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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go to university again?

114 replies

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 19:49

I am married with 3 DCs aged 5 and under. I have a university place for September 2019.

I'm currently a SAHM, DH earns 21k as of last month, for years it has been around 19k. We rent and just got our first car in February. We have about 12k debt. We both have degrees, but I need another one to do a degree which will enable me to work in the NHS and also independently if I wanted to.

AIBU to prolong our debt status by going back to university, graduating when our DCs will be 10, 9 and 7?

I can't decide whether it is best to do it now and get it out of the way, or do it later when it's more convenient. The catch is, our youngest doesn't go to school until 2020 and even with the 30 hours, RTW now when I've had a long career break to a decent wage will be difficult. Unless I go full time I won't be able to work in my previous sector, so I am left with very little prospects unless I give up my time with my DCs.

So, AIBU going to uni?

OP posts:

Colbu24 · 09/06/2018 20:17

Sounds like you have thought of everything and it sounds doable.
I'm sure it's going to be exhausting but if you can do it as you'll be able to get work when the kids get to school.
It's a great plan.

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:17

Is the threshold for childcare grant much higher now? When we were in a similar position between 2013 and 2015 you had to be absolutely on the bones of your arse to get it. We didn't qualify and as ExDH was a full time student we didn't get childcare help from tax credits either.

This is how they work it out, which was confirmed to me recently over the phone. The only reason we are eligible is because our childcare costs will be so high (13k for the year) and our income 19k.

brunelstudents.com/pageassets/advice/money/How-is-CCG-calculated-15-16.pdf

OP posts:

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:18

Not accelerated so to speak, graduates do medicine in 4 rather than 5, nursing in 2 rather than 3. OT can be a masters degree over 2 years.

Trust me, I've looked into it. Also, as I am a parent I can't just move around just for uni- there are only two universities in my area and neither of them do it.

OP posts:

Miladamermalada · 09/06/2018 20:23

Well good luck OP.

FoofFighter · 09/06/2018 20:24

I wouldn't count on housing benefit(universal credit if its active in your area)
I'm a single parent ft degree student and get no housing benefit. I do get the ctax reduction though (full for me)

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:29

I'm not counting on it no. UC doesn't affect me yet as we have 3 children, but there are some plans to bring it in next year so I'm bearing that in mind. Thank you though.

OP posts:

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:31

If it comes to the point next year that we get confirmation from Student Loans and there's been changes in HB and UC too, then I will just have to withdraw from the course and RTW. It's absolutely not what I want of course, but needs must.

OP posts:

Skinnyjeansandaloosetop · 09/06/2018 20:32

I did an OT degree, already had another degree, and graduated in my 30’s after feeling unfulfilled in other jobs. If you’ve done your sums and feel you can manage the debt then you should definitely do it. There’s always work available, less locuming these days, but perm I find is preferable with school age dc’s. And as you say, private work is becoming increasingly the norm. And congrats for getting on a course!

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:33

Thanks Skinnyjeans. I just wish it didn't have to be so long and so intense (full time hours) but if you want something badly enough...

OP posts:

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 09/06/2018 20:35

Given you haven't really used the first degree, have no recent work experience in anything then will you ever actually use a second degree? Have you even paid back your first student loan?

It's an awfully long time to leave your DH as the sole earner, take top up benefits and get into even more debt. At £12k that's more than half his annual salary which should be a huge worry to you, I'm guessing that doesn't even include your student loan for the first time. You would be better off working and helping out and once stable revisiting the idea once you can juggle the workload of a FT job and children as you currently couldn't do that as you gave up working.

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:38

Given you haven't really used the first degree, have no recent work experience in anything then will you ever actually use a second degree? Have you even paid back your first student loan?

I'm a care leaver so I don't really have much of a student loan, just a few grand. Why does it matter whether I have paid it back yet or not? I don't know anyone my age who has.

Why would I not use something that gives me a direct qualification and will allow me to register on the HCPC and practice as an SLT, as opposed to a Criminology degree that gave me nothing but further knowledge on crime?

OP posts:

Alanamackree · 09/06/2018 20:40

Have you costed and considered this against a realistic estimate of your time - so course time, travel time, hours to study and write, lost hours between classes or waiting to pick up dc outside of crèches etc?

When you qualify what will your working conditions be like? If you are newly qualified you could be working full time plus just to get a foothold. While an experienced SLT might be able to reduce hours to suit family life you could be in the opposite position. By the time you reach a point where you can work family friendly hours, your family would be grown up.

What would happen if you delayed this for another couple of years - pros and cons?

What is a realistic salary expectation in the first five years?

How will this effect the bottom line of your weekly household budget? What specific expenditure will you be giving up to afford this?

Do you have the support of your dp?

Are you prepared to sacrifice this time with your dc?

No need to answer here- these are just things to consider. And there’s no implied judgement either!! Well done on getting to this point.

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:44

Also Boxsets, when I graduated in 2010, the prospects for my degree having any use were dead. Hence why I haven't used it, and only know of very few of my university friends that have a job related to their degrees. We were young and hopeful/stupid then graduated into a pitiful job market which has thankfully increased since but meant a lot of us ended up in unrelated professions just because we needed a job.

OP posts:

Sofabitch · 09/06/2018 20:45

I thought only the fees were paid for a second NHS degree. Are you sure you'll get the maintence loan?

madja · 09/06/2018 20:46

If you can do it now, and have a place, then go. If you put it off till it's a 'better' time, well, frankly it never is a better time, and you may end up not doing it (which is what happened to me, and I never ended up doing it) I presume it will up your earning potential also. Short term pain for long term gain 😀

Miladamermalada · 09/06/2018 20:49

BanginChoons · 09/06/2018 20:53

I'm a current NHS student and a single parent, I think you should go for it. Not sure why there seems to be so much negativity on this thread.

You will have an income over the 3 years, and when you qualify you will presumably have a better family income because of it. It will be a bit of a juggle but having a supportive partner will help when it comes to housework and kids when you have assignments on the go.

With regards to loans, few NHS students will pay their loan off in full. Advice bandied around is to view it as a graduate tax as opposed to a loan, and accept it will always be coming out of your wage packet.

Good luck OP, take the opportunity. If it gets to much there is the option to defer a year.

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 20:57

I thought only the fees were paid for a second NHS degree. Are you sure you'll get the maintence loan?

Yes. if you are exempt from ELQ, which my course is.

OP posts:

Elspeth12345 · 09/06/2018 20:58

Hi OP,

It sounds like you're quite motivated to get on with it now? and maybe have pretty much made the decision?

There is actually a Postgraduate degree, which is open to applicants with degrees in related subjects (e.g. Linguistics, Psychology, Neuroscience etc.)- is your first degree not related to SLT?

Original poster

hopelessandhopeful · 09/06/2018 21:06

No it's not. I can't get on anything I looked at because of a) my location and b) that I got a 2:2 in Criminology with Forensic Science. Anything I saw wanted a degree in Psychology to do a accelerated course.

I am motivated, and have done a lot of research and intense calculations but if we can't afford it then sadly we can't afford it :( silly really, as it would be to give us a better life overall :(

OP posts:

HerRoyalNotness · 09/06/2018 21:10

I think it’s sensible to do it now. It’s a degree that will get you work when you are done. better now than waiting around a few more years to do it. I’m older and doing my first degree and feel very aggrieved I didn’t do it when younger.

Geppetto · 09/06/2018 21:17

I'm an SLT, and qualified in 2 years as a post grad. I would strongly recommend contacting a few universities and talking to them. On my course loads of us had non related first degrees. I remember someone who was an actress, someone with a degree in ceramics, someone with an English degree. Lots of us were older and some certainly had families. It's bloody hard work though, as effectively you're squishing 4 years worth of training and clinical placements into 2 years.

FASH84 · 09/06/2018 21:29

There are lots of jobs you can do with a criminology degree, police graduate programme, prisons, probation, forensic technician and associated roles, clerk and many others some of which have great progression and salaries more than comparable with an SLT. But sure have the luxury of doing another degree because it interests you, while your partner struggles on a low wage to support you and your three children, and claim as many benefits as possible, which you seem to know an awful lot about. While there was a thread on here today about a family with a severely disabled child who had to fight tooth and nail to get any support at all. Maybe when you finish, you'll decide there aren't any jobs you like the look of, and do another degree. I don't care if I get flamed for this. I'm all in favour of education, but this is a very selfish decision at this time.

donajimena · 09/06/2018 21:29

Absolutely do it! My finances are different because I'm a lone parent but workload I am doing a full time degree, working part time plus bringing up two children. I find I work more effectively. Procrastination is not an option as I have to study in my free time x

Miladamermalada · 09/06/2018 21:32

But sure have the luxury of doing another degree because it interests you, while your partner struggles on a low wage to support you and your three children, and claim as many benefits as possible, which you seem to know an awful lot about. While there was a thread on here today about a family with a severely disabled child who had to fight tooth and nail to get any support at all.
Wow must be hard to cope with all that bitterness you've got inside you.
Obviously you are above the benefits system. Hopefully someone as perfect as you won't ever need to stoop so low...……...

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