Higher education options

[Shameful2019]

Hello all

I am looking for some advice. I am due dc4 in the next few months so I'm starting to think about my future after dc4. That might sound silly and not thought about before... any way. This will be my last child. I am nearly 27 and would like to go into further education when dc 4 is in child care so trying to find out some info now so I can make the best decision further down the line.

I did do my gases and a levels but due to family circumstances that I would rather not go into I didn't do very well in the a levels.... however I got a full a level in business.

I would like to study with the OU. Is that possible with out 3 a levels? Or would I have to go to college. I would really like to study from home.

I don't know what I want to study yet. But possibly going through IT of some sort.
Any suggestions.

Also.... funding....how do I go about that...?

Tia!

I’ve recently gone back into higher education as a mature student. I didn’t actually look into the OU so I’m not certain about their requirements but, despite doing well at A Level, I chose to do an Access Course as this gave me a tutor who could write a reference on my UCAS application. Do you need the same for OU? Or is it separate? If not then are there a certain number of points needed before starting the course (eg BBB equivalent at A Level or similar)?

If you have what you need in qualifications then you’re fine but do research this. An access course might needed if you don’t have the entry requirements. Remember as well that some universities offer distance learning so take a look at those rather than just focusing on OU and finding out which suits you best. I’m also not certain of the difference in student loans if you’re planning on studying distance learning but that’s something to bear in mind as well.

Just in case being at uni worries you from a childcare perspective: my course runs from 9:30-15:00 and anybody that needs to start later or finish earlier due to childcare needs is allowed to do so as long as the lecturers know in advance. If this has made you concerned about university study then contacting the universities that interest you might help you out here as well. Ignore all of that if your reason for home-learning is different of course!

Thanks blue will look into it more when the kids are in bed. I'm just a bit wary that as I did rubbish in A levels I am a bit stuck. It wasn't that I wasn't able to do it but I was a carer for my mum and younger siblings to missed a lot of the lessons and ended up leaving home at 18.

Don’t beat yourself up over it or feel that you need to explain, you didn’t do rubbish at all. An access course might be good for you though, mine was just 2 days a week so hopefully easy to fit around your other responsibilities. The only difference was that the tuition fees were funded but there was no maintenance loan, with university obviously I have a maintenance loan as well. There are always options though, I promise that you’re not stuck!

You don't need any qualifications to start a degree with the OU

Thanks everyone. I have no idea what I want to do though...I just know that I want to study so I can get into a good job and set a good example to my kids. Especially my daughters

Have you considered doing an Access to HE course? It will help you with the skills to do a degree if you've been out of education for a while.

Quite a few HEIs offer them.

www.accesstohe.ac.uk/Pages/Default.aspx

Thanks Athena. I am clueless to how to get into any education. Will look at your link. Thanks