Can you still study at 40?

[1n5piration]

I’ve been a sahm for a long time and am unlikely ever to get a job in my previous capacity or related to my degree. I’ve seen a job which is interesting but they ask for a MA or extensive experience. I don’t have extensive experience but will apply anyway. I’m thinking of registering for a distance learning MA if I don’t get the job. It’s pretty much the only field I think I would have a chance of getting a job in but I lack the piece of paper. But I’m really not sure my brain is sufficient to study again! I can’t remember most of my degree (hence not being able to get a job in this field) and I don’t know if I would be able to do it. It it possible to learn theory and new topics at 40?

I did! Second degree, then a PhD. Go for it!

Of course. I did a professional marketing qualification at 40.

Yes of course! It will get easier and easier as you do it! Go for it!

I've just finished a degree at 49. Go for it.

I'm 43 and just passed a really technical professional qualification that was relatively new to me. I moved jobs and have a round of qualifications I need to work through.

I’m 47 and have one year left on my degree. Do it.

Of course it is. Openlearn had a course about postgraduate study and how to prepare yourself to return to learning and do a postgraduate course. Might be worth doing that seeing as it's free before enrolling for anything?

For sure. I’m a uni lecturer and we have a lot of mature students, the majority of whom do really well.

Fingers crossed you get the job...last job I applied for said applicants need a phd which I don’t have but I got the job. 😄

Yes! I’m 41 and doing an MA. It is hard and fitting it in is the challenge, but my brain does still work. I’ve had years of no sleep and so I am not as ‘on it’ as I used to be but the more I do, the better I get. Do it!

Of course you can! I completely retrained at 40. DH is 46 and about to start his masters.

Hopefully I will do one when he has finished.

We also got our first degrees with the OU and highly recommend.

Good luck!

I started my OU degree very late 30s and finished it early forties (with three DCs under 3 when I started!) Then teaching qualification, now a teacher!
Of course you can OP. Absolutely!

I’m 35 and doing my first degree. I didn’t know if I’d be up to it academically as I didn’t do well at school (lack of effort rather than lack of ability) and have only done a couple of vocational level 3s as an adult.

I’ve so far got either a first or a 2:1 for everything I’ve done. So I’m happy with that.

I say go for it.

I’ll be 44 when I complete my masters in a technical, professional subject.

I retrained as a bookkeeper at age 40..so yes!

I really hope it's possible, as I'm 43 and start my first degree in September! I have done some studying since leaving school but none in last 15 years.

Absolutely you can! I’m 52 and desperate to return to studying!

Yes, I've done a level 5 and am doing a level 7 professional qualification in my 40s. I'm enjoying it. It's nice to do something you're really interested in rather then picking from a list as I did for my degree.

yes. it might take more effort/time but go for it.

I'm 46 and only started learning Spanish in December. it's going well!

Age is no barrier whatsoever, OP.

But you haven't said what qualifies you to begin this MA. Do you have sufficient knowledge / skill / experience to provide a good grounding in postgraduate study of the subject?

I don’t know! I meet the entry requirements which are just a previous degree. I’ve been doing the job “unofficially” in all of my previous positions (18 month temp contract a couple of years ago for something else and the job I had before DC) but have no official piece of paper to say I can do it.
I just feel like my head is totally empty!

Go for it ! I'm starting teacher training in September and I'm 50. I'm currently having to study for equivalency exams in maths and biology - it's nice to know my brain still works !

I’m closer to 60 and planning to start a PhD next year. No age limit to following your interests.

I started last October, there are 6 of us on the programme. All but 1 are over 40 includung me

I find it tough at times, trying to fit in working FT, housework and being a single parent.

However, It's really enjoyable, my peers are really supportive as are the tutors and I know the hard work now will pay off once I graduate

Go for it OP

My husband is currently doing a law degree. He is 70.

My mother also did a degree in her 70s.

Go for it!

47 just finishing my degree as we speak. Go for it