To think 21 is too old to be starting a levels

[Skyfullofstars55]

The person will be 23 by the time they finish which is five years older than the norm

Fuck the norm.

Surely an access course would be better

YABVU!

Not in the least, they want to improve their education and perhaps get an apprenticeship or go to uni. Way to go!

So what? If they want to do them, what's the problem? YABU.

Don't be ridiculous. I know someone who did a A levels and a degree in her 40s and a PhD in her 50s.

Yabu. My 28 year old friend recently went to evening college to do a gcse. Never too old to do qualifications that can help yourself.

Of course it isnt

Never too old. Never.

At my college you couldn't get funded at that age. It was Access or nothing.

I'd say it depends what they want to do. A Levels are far more easily/readily understood IME than the plethora of college and access courses available though (in terms of among the general population, people in business who might be interviewing them in the future, etc)

So? I went back to uni aged 30 to do my MA. Did much better as a mature student than I did as a youngster. Its never too late.

Never to late to educate!

You are never too old to study. YABVU to think that.

That is the maddest thing I have heard all day.

As someone who is hoping to graduate from university this year, very much older than 'the norm,' YABU.

This person doesn't have the choice of going back in time and taking A Levels five years ago. They can do them now, or when they're even older, or not at all. Presumably they have a reason for choosing A Levels over an Access course - it's their life, it's up to them. Personally, I hate the notion that life is some sort of conveyor belt and everyone should do the same things at the same time.

I did two A levels in a year, when I was 30. I got an A in both. I absolutely loved doing them. Education as an adult is amazing. You do it because you want to, you're motivated and mature. I subsequently did a diploma a degree and a post-grad. You're never too old.

If they're self funding evening classes and happy to put a lot of work in and are interested in studying for its own sake then that's fine.

If they're studying primarily to go to university, want to study full time or in the day, and be funded, then yes an Access to Higher Education course is far more appropriate.

I had a friend who was ill during her teens, had to drop out after GCSEs and then went back to our old school at 20 to do her A-levels. She said they were all really lovely to her. She went on to university and she's now an HCP and loves her job, so it worked for her.

Think i was that age starting my a levels...went on to get a degree.... one lady on my course was 88 years young whilst others were 16....

Not too old. You are too old when you are dead, other than that...

Well I did an Access Course in my late 30's and then my BA. The eldest person on the course was in their 50's.

They'll still have 20 years, usually none stop, no need for maternity leave etc, of working life left.

I think that it's a bit silly to have to decide what you want 30k worth of debt in and to do for the rest of your life, before your 21.

Who is this person?

A levels are not time sensitive. You can do them whenever.

Given retirement age will be 100 , it's never too late to learn new skills.