Anyone returned to uni in their 40s?

[Boredbear]

For career change. what did you do before/did undergrad in, what did you retrain in and how did it go after?

my dad is also going back to do another degree, doing an access course first to get back into study

That is one thing, most degrees do want evidence of recent study before starting them.

Open University can be done around work, as can some of the evening universities (Birkbeck). i was lucky I could afford to drop down to 1 day a week at work and didn;t need any loans etc.

@Maturestudentneedshelp that's interesting usually mature students go other way.. academic then vocational/semi vocational, unless it's purely for personal interest. Do you plan to return to hospitality, I'm guessing not?

I love it that shamoo you met your husband on the course, isnt it funny where life throws you!

Zaff Like you I was weaker at maths/science at school, always on humanities track and degree in politics... but somehow got sucked into finance. Are you doing it part time, still working or left it totally?

@silverotter you are brave, I have a friend who entered medical school at 30. She qualified now but still doing research degree at 40! Apparently it's easier (as less clinic hours) to juggle with children. I dont know how she does it. I am definitely not one to wake at 4am to study then sort kids and work.

It seems everyone really enjoys (or maybe take it more seriously after the life experience/having to pay for it) as a mature student!

I’d really like to do a second undergrad degree, as really like studying, but costs - including the opportunity costs of not working, or not working much - would be high. So it’s on my list for post-retirement!

Unless money is no object, an undergraduate degree is v costly in terms of both time and money, so if considering it best be v confident of job opportunities at the end, and investigate those jobs thoroughly to consider whether you’d enjoy them before going down a long, expensive path.

I did first degree in my twenties, MA in my thirties and a PhD in my forties. My PhD was interesting but hasn't helped my "career" at all!

Yep agree, I'm looking at more vocational pgdip/masters e.g. quantity surveying, HR, social work. An eclectic mix, I know...

I'm doing a masters at the moment in social work. I'm 43 and the second oldest on the course, not that it matters at all, everyone is lovely. My background was as a primary school teacher.

Presumably you didnt enjoy teaching? I considered teaching too, but I come from a family of teachers and they all discouraged me!

I'm currently half way through a foundation year to go onto an eng lit/philosophy degree, studying at Sheffield University. I'm 43. And I have absolutely loved it.

It's been difficult this year because covid so have only had 2 face to face lectures for 45 minutes each but the online stuff has been excellent. I've made a couple of friends via the online social media that was encouraged by the uni.

I've found the work load manageable around family and work. Dd is 16 at 6th form and ds is 7 in year 2. Was a bit of a shock to the system the first few weeks but soon got into a routine.

Prior to this I did OU when I was 21ish, A levels before that so not really experienced uni life before. I worked in banking, then sales and marketing before having dd. Then worked in lettings and we also have a construction industry based business I do the admin for. On top of that we have ponies, oh and an allotment with chickens on I have to do daily. Plus usual kids activities, they do watersports over the summer so we are quite a busy family generally. But have found uni fits in. Dh says I am much happier since I started it.

Not sure what I will do once Ive hopefully graduated, originally was going to apply for a PGCE and go into teaching. But not 100% now, debating staying on and doing a masters and possibly looking at moving into adult teaching.

At this point I would happily stay forever.

@Boredbear I supported myself through savings and a bit of inheritance, and also by part-time work, although this dropped off because the workload was so intense in the second semester. I would advise working out the minimum you need to survive on each month for the duration of the course and then see if you can save up for it. You can also take out a student loan for a master's but I thought the interest rate was appalling and I'm getting almost no interest on my savings.

I took a year off work; they were happy for me to do so because the master's would give me skills they needed. They then made me redundant in the summer but hey ho!

I was a qualified librarian. However the profession changed in the late 70s - early 80s and the new universities were offering degrees in "library science". So young people were coming into the profession with a bit of paper my colleagues and I did not have. They had no idea of how to run a library. They would spend a year of two learning how to do this and then get promoted over our heads. I felt I had 2 choices:-

#1 stay as I was and see my qualifications further devalued and my opportunities of promotion/progression denied

#2 step off the career ladder to do a degree and then widen my prospects.

I went to an RG university in my mid 40s and got 1st in psychology. I also discovered that I loved academic work. I subsequently stayed at the uni to do a masters and a doctorate and had a 10 year career as an academic. I retired in 2004 but continued to do some academic work on a consultancy basis. I am now in my 70s and run my own online business.

Changing careers mid stream takes a lot of courage. However I know I did the right thing for me. Librarianship as a career declined with the impact of technology. Colleagues I knew from my employed days ended up unemployed.

I have recently had my results for my MA Childhood & Youth that I studied part time with the OU. That was the culmination of 8 years studying with the OU, firstly doing a BA (Hons) Early Years, I am 62 next year. I was fortunate to start my BA under the old fee structure so had transition fees for it plus my LA gave grants towards it. For the MA I took out a postgrad loan which I will start paying back from April. Don't expect to pay very much back as around 6-7 years from retirement & I work as a childminder so low income.

I enjoyed the studying, but really enjoyed not having to study over Christmas this year

There is so much fortitude and courage here... graduating in 60s, ploughing on after redundancy, with busy family life (and animals!), total reinvention from 40s to online business in 70s - it's incredibly inspiring.

I'm so insipid though, after so long going just through the motions in busy corporate/family life I feel totally lost as to what I'm interested in. I couldnt even answer a colleague who asked me, what would I do if i had a second chance at 18 (since i grumble so much about my current career path)

I'm doing my understanding and will be 49 when I finish . I'm already reaping the rewards career wise. I had a panic a few years ago that after working jobs that fitted around the children and claiming wtc that I would be poor and pensionless in my older age. Best decision I ever made!

I love this thread, thank you for creating it @Boredbear. It is so positive and encouraging, especially with all the doom and gloom about.

I’ve got a place to start my Midwifery degree next year when I’ll be almost 38. I’ll be 40 when I qualify.

I started a degree at 18 but Ill health cut it short. I then did OU about 8 years ago and finished at foundation degree level (Business) and didn’t enjoy that career path.

I’m very excited to be starting my career finally!

I've just left practice (nursing) to teach nurses at uni and I love it! I'm 46 and will be doing my PGCE in 2021 and my master's the year after. I already have a diploma and a bachelors plus a couple of other bits but am looking forward to my academic career. There are numerous student nurses training in their 40s and they are amazing. They bring something totally unique to the arena and make fantastic health professionals!

@Boredbear - I guess I'm doing the degree I would have loved to have done (had it been possible) when I was eighteen. I have also suffered recurrent miscarriages which left me really hating my body - so I guess I'm trying to love my brain instead 😂

And no, will not be heading back to hospitality. Hoping to do a master's.

Yep. Started my degree at 47 and graduated this summer and just about to start my masters in January!

I'm sorry @Maturestudentneedshelp, that's tough. It's a great attitude to take though, constant self improvement, and we all find fulfilment from many sources

I went to uni when I was 39. 3 years for my BA and another year for my PGCE It was great and I have had a good career in Further Education ever since. I am now 65 and looking to retire next year

Congrats @CandyLeBonBon
What prompted you to undertake this big commitment?

@grannycake looks like it's totally worthwhile, you managed to squeeze a good 25 year career out of that move!

Don't call yourself insipid! You are on a journey, I've been here and can totally relate to not knowing what you're interested in. I guess you could look at what you get passionate about in conversations or what motivates you? X

I started my degree in operating department practice at 40. I’m on a year out (damn you covid) and will be 44 when I qualify. Worked in theatres for years so natural step for me to progress my career. Helps it’s the best job in the world too.

I won’t lie though, I haven’t found it easy. I was diagnosed with adhd while at uni and wasn’t given all the support I should have but I will get there.