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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To thinks its too late?

118 replies

kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:06

To do a degree. I don't have one, have always wanted one. Grin
I'm 35, have 5 children currently working as a bank admin in the voluntary sector.

DH will be redundant in September so I thought it's the perfect time to think of ME for a change (not really, more of our future)

BUT? Is it to late for this year? My closest uni is Sheffield and I have left it too late to apply normally and would have to go through the clearing process.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
HearMyRoar · 19/07/2014 13:07

Do it! Phone them and speak to the admissions people. They will be able to talk you through the options :)

BumpAndGrind · 19/07/2014 13:10

Its not to late, but you may need to do a year long access course first to gather UCAS points.

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:10

Roar - thanks for that. I see so many people on here who have wonderful success stories but who have tons of other stuff going on - I think why can't that be me ?

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Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:12

Bump - I think I may have enough UCAS points Grin

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AuntieStella · 19/07/2014 13:13

Good on you!

Yes, it's quite possible that the course/s you want will be full, but worth finding out. The worst they can say is no. And admissions tutors might be able to give advice now on your academic CV and whether there are gaps that need filling.

Do look at the Open University too.

YellowStripe · 19/07/2014 13:15

Definitely phone and ask! I started my degree at 36 with 3 kids, separated from twat-h after a year, moved house, and got a 1st with Honours. Study time was 12 hrs a week. You can do it !

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:16

Stella - thanks for that I will do. I'm not sure that I could do OU. I'm sure I work better being able to get out of the house and go into a Bricks and Mortar place to learn.

P.S I have an auntie Stella Grin

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Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:17

Yellow - do you mind me asking what subject you studied?

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RachaelAgnes · 19/07/2014 13:21

I started my nursing degree at your age. No regrets!!

nicename · 19/07/2014 13:25

What about funding? They are bloody expensive now!

My first was a few hundred pounds a term, second was paid for by my work and the third was self-funded OU (about £500 odd per module seem to remember). I was recently considering doing another one in a subject I'd always wanted to study and it was tens of thousands of pounds, plus some pre-courses I'd need to take!

You can do it, OP! Piece of piss. No, English Lit wasn't one of mine...!

Jinsei · 19/07/2014 13:25

Definitely phone and ask. Good luck! :)

What do you want to study?

OberonTheHopeful · 19/07/2014 13:30

I'd say go for it! I have done a couple of OU modules in the past and found them to be really good, and with good tutor support. From what I remember you pay for each module as you do it.

ChazzerChaser · 19/07/2014 13:30

Yes do it. The government have removed caps so in effect there is no full, although clearly universities have limited capacity.

It's not expensive now. It's free when you do it, pay it back when you earn over a certain amount. No upfront costs. Except living expenses clearly.

And they'll have different entry requirements for mature students, they'll take life experiences into account. You may well be surprised what a head start that will give you

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:30

Jin - I'm really interested in History but wouldn't mind combining it with something else.

OP posts:
ChazzerChaser · 19/07/2014 13:31

Just to add re the cost, it's true it's free so long as you haven't already received any money, ie started and dropped out. It's only free once.

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:32

Chazzer - thanks for that it's very encouraging.

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Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:33

Sorry cross post Chazzer. No I've never started and dropped out before.

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ElephantsNeverForgive · 19/07/2014 13:36

Not too old, I lived with a thirty something law student and the law conversion course gang on my train were in their 40's and 50's. They were great, I used to have coffee with them some mornings.

ChickenFajitaAndNachos · 19/07/2014 13:39

I went slightly later than the average start age when DS1 was nearly 5 and lots of the students were in their 30's, 40's and 50's. My aunt went to uni in her 50's. On my course all the more 'mature' students completed their course even though there was a fairly high drop out rate. I think it's definitely doable. There's nothing worse than having the regret of not going. Good luck.

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:39

Elephants - law is an interesting subject but I don't think I am clever enough Sad

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Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:41

Chicken - thanks, that's exactly it. I do regret not going straight from college but my circumstances at the time wouldn't have allowed it.
In all honesty I think it would mean more to me now anyway.

OP posts:
andsmile · 19/07/2014 13:42

No Im 39 and doing a seond degree as a career change. ive wondered if I am too late and I talkto to others no - we gonna work a long time now.

Do look at OU - they have financial services modules, easy 10 credit ones at level 1,

andsmile · 19/07/2014 13:43

sorry I sgguested it as you are in banking.

Trills · 19/07/2014 13:46

law is an interesting subject but I don't think I am clever enough

I don't think you have to me "more clever" to do law than to do history - it's just different set of skills/interests.

Original poster
kappadelta · 19/07/2014 13:46

And - I'm not in banking. I'm bank as in work as and when the organisation need me Smile

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