Would you go back to do a degree again at 28?

[PoesyCherish]

I have a first degree and vaguely work in something related to it. However I'd love to retrain.

My only three possible options for retraining are 1) go back and do an undergraduate, 2) go and do a masters which costs £10700 per year for 2 years plus living costs as I'd have to live away or 3) be lucky enough to get on the only funded masters training route in my relative local area (would involve a manageable commute)

Next intake of the undergrad is next September when I'll be 28. Would you go back to undergrad as a 28 year old? I wouldn't entitled to any funding so we'd be solely living on DP's wage, which would be just about doable with the three of us (Have 6 year old DSD) but no chance of having any further DC until I'd graduate aged 31.

What job will you get at the end of it? Does that make up for the cost of it? Is the degree you are considering in demand? It has to be worth it. Do thorough research before investing your money and time in this.

Some degrees are a complete waste of time. Mine was.

I’m thinking of going back to do another degree at 56 or so. Bearing in mind Namechanger’s sensible thoughts, why not?

Once you have finished your degree you'll still have 30+ years working ahead of you. I'd do it if it would put you in a better position, i.e. for a career you know you'll enjoy, in an area where it is possible to get jobs, and where you do need to have a relevant undergrad and not a masters.

Have you looked into a masters with the Open University as another option?

Yes, I became an undergrad at 27 (it was my first degree though). No regrets at all. My career has stagnated a bit though as I’ve been having children since i graduated!
About 1/3 of my fellow students were mature so I wasn’t out of place.

I've looked into the Masters option with OU

Without wanting to be too outing, it's a healthcare scientist type role. The undergrad option puts me into the standard healthcare scientist role upon graduating. I've done days volunteering at the hospital and spoken to lots of different people in the field who've said they're always looking for new people to fill vacancies.

The funded postgrad opportunity would be as a Clinical scientist, so same area of Healthcare but at a higher level, but very high in demand to get on the course and many many more applicants apply / are interviewed than get the role.

As far as I can tell, OU isn't an option as I need clinical placements.

I think my main worry is wanting DC and wanting a gap between those DC but the undergrad option means putting it off for 4 years.

My personal life experience (now age 43) means I suggest having DC soon, volunteer in desired career, undergrad degree once they're at school.

@Cordillera would you feel the same if the course currently was paid for (so no forking out 9k for tuition fees) but that funding has no guarantee of being around after 2019?

That makes it a trickier decision! I'd still, with hindsight, do kids before anything else.