to think that university tutors should recongise A-levels from 15 years ago

[frances5]

I did my A-levels 15 years ago. I got good grades and I did a degree in Physics. I now want a career change. I am interested in working in audiology. My degree is considered too long ago to do a masters. I can't do a BSc because they won't recongise my A-levels because they were done too long ago. I have been recommended to do an A-level in biology or a science access course. There are no adult evening classes where I can do A-level Biology and I feel that doing an access course is riculous.

I have a couple of deaf people in my family including my son. Surely being a mature student I would have loads to give.

OU course? Think that they would just need evidnce of recent study so even if the OU didn't do the right course it may help you?

Bummer! I have no helpful advice but I really feel for you.

Hate I to stir the pot but is this legal? An A level is an A level (surely this is discriminatory?)

Since when did A-levels and degrees have expiry dates? This is outrageous. Complain.

my pal is a lecturer and would love to teach someone with as many qualifications as you! they let people in with bugger all now and then wonder why they don't cope.

This is ridiculous! A science access course for someone with a degree in physics!!

I think as Mrs Who says it is more about getting back into study than the actual qualifications.

its not that its out of date, they need evidence of recent study. it doesn't matter what course you do either so you could a do a summer course in something else that you really like and that would count

YANBU, this does sound ridiculous, but who can you complain to?

Have you asked this lot what they think?

It doesn't say 3 A levels taken less than 15 years ago, does it?

Could you not question their "ageism" as really if they are discriminating against 15 year old A 'Levels then this discriminates against older students.

They may have a point about wanting you to consider your ability to apply yourself to studying full-time though if you have been out of education for over 10 years.

'kin 'ell my A's are 22 years old ..and I graduated in 1989.. I'm buggered

I'm a university lecturer, and I've been responsible for admissions to both UG and PG courses. I am usually very keen to take on mature students - generally, IME, they are committed and hardworking. I certainly wouldn't see 15 year old qualifications as obsolete, but before letting someone take on the commitment of a full degree programme, I would want to see evidence of recent study - just to be sure they knew what they were letting themselves in for, were still genuinely open to learning etc. So I agree that the OU might be a useful route.

That said, I'm in the humanities and it may all play differently in the sciences. Who told you your degree is too old to qualify you for a masters?

This sounds ridiculous - how annoying. Is it just one university, and if so could you try another? I did a degree as a mature student about 12 years after my A levels and there was no problem - I've got friends who left it a lot longer and didn't do access courses. Do you have any proof of study (e.g. a short course) that you did in the interim that could sway them?

i'm perplexed by this also. I do probably think that the degree is too long in the tooth for a masters, the subject area isnt directly related but then again, it is - i know someone who was doing research into a condition that causes deafness. She was colaborating with someone in our department (biology) and it turned out her PhD was in physics. Her research at the time was looking at defects in the wee hairs in the ears and the genetics behind this, very interesting. Of course she was studying this using the fruit fly as a model, yeah yeah, i know, fruit flies don't have ears! But, their sensory bristles are a similar structure and defects in these are caused by similar genes as in humans (oooh, get me, i really need to get back to work! not yet, enjoying being a SAHM at the mo)

I have to say that i would rather do the access than the A-level TBH. You could probably skip most of the modules and fast track it. I did an access course and it was great, im not sure how it prepared me for uni as i struggled big time in my first year but then so did most of the A-level entrants.

I would be a bit peeved too and im sure it would be worth talking to the admissions officer about it. Did you then go and work in a science related field, or did you do what i did and hang my qualifications on the wall and have a baby? Don't let it put you off, and let me know how you get on, i would love to do audiology actually but i would have to do another degree i guess, and hubby said no no no no no!

Am I understanding correctly that the reason your science A-levels and Physics degree are considered to have "expired" and not adequate preparation for a new degree is because their technical/scientific content is now obsolete or not up-to-date?

I suppose I can understand that...

Sciences do not expire just because the technology has moved on. If that were the case computing students who graduated 2 or 3 years ago would also have obselete degrees.

The majority of what you do in sciences does not change (my Dad and I did the same engineering degree but 30 years apart - we had the SAME textbook for one lecture - mine was just in metric rather than imperial measurements).

So the issue must be that you haven't done any recent study.
I am now studying at the OU after a 10 year break and had no problem with getting my Australian qualifications recognised. Perhaps a short course with them is an option?

I agree the evidence of recent study is probably the key factor. But do keep the ageism in mind - if you go back to them and say 'do you mean you want evidence of recent study' and they say no, you need up to date A-levels, then that does appear to be age discrimination, which is illegal.

I am a university lecturer who (prior to mat leave) used to deal with admissions on to my course from mature students. We wouldn't be concerned if their A'Levels were 'old' but if there was no evidence of recent study we would have a long discussion with the applicant to be sure that they knew what was involved. You can discuss transferable skills for example if you have done report writing at work or have to work to fixed deadlines. This can convince the admissions tutors.

If you do do an access course you may be able to get credits for some of it. I'd call the university for an indepth discussion with the relevant tutor.

potoroo - it was my understanding, from talking to people who had done computing degrees, that their skills became obsolete very quickly if they were not constantly upgrading.

And, TBH, my Spanish is nothing like as good as it was when I did my degree. My French is much, much better though and I have done lots of further study since then in other areas...

Hmmm...I have just finished a full time degree which i got onto via interview as no A levels at all. Had done a nursing diploma 10 years prior and a couple of courses during those 10 years in nursing...but since I was applying for a history of art degree this wasn't exactly revelant.Got into a good university too -they seeemd to think that mature students were a bonus as worked harder and actually wanted to be there.Can't understand why they would not take you. Hope you can try again with more success -I would be furious.

Anna - speaking as an engineer myself, the technology becomes obselete quickly but the skills don't IYSWIM.

When I came back to my job after 12 months maternity leave, even though the technology had moved on, it only took a few weeks to catch up - because all the fundamentals are still there

And in physics even more so! There's lots more new information but the majority of university course work is based on the fundamentals. E still equals mc squared