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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if a 23 year old should be starting a levels

59 replies

User700800 · 30/12/2017 15:35

Ds1 who has an ehcp is going to start a new college on September. He's been at home for three years prior to this and we've recently got him an ehcp. He wants to do a level three course but obviously these our two years and he would be 25 when he finished. I've suggested an access course to him However he says this will be too much work.

OP posts:
AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 30/12/2017 15:36

I did an access course at 24 (after dropping out of a-levels) and found it much easier. And it was only a year rather than two for a-levels.

Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 15:59

That's my think he will be able to do a course st the same level but in a year.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 30/12/2017 16:01

I wouldn't expect an access course to be more work than doing 3 A-levels.
However, 23 isn't too old to be doing A-levels. If he is ready now, then he is ready now.

NancyDonahue · 30/12/2017 16:05

Access courses are quite intense but many students on them are also working or have caring responsibilities, so if he has neither of those he shouldn't find it too hard. Is he hoping to go to uni?

ExtraSpecial1 · 30/12/2017 16:07

He can do an access course and get an advanced leaner loan which means he will not have to pay anything back if he completes a degree afterwards. I'm doing an access course online through the distance learning centre which I am paying for ( already done level three study so don't get a leaner loan ) and it's a lot more doable than I thought, a lot more. I did a levels in my early twenties and they were more work I'm going to vet school in September if I get the right number of distinctions.

MadeinBelfast · 30/12/2017 16:07

What does he want to do afterwards? Some universities will only allow you to progress to certain degrees with an Access qualification, there are sometimes more options available if you have 3 (good) A levels. I wouldn't say that Access is any harder than A levels, I know of people who would say it is easier but that's possibly due to Access students generally being older and more focused.

agentdaisy · 30/12/2017 16:42

My best friend at college was 23 when she started her a-levels, the rest of the class were 16/17 and it was fine. I can't see the problem with doing a-levels at 23 or even older.

QuestionableMouse · 30/12/2017 16:55

I did an access course while working full time. My sister had a tiny baby and worked too.

You're never too old for education regardless of how old you are.

ImDoingLaundry · 30/12/2017 17:50

I did an access course with a 16 month old. It's hard going but the tutors were very supportive and I got DDDMM for my 5 modules. It was only 3 days a week so I spent 2 days on my assignments and kept the weekend free for family time.

Much preferred doing it with people my own age and found it a LOT easier than when I attempted A levels when I was 17 (I dropped out after 2 attempts at 6th form).
I'm now at uni (though taken some time out for maternity leave) and really feel like the access course prepared me better for my course than A levels did.

Tippz · 30/12/2017 17:51

You are never too old for anything!

Good luck to him. Smile

Anniethinggose · 30/12/2017 19:02

Its the same thing isn't it? I did mine at the age of 26.

KanielOutis · 30/12/2017 19:18

I’ve just finished a level 3 course. I’m 30.

Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 19:19

No a levels would be with 16/17 year olds and would be two years and access course would be with adult learners.

OP posts:
Anniethinggose · 30/12/2017 19:24

I was told you can't do A levels after a certain point these days.
I did Access levels 2 and 3, over 2 years. Didn't have to do the level 2, though so that would take it down to just a year.
Then went on to 3 years at uni. Universities prefer/see dedication in Access applicants over younger A level students in a lot of cases.

Bambamber · 30/12/2017 19:41

I am currently doing a levels at 27. I've already got a college qualification but would like to change careers

Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 19:44

Bambamber thanks for your response. Could I ask what's it like for you being with teenagers? Just so I can maybe give my son some idea of what it may be like for him?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 30/12/2017 19:56

Where would he be doing them ?
If he is thinking a school (as you mention all 16 + 17 yr olds) then would they let him anyway ?
If he is doing them at a local college, then I'd be really surprised if they were all 16 / 17 yr olds - as this thread alone shows, as well as knowledge of my local college.

Halie · 30/12/2017 20:04

If he goes to a college they won't all be 16/17 - there will be other people like himself who are taking them as adults. Access courses are just as difficult and tend to be quite high pressure because they cram a lot of work into one academic year.

Is he looking to gain A-levels in order to apply to university? If so, some courses are very particular about qualifications and prefer or stipulate A-levels so this may be part of his reasoning. If he is looking to apply for courses which allow other qualifications such as access/open university they he ought to consider those options because they can be completed sooner and they often cost less.

It really depends on what he wants the qualifications for.

His age is not the issue.

Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 20:12

He's going to an fe college but I was assuming most young people go straight on to a levels from school?

OP posts:
starzig · 30/12/2017 20:29

Age does not matter. Whatever he feels is better for him is the best option

CurryWorst · 30/12/2017 20:31

You don't need to do a levels as a mature student, you can go straight to a degree. A levels are worthless at 23.

Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 21:15

Curryworst you can not gain entry into a U.K. University without a level three course.

OP posts:
Original poster
User700800 · 30/12/2017 21:15

Unless you do the open university

OP posts:
wherethevioletsgrow · 30/12/2017 21:32

A levels are worthless at 23

They're not if you want to work in a competitive profession like law. There, unless you have A-levels/IB you would be at a disadvantage compared to the applicants that do. Additionally, top universities often require A-levels rather than access courses.

LegallyBrunet · 30/12/2017 21:45

I did an access course at 22 and loved it and also balanced working as home care worker around it. I've also done A-Levels. I wouldn't say A-Level was easier, because it was very stressful, however I felt more independence and a slightly higher level was expected on Access even though it was also a level three course as they were preparing for university life. I also felt the standard of teaching was better for me personally as all my tutors had worked in the field beforehand (law). It is very full on though as they try to cram two years worth of stuff, plus UCAS applications into one year. I'd been at college two weeks before starting my UCAS! If your son wants to go to uni, I'd definitely recommend Access over A-Level. I'm at uni now and I feel a lot more prepared than my fresh from A-Level counterparts

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