To start another degree & not work for 4 years

[mononoaware1907]

Right.... I don't even know how to start this but I'll try to make it as short as possible

I have a degree in a quite irrelevant field (though I do speak 4 languages fluently), that I've graduated from in 2015. Since then I worked in banking in the UK, then returned to my home country in 2016 and continued working in banking. Banking doesn't make me happy, it's poorly paid here, and quite boring tbf. I am 25 and the degree would be 4 years (this is relevant)

I have discussed both with my parents and my partner and they suggested I should start another degree (full time study) in Law since they know this interests me and I could have a well paid and interesting career after completing my degree. (i would start this year)

Re money: I have quite a lot in savings and full support from my parents and partner.

My question is: is it too late for me, at 25, to go full time at uni, quit my boring job, and turn my life around? Would I be weird studying alongside 18 years olds? For the record, no children yet.

Please give me your opinions? WWYD?

Thanks!

Of course it's not too late. You're showing your youth by thinking it might be! I'm 39 and wouldn't think of myself as too old for this op. I 'm almost embarrassed to admit this op, but I would be unlikely to notice the difference between an 18 year old and a 25 year old if you stood next to one another!

Certainly not too late! Many people do degrees much later than this, and if it's what you want, then go for it.

Will you study in your home country or in the UK? You probably need to make sure that you study the law for whichever country you hope to work in.

Have you considered doing a postgraduate conversion course instead?

Unpopular option:
25 is not too late for uni although you may find them a bit immature but It depends entirely on where you are studying Law. Anything other than a top uni and I wouldn’t bother personally.

The fact is a lot of lawyers aren’t making “good salaries” they are struggling.

AI is having a big impact on legal fields (it is removing jobs at magic circles at a surprising rate) so I’d consider seriously how much you desperately want to take on ££££ in debt to pursue this.

You speak 4 languages with a degree and linguistic skills could you not just go into another area of business like insurance, media or marketing? Media is much more “fun” and company average age is usually fairly low vs finance sector.
insurance/marketing tend to get a lot of perks and jollies.

When I did my degree there were several people in their 40’s!

Also forgot to say if you have a degree can’t you just do a law conversion?(only takes a year)

If you have savings and relevant people are supportive of you, absolutely do it. It’s an investment for the future, and of course you’re not too old! In our country, we have a university scheme for students whereby you have to be twenty-three or over to participate. Best of luck with it, and hope it leads you to a fulfilling and rewarding career!

Absolutely do it! What are your reasons for not doing it? I went back to uni for a one year course at 26 and it was great - I knew what I was there for and really appreciated the privilege of being able to get stuck into learning in a way I hadn’t first time round.

I'd go for it....would you want to be a lawyer in your home country? Or another

Although in the UK there are many law graduates and precious few legal positions.... In my cousins BVC, (horrendously expensive) less than 5%went on to gain pupillage...

WTAF? Why would you be too old at 25? I'm sure you have some friends who are older than you, you may also have some who are younger than you, so no reason why you wouldn't fit in.

Presumably you won't be living on campus/in student accommodation, so you won't really be looking for drinking/partying buddies!

I'm sure you'll find plenty of other students around your age, if not older.

Op I could have wrote your post. I too have a degree that is irrelevant I also worked in banking for a number of years.

Last year at the age of 27 I start my first year of a professional qualified degree I'm now going into my 2nd year (3 year course). I am left work and started. It's the best decision you could make, do it.

Years at uni seem to fly by for some weird reason and it will be over before you know it. I will graduate when I'm 30 so that's a good 35 years in my chosen career, think of it that way

Difference is is I have a child and I'm a single parent but still managed this.

Both my sisters and one of my brothers started their degrees in their 40s. Go for it.

I started Uni at 24 - 25 is not too old. And a friend of mine did a second degree at the same age, but it was fully funded in an area of NHS need.

But there’s no need to do another 4 year degree to go into law, you can do a 1-2 year law conversion course, the GDL (graduate diploma in law) so YABU to do another whole degree when there’s no need to to move into the field you want.

If I was in your shoes, I'd jump at the chance. Do you live at home still (sorry I can't remember if you mentioned this in your OP) or do you have to run your own household and pay bills?

I'll always kick myself that I never went back to university when I was still living at home paying a tiny amount on board. Now I have children and my own household to run I don't think I'll ever have the means, so please do it!

Do go back and study! I wish I had, but like you felt too old at 25... You're not, but really soon life does start getting on top of you, then you have kids then all of a sudden it really is a bit late.

Agree with pps though that if law is your interest, it's a bit crazy to go back and do a whole undergrad - a conversion course will be shorter, cheaper, you'll have more in common with your peers, and this plus your banking experience will be just as employable as if you did the whole course.

As PPs said look at doing a conversion degree - just be aware you may not be able to get a job as a solicitor or barrister at the end of it though. The only person I know who was definitely told she could get a job was a medical doctor, but she didn't pursue it in the end. All other friends' and acquaintances who are solicitors and barristers found it damn difficult to get their jobs - many worked as paralegals first - and in fact I know some solicitors who did get roles but quit 5-10 years on to do other things as they hated the long hours or couldn't progress.

I did a degree at 27 there was another 27 year old, about 4 x 25 year olds and a lady who was 40.

I think an 18 does think you are old and sometimes they can be a little annoying in terms of maturity / first time away from home issues. But honestly age is all forgotten after the first term. Also yours is a very academic course so they might be a bit calmer and more focused not a crazy bunch of hormonal party animals

I had to work too which I found very hard. But if you don't then go for it.

• 18 year old

Go for it, you won't regret it.

I am a serial studier. I have two degrees and two PG qualifications. I am currently studying more modules in the hope of being accepted for an MLitt in a subject unrelated to those i have done before. I am 55!

There are people of all ages at uni. The oldest person i have met, and who only has one more year until she gets her degree, is aged 77! 25 is no age at all.

Nope, never too late. Last year I taught a 66 year old retiree who was wishing to go to uni to study archeology. I found it incredibly admirable.

You are 25! Far too young to be wasting your years in a job you detest. Go for it.

To answer your question no not too old. I did this (not law) at 29 and best thing I ever did.

What are job prospects like in your country because in the U.K. it’s hard to get a training contract/job. I know people with law degrees working as clerks in law firms hoping one day to get trained up.

Why not look at Real Estate Management?

Lots of law content, very interesting but lots of other bits, so never dull. With languages you could look at working for one of the big investment institutions on their property portfolios?

I wouldn’t study law to chase money. Only study it if you’re truly interested in it and it’s something very special for you to complete your studies in. The thing is, it’s terribly competitive. Like beyond so. Most law alumni don’t work in the field as it isn’t that competitive. You may end up in something like HR or something completely unrelated. The job market isn’t as straightforward & guaranteed as you expect. You have to work terribly hard, network, come at the top of your class, secure prestigious magic circle placements and study at a well respected uni, when your peers will be younger than you and whilst you balance the rest of your life. Truly think about wha it entails.

You are not being unreasonable by studying again, but you have to seriously consider if law is the right path for you.

Pippylou’s suggestion is a good one actually

Also if by chance you do end up working in the field, you’ll be around 30 in a very entry level position. That may work against you in this field as others your age will be much more robust and experienced. So I would go for it if you’d be comfortable with that. You wouldn’t really be dealing with the ‘interesting parts’ until much later.