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

YABU to be hung up about an arbitrary time frame for learning, education and qualifications.

Did my a-levels at 21 because I ballsed them up as a 16 year old. There were people older than me at the college!

At 23 this person has at least 43 years of work to do something with them! Never too late!

I took Econmics at 28, I didn't realise there was an age limit. The college seemed happy enough to accept the cheque

She's going to be 23 anyway, so she can either be 23 with qualifications or without them

You're never too old for anything?! I did a degree at the grand age of 27, graduated at 30 with a toddler and a baby on the way, I'm really proud of myself for that, why on earth is that too old?! I'm considering doing a masters and I'm 40 this year with another baby.

You're never too old for education.

You're never to old to better your education!!

You are clearly mad.

I'm almost 24 and just completing the Scottish equivalent of A Levels. I'll be starting University in September and won't graduate until I'm 28

If I decide to do a PGDE in the next couple of years, I'll need to do a school-level qualification in maths as my grade from school isn't high enough. I'll be nearly 30!

YABU! There's no age limit on these things, and even so, it's hardly late is it?!

My H did bugger all at school. He went to college and did a foundation course in his very late 20's, and uni in his 30's (working all the while). He's now an architect, with a good long while to work yet!

Hopefully by now you will have realised that you are definitely BU OP!

I am 39 and considering doing some A levels in the subjects that I should have done when I was 16-18 (but decided on a whim that I was an artist and buggered off to art school instead) - maybe then I'll go and do a(nother) degree , would be looking at graduating at around 45 - with at least another 20 years of work ahead of me I don't think it's a waste of time at all.

Exactly what dormouse says. Better to be 23 and have done the qualifications they want rather than 23 and still regretting not doing them.

At 21 they still have their whole adult life ahead of them. I think if they don't do it now in 20 years time they'll wonder why they held back for the fear of being 5 years older...5 years is nothing. Besides if they're doing it through a night class or whatever chances are they will be one of the youngest on the course anyway.

I have 3 A levels from when I was 18 but sometimes wish I'd done a different subject that would've lead to a different career path. If I decide that's what I definitely want to do I'll be going back and doing said A level...And I can only dream of being 21.

I suspect you may be talking about yourself OP...In which case don't be held back by your worries of what others think. As this thread proves most people would just think (if they do think at all) 'good on you'. If you're not talking about yourself than don't be a judgy fucker and be the reason someone else is held back.

Whether A-levels or an Access course are the best way to go will surely depend on what the niece wants to study afterwards? Some courses require very specific knowledge/skills, not all universities offer access courses that prepare you for everything.

YABU I finished my degree at 39 @and started a new career at 40. Still have years and years to work and will do a postgrad at some point in the next 5 years. I work with college age students and many of them are over the age of 20. There is no norm now when it comes to gaining qualifications and I think it should be encouraged.

YABU and ridiculous. Not everyone can, or wants to, neatly adhere to the 'standard' time frame of education.

No way. It is never too late for education.
I did a particular O level and the next year the A level aged 27 and 28. (after having tonnes of other unrelated A levels acquired at the 'appropriate' age). This lead me to a professional course which later became my career.
So, what is the problem?

I'm doing a PhD in my late 20s and used to worry I'd left it too late. Sometimes still do think that, but I now know it's silly. It's never too late to go back to education, I've spoken to lots of people who went to evening classes to gain the qualifications needed to go to uni and most were much older than 23.

Plus I found out that being an older student made me a better one in a sense that I had a great incentive to study and devoured knowledge with pleasure. I don't think it would have been this pleasurable when I was younger. (My opinion related to myself - I don't want to enter into disputes about this).

Education is not age related - it's not a case of you can only get educated before a certain age. I did an access course in my thirties, a a degree and a masters in my forties and am now doing a PhD in my fifties. 21 yrs old is nothing - someone that age will have a much longer life expectancy than ever before - they are likely to live until at least 90 - they've got years ahead to benefit from having done A levels.

Age is not a barrier to education.