you.

You could do a Level 5 in People Management online: https://www.icslearn.co.uk/lp/cipd/cipd-hr-courses/

Original poster
Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 07:50

The OU don't do HR Courses :(

After everyone's advice - I wont be doing the Phycology degree, thinking maybe teaching or something children related.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gem8701 · 22/08/2023 07:48

I really appreciate all your advice, my plan was to do an access module with the OU in Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module, then while I'm doing this I can decide A) What I want to do and B) if I want to do a degree.

I need to do distance learning as I work FT.

OP posts:
FlamingYam · 21/08/2023 20:23

It's wonderful that you want to better yourself and get somewhere and you're definitely not too old but you need to work out your goals/plan.

I say the rest with love... You already did HR but it hasn't amounted to anything... what's to say that a degree won't do the same? Could you refocus on the HR? Could you do an entry level HR role and get the experience? Could your current employer support this move?

As someone who has a psychology degree... don't bother! Out of my whole cohort and everyone since, only one works as a psychologist and had to do many years more studying.

Bunnyannesummers · 21/08/2023 17:03

A reminder here that you must pay for access courses, funded by an advanced learner loan. You can have this loan wiped if you then go on to a degree.
You can only do one access course, so important to be on the right one.

titchy · 21/08/2023 14:22

Flipflipmania · 21/08/2023 14:18

So all the advice to get gcse in maths and English given you have none - in one ear and out the other

Tbf Access colleges usually also require students to do FS in M and E if they have none.

Given OP only posted at 8.30 this morning it doesn't sound like a long considered plan though! However, Access courses are very good and maybe OP will focus as a result.

Flipflipmania · 21/08/2023 14:18

So all the advice to get gcse in maths and English given you have none - in one ear and out the other

Flipflipmania · 21/08/2023 14:17

Gem8701 · 21/08/2023 13:48

Decided in the end to do an access course - hopefully this will put me in good stead and help me decide what i wanna do!

In what?

Original poster
Gem8701 · 21/08/2023 13:48

Decided in the end to do an access course - hopefully this will put me in good stead and help me decide what i wanna do!

OP posts:
Bunnyannesummers · 21/08/2023 11:33

I’d start with GCSE maths and English to ease you in, and also because some jobs/courses require them. Once you’ve got your head around study, think about what you’re aiming for. You could do some careers testing to inspire you? But I wouldn’t suggest picking a degree without a solid reason.

Youll likely need an access course for entry, these are taught at FE colleges so you might want to visit a September open day at your local college for a chat

McConkeysPlate · 21/08/2023 09:58

My local college offers access courses, I did my maths gcse alongside this. I did psychology, biology and sociology and passed with enough points to do my degree. I am 46 and just about to start my second year in a biology degree.

AHugeTinyMistake · 21/08/2023 09:53

Farmageddon · 21/08/2023 09:14

OP I would steer clear of Psychology, I did it about 10 years ago - it's really interesting, but there is lots of statistics (which I hated) and you're not actually qualified for anything at the end of it.
Many of my former classmates are not in Psychology related jobs now, as it's a very competitive field, so unless you want to do years of post grad study (Masters, or possibly PhD) you are unlikely to have a career in it.

Some advice I would give is - do a degree that actually qualifies you in something when you graduate, and doesn't need further study to get a job, as you don't really have time on your side. This is something I wish I had done. So there are lots of really interesting degrees (History etc.) which are interesting, but that have no real defined career path afterwards.

Or if you're interested in helping people, there are allied health professions like Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist etc. where you are actually a qualified professional when you finish your degree and will get a job in your chosen profession.

I agree with this

I have a friend who did a physiology-related degree, placements in hospitals etc, got a job before she'd even graduated for 23k I think. 2 years on she's doing a masters apprenticeship funded by her NHS team, earning 25k currently. At the end of the apprenticeship she will go onto band 5 which is 28k to start with, goes up to 35k I think. There will be other progression opportunities as well.

If you want a good career definitely look into it.

youaremysunshine2623 · 21/08/2023 09:46

I’m a university lecturer and teach many many women returners in their 30s - some of my most committed, bright and capable students. An access course may be a good first stage. This would teach you the academic and research skills needed and in my experience sets students up very well for undergraduate study. An access course in Social Sciences would typically include modules in sociology, psychology, youth work etc. type disciplines and would give you time to think further about the direction you would like to take.

HappydaysArehere · 21/08/2023 09:42

I trained as a teacher (primary) in my early thirties. It was the best decision I had made in my working life.

Annoyedwithmyself · 21/08/2023 09:35

Absolutely nothing wrong with starting a degree at 35 but I would begin with GCSE english and maths whilst you decide what it is you really want to do for work, then target your uni application around that rather than try and rush through clearing this Sept (not sure whether you were considering that).

Psych is a science subject so you would benefit from having that background of basic maths and written reasoning. Psych is more often than not used as a transferable skill rather than for qualifying as a clinical psychologist. Not saying you couldn't do that, you could, but it is highly competitive and quite a long road. Psych nursing could be a more straightforward pathway (I don't mean an easy job).

I'm doing Medicine in my mid 30s so absolutely vouch for studying at this age. Just think very carefully about 'what', 'why' and 'what next' as well as the practicalities before making a decision. What about something business and HR focussed to build on your existing experience? Out of your suggestions, IT seems the clearest route to employment and increased pay.

Firefighter22 · 21/08/2023 09:27

I don’t think you’re age is an issue at all but really take your time to decide what you want to get out of having a degree and don’t rush into deciding subject. Better to wait a few years because you are really looking into all options. My DF started a BA when he retired at 65. He has always wanted to study but the family was too poor and he had to join the family business after WW2. He took an access course first as he had no formal qualifications and went on to get an MA and loved the whole experience. It took him over 10 years but I think it gave him extra years of life having the focus, the interaction with others and a goal that was meaningful to him. So do it but don’t rush into it.

Farmageddon · 21/08/2023 09:19

Also, there is a Mature Study and Retraining board you could look at for ideas:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students