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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I can do a degree?

99 replies

Canidouni · 09/07/2021 19:48

I have GCSEs and a level 3 qualification. Level 3 qualification is 10 years out of date now though, GCSEs obviously older. I dropped out of A levels cause I was always partying. Stupid looking back.
Now I'm in my 30s and wishing I could do something. Needs to be distance learning due to caring responsibilities.
Open university says no entry requirements, so I was thinking I could get my teeth into a degree? Is it doable without A levels? I feel insane just thinking about it.
Am I being unreasonable thinking I'll be able to do it?

OP posts:

alloutofcareunits · 10/07/2021 08:49

I've just seen a comment regarding OU degrees not being valued as highly as others, I disagree! It shows dedication and commitment to study for years (6 in my case) while working time. I also worked for the NHS in a role requiring a degree and it was no issue, I also did a PGCE no problem as well

BreadmanAndCake · 10/07/2021 09:37

I've enrolled on an open uni health sciences degree beginning this October having left school 10 years ago after GCSEs to join the Army. I deliberated for a while as I have two young children but just thought I'd go for it. Nothing ventured etc. I'm really looking forward to it! Go for it!

Original poster

Canidouni · 10/07/2021 10:16

Thankyou everyone for all your advice 😊

OP posts:

Lovethewater · 10/07/2021 18:32

The open University offers number of free modules under Open Learn. Might be worth a look to see if there is anything related to the subject you are interested in. Gives an opportunity to find out more, practice your study skills and to see if remote learning suits you. Good advice earlier to have an end goal in mind and then plan your study in relation to this

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 10/07/2021 18:40

@ScaredNotAnxious how is an OU degree not favourable with the NHS? I’m currently doing my nursing through the OU sponsored by my employers, the NHS! So hoping they will give me a job when I qualify

SchrodingersImmigrant · 10/07/2021 18:43

@Canidouni

I looked in to the access course but it said I can't use a student loan to pay for it, and I can't afford to pay for it. If I go straight to degree I get the loan.... I think I might give it a go. Nothing to lose really.

There is a loan. I used it, but it may not be for an online one so you might look if your local college does it. It's good way to get into it

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 10/07/2021 18:47

@lastqueenofscotland not true, see my previous post. Why would the nhs fund my nursing degree if they were then going to turn their nose up at it?

TheGumption · 10/07/2021 18:54

@ScaredNotAnxious stop talking out of your arse.

Go for it OP. You may find you're a bit rusty on essay writing but level one will be about easing into it. I've just finished my final level 3 module and I'm so glad I did it. Good luck!

mrsp2009 · 10/07/2021 18:55

I left school with GCSEs but went straight into work and didn’t take any A-Levels. In my mid twenties I decided to study and I completed a law degree through the Open University part time via distance learning whilst I continued working and raising my family. I then did the Legal Practice Course also via distance learning but through the University of Law. I qualified as a solicitor in April this year. It’s never too late to study, all I would say is find a topic you are really interested in as motivation can be difficult when you’re on your own and doing it from home. I think the Open University offer some free ‘taster’ courses online - it may be worth having a look at those so you can see the format etc before you commit? Good luck!

AlternativePerspective · 10/07/2021 19:03

It is absolutely possible, but some things to consider:

What do you want to do with a degree? Studying remotely is hard, hard work and involves a lot of self discipline. If you’re a carer do you have the time to dedicate to studying plus working plus your caring responsibilities? You will need several hours a week for studying/submitting assignments etc. So while it’s doable, I would only do it if you have an actual career in mind. Psychology degree in and of itself won’t be enough, if you want to go further into a career in psychology it will take probably about 10 years of study etc to get there.

Secondly there is the cost. A lot of posters here did degrees several years ago before tuition fees came into existence. And while they will have got student loans these will have been much, much less than you would need to now. The OU fees are in line with other universities, there was much criticism of the fact at the time. Also, if you’re earning you will immediately be liable to repay your loans. Again, I would only do it if this is an ambition for a career you want to follow, rather than because you just want to broaden your horizons.

You will leave this degree with around £30000 worth of debt by the time you’re done. It’s only worth it if the pay you are going to get from it is significantly more than it is now, and if that career is something which is a passion for you. “I’m interested in psychology” simply isn’t enough. You need to absolutely want to do psychology, otherwise you run the risk of dropping out with thousands in debts, and nothing to show for them.

SicParvisMagna · 10/07/2021 19:12

In fairness, the OU is a lot cheaper than a bricks and mortar uni. Still the degree I will start next year will still set me back about £18k or just over. However I completely disagree that you HAVE to do something with it after or it's a waste of time. I spent SO many years talking myself out of further education with that mindset. In the end, I personally decided I was going to do my degree for me, to say to myself I COULD AND I DID. No one else. No career goals so to speak of. Just something for me to be proud of. And I am proud of myself for doing it and signing up to it after beating myself up for years and years, telling myself I couldn't. And if the OP or myself never get a job where they earn over £27k (in honesty, a lot of jobs are paid well under that these days anyway depending on your area) it's written off when you turn a certain age anyway so who cares?
You shouldn't be dictated to by student debt, its not the same as normal debt and shouldn't be treated as such. It's nothing to fear.

Rosesareyellow · 10/07/2021 19:17

I dropped out of A levels cause I was always partying. Stupid looking back.

I’ve always thought it a bit ironic and unfair that we do some of the most significant work and decisions towards our future at a time in our lives when we are technically hard wired to be the least responsible we will ever be
YANBU, go for it!

marblegarble1 · 10/07/2021 19:20

I am doing my second degree (not open uni) and yes I do think its a bit ambitious to do a degree without A Levels. Impossible? No. Depends what you want to do really.

To do my second degree I had to do an Access Course via distance learning because my degree was older than five years. So glad I did because it was amazing how quickly I forgot what was expected.

Unless you've got money to burn, i wouldn't jump into one without a plan for your career at any rate. Though statistically I think people with any degree tend to earn higher than those who don't.

Christmasfairy2020 · 10/07/2021 19:39

Look at social work or nursing

Pipitypop · 10/07/2021 19:56

Also if you do an NHS one you get a nice training grant now on top of your student loan and its disregarded by universal credit. I get around £7k per academic year.

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 10/07/2021 21:22

Usually to do your nursing through the OU you already need to be employed as a care assistant for example. I only started in October and the criteria was working as a healthcare assistant, contracted 26 hours per week and you must have worked for your board for 2 years so just something worth baring in mind.

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 10/07/2021 21:23

You also need scqf or equivalent level 5 in maths and English for nursing

hulahops · 10/07/2021 21:28

yes absolutely. The OU courses are designed for people with no qualifications. They ease you in and then ramp up. Starting with OU was the best thing I ever did

Original poster

Canidouni · 10/07/2021 21:39

I did start a psychology and sociology A Level. Just spent too much time drunk/stoned/high to remember if I even sat any exams.

OP posts:

Sixsillysausagessizzlinginapan · 10/07/2021 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TigersandTeddybears · 10/07/2021 22:09

The OU have some introductory/access modules you can do before committing to a full degree. So might be a good start.

KimMarie34 · 11/07/2021 02:52

I did a degree in my 30's without A levels.
I found that age brings wisdom in the sense that you're far more focused and determined of some people that are 18 and going through higher education because it's a given.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do :)

sashh · 11/07/2021 05:53

Go for it.

But be warned, I went to uni at 32, and I got the 'bug', I now have a degree and a couple of post grad qualifications and I'm currently studying with the OU for another 'first' degree

Most people do 2 OU units at a time but I'm just doing one at a time.

There are some free resources if you want to try out study with them.

The OU do an 'Open degree' which allows you to study a lot of different things depending on your interest.

junebirthdaygirl · 11/07/2021 06:23

Don't just decide on what degree to do decide what you want to do with it at the end. Some degrees lead straight to a job others only begin to put you on a road that takes years to get anywhere. Psychology is one of those. If l were you l would opt for something more definite so all your hard work pays off in terms of a job. Go for it!!

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