To think about uni? Especially during covid times?

[Frazzledmum55]

I’m not particularly happy in my job but the hours work for me so I’m stuck.
I’m not 100% sure what I’d like to do but always go to social work when looking at unis online.
I only have a level 3 childcare qualification currently and I have 2 children. Youngest is 8 but has sen so any kind of full time work is hard because he would struggle with holiday club and they would probably send him home occasionally, they don’t have the same obligation as schools.

So would I be mad to quit work and study for a degree?? How hard is a social work degree? I don’t know if I could actually do it.
Does anybody know how universal credit works with studying?
I’m 33 so not very young but young enough to make a change. The thought of being stuck with no prospects in a job I don’t enjoy forever scares me and I’ll struggle to ever move into a different role or field with no qualifications.
If not a degree then what else can I do?

Anyone...?

Hi, in doing my social work masters with 2 young kids, Ks1 age and I'm mid-late 30s. It is doable, there are bursaries available so essentially I don't earn but my bursary covers my fees. I used to be a teacher so I'm doing tutoring etc alongside to earn a bit extra. I was really nervous to begin withbut am so glad I stated it. Mine is a post grad so I'm not sure about undergraduate but absolutely worth looking in to.

Do it. I’m was a similar age to you when I did my degree and it was brilliant for me. It’s a great experience and realistically you have a lot more working years ahead of you. Universities tend to be flexible for parents and there were many times I’d have to work around my children.
I’m married so had my husbands income but lived off a student loan which most people are entitled to. Find out about universal credit but the loan is pretty generous in my opinion. You’ll always wonder what if so do it while you can. Also, universities are offering a lot of online learning so not massively Covid effected.

How much will it cost you to complete a degree ? How much will you earn when you qualify? How long will it take you to pay back your student loans ? How will you pay your bills while you study ?

You need the answers to these questions before you do anything.

My friend did a social work degree around your age. It was hard but she didn’t regret it. She didn’t work while doing it though.

The thing I’m most worried about, other than my ability do actually do it, is money.
I have looked into it before and I think it’s be really difficult.
I’d have to claim universal credit, but they count any student loans as income. It’s really hard to get exact figures but obviously I’d need to know that I could pay the rent and cover the bills. 3 years is a long time.

I would not advocate quitting your job. Look at part-time options or the Open University.

Can you not study part time and and work part time? Yes, it might take you longer to graduate but I'd be really reluctant to quit a job in this environment.

I don’t think that would work. I work 4 days a week now and still claim universal credit. I wouldn’t be able to drop any days at work.
I’d struggle to find a job that’s allow me the flexibility to study and I’d probably end up worse off if part time work, plus uni loans stopped my UC completely.

You may also get a bursary. Just under 5k a year in years 2 and 3. Year 2 and 3 you also do placement which is 70 days in year 2 and 100 days in year 3. There may be some flexibility but the same really as full time work. Pretty sure you can also claim your childcare costs in year 2 and 3 from the bursary people. Hard work but so worth it. I finished last year and am now doing a masters because of covid

I just feel like it’s one of those things that if I really want to do it I just have to do it. Because there’ll always be a reason not to.
It’ll be a case of just throwing myself in at the deep end and making it work. I’m just concerned about bills. I have a lot 😩
I know there’s lots of help available just don’t know if it’ll be enough.
Deep down I know I can do it. I’m capable, just out of practice and struggle with motivation more than anything. But I’m sure motivation would return.
I want to feel valued.

Do you have any support?

@Lookslikerainted practically, yes. But can’t bank on it regularly for 3 years as it’s a lot to expect. Financially, none whatsoever.

You could do an undergraduate degree part time with Open University. If you do well then you could look at an accelerated masters option which is fully funded. This would be a long route though - 4-6 years.

If you really want to study and will be paying back the loans then do it via the OU and keep your job. If you can only work part time now and set hours you may find you can’t find a post at the end of it anyway.

The time for not working and being a student is pre children, you have two children who need financial support from their parent/s.

There are plenty of jobs that can make you feel valued you could switch to.

@Frazzledmum55

Although all signs point to not doing it, I’d do it. It will forge a better life for you and your children. Try and get as much work done when they are asleep/at school and work part time. That’s what I’d do. Sorry op. It’s going to be really really hard, but worth it!

Honestly, with Covid, what's the point of trying to get to classes at a standard uni? They are all teaching online anyway. Do the Open University course part-time and keep your job and current UC if you can. Or swap UC for bursary if available. Even if it takes 4 years before you can work in social care, it sounds as if your youngest could be more independent by then and cope with wraparound clubs.

@Frazzledmum55

I don’t think that would work. I work 4 days a week now and still claim universal credit. I wouldn’t be able to drop any days at work. I’d struggle to find a job that’s allow me the flexibility to study and I’d probably end up worse off if part time work, plus uni loans stopped my UC completely.

If you're already working part-time, so is part-time study around your current hours not an option?

I'm really sorry, but I wouldn't be quitting work to study in this environment, especially not with DC to support.

I looked at OU, it’s be 6 years but looks like I can’t apply. “Entry to the degree must be through your employing agency; you cannot apply direct to the OU.”

There’s no way I could study around my current job and kids. I’d have to give up work. It’s be the only option. I could potentially lose my job anyway this year.

What I need to work out is how much worse off I would be not working, and living off UC and bursaries and loans. Currently, my UC payment is higher than what I earn from work. By quite a lot.

A family member wanted to be a teacher. She was a single mum with 2 children under 8 and worked full time. It took her 6 years (starting with the Open University, followed by a PGCE ). She got there in the end in her 40's. It can be done, but you need to be very motivated and organised.

I am doing an MA retraining in a different field of work and have 2 children and am in my 40's. It will take 3-4 years. The only way I can afford to do it, is by continuing to work part time. It can be quite stressful when assignments are looming and you need to keep up with reading etc and be organised. At the moment, all lectures are on zoom (which is actually easier for me- no travel expenses and more time gained!).

Is there a foundation course you can do at the Open University? This would help you decide if studying is possible and maybe open some doors? Personally, I wouldn't give up your job right now, but try and study alongside it.

If you juggle part time work and studying then how will you juggle a full on career such as social work?

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss There are not enough hours the week for me to work and study. That equates to more than a full time job.
I’m contracted to 4 days a week but quite often do the 5th day. Also my youngest would be going into (or already in depending on ft or pt) secondary by the time id qualified so would make things easier.

I can’t apply to OU as it’s through employer only. But even a part time ou course requires 18hours a week study and that’s probably minimum. I can’t fit that around what is pretty much a full time job and a primary aged child.
If I’m going to do it I’d rather just throw myself into full time.

Will you need a holiday club while you’re at uni? I don’t know how it works for social work degrees, but my uni had holidays that coincided with the school.

I think it’d be a tough one, because the student loan and UC systems are kind of a mess. But I think you should definitely try to make it work. If it can get you into a fulfilling career and make you more secure in the long term, then it’ll be worth it.