Are you ever to old to go to uni?

[MissMudskipper]

I'm considering going to uni but as a mature student - think closer to 40 than I like to be - are you ever too old to go?

Bit of background - married with 2 kids both primary school age. I currently work part time in a job that has nothing to do with what I'd like to do degree wise - social work. However, I have a wealth of voluntary experience working with young children which I'd hope would go in my favour. A local uni does offer alternative routes if you dont have the standard entry requirements.

I'm in a lucky position that I dont necessary need to work as my husband earns a good wage (that's not a stealth boast!! Just how it is!)

AIBU in wanting to go to uni or should I just accept I'm too old now to start thinking of a major career change? My husband is supportive however some of my friends think I'm crazy!!

Catherine I wonder if you are local to me with the velindre reference in your name ?
Anyway, I am late 40's the oldest on my course but only by 2 years. We range from 19 upwards in my cohort. I'm doing it to go back to work. So, no. I don't think you are ever too old.

Course not. I work in a uni and we have loads of students your age.

Loved reading through this thread and all your experiences! MN can be a great motivator at times. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.

When I went as a youngster one of my mum and dads friends had come to study at the same uni - I was finally mature enough to handle it and found it nice to see him around!

There's a woman on my course who is in her 80s. Lots of us in 30s, 40s, 50s. Go for it!

Not too old, but be sure the course is going to deliver what you want. All the people referred to going in their 60s, 70s are doing it purely for self fulfilment. Usually a person in their 30s, 40s is doing it for career reasons, so be sure you get a return on your investment of time and money, as you won't find it as easy to recover from a false start as an 18 yr old. You don't want to waste time on something if it won't give you the career return, or if the career isn't suited to you once you've tried it, so do a lot of research. Many universities are more interested in getting bums on seats than checking if their students are likely to do well in their chosen career.

So be as early as if you were spending thousands on any other purchase.

*Wary not early! 😂

Never too old although you might be too poor or too busy (not you you just people generally)

You're definitely not too old. I went back to university at 49 to study the subject I wish I had done the first time round. I'm by no means the oldest, there are people in their 60s and 70s.

If anything, I think I'm getting more out of the course than I would have done even if I'd taken it at the 'traditional' age.

Many universities are more interested in getting bums on seats than checking if their students are likely to do well in their chosen career.

Not really. Universities are very invested in the long term outcomes for their students, and use this information as part of their recruiting strategy. They really don't want to set people up to fail because it reflects very badly on them.

I think that it depends on your temperament. British universities have a really horrid culture, mostly coming down to underpaid staff. It’s easy to get over immature, unprofessional and, somewhat thick staff when you are young but as you get older patience wears thin.

@SaskiaRembrandt I think it depends on the course and how in demand it is. Certainly I have witnessed some dubious practices around teaching courses, where candidate suitability seems to be of very low interest to the university.

PMd you OP.

We'll have to agree with differ. Having worked in admissions and outreach for two very different universities, I have seen how much emphasis was placed on aptitude and suitability.

"why on earth am I letting friends make me concerned?"

• if they are pointing out valid reasons to you as to why this is not viable eg you need to earn X to keep your house and you'd drop to Y fair enough. If they're just being snide and unsupportive because of your age or the fact it's a bit unusual they're not actual friends - friends support you and don't make you feel shit about perfectly reasonable decisions.

No!

Never to old to do a degree i did mine part time at 40 and the oldest sdudent in our group was 80

I went to uni' with a woman doing her 'retirement degree'. She was 83. . .

I’m nearly 40 and have recently gone back to university. I vote go for it!

No, there were lots of over 40s at my uni. Plus, it's not only worthwhile for career prospects

Do it! I'm 33 and I'm in my first year of a children's nursing degree and I love it.

I did a masters in Social Work in my twenties and we a few mature students on the course up to early forties. Social Work as a career though is really stressful and underfunded.

Nah never too old. I’m at Uni and I’m 47. Nobody bats an eyelid. Plenty of people around my age too.