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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say I don't already have a degree to get a student loan?

203 replies

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:36

I did a BA in English Lit 1989, but want to retrain as a counsellor. There's a foundation degree at a college near me which would be great. I'm not eligible for a loan from student finance due to having already done a degree 35 years ago. The college I did it at has changed its name. AIBU to say I don't have a degree? How would they ever know? I'm married now with a different name. I am aware this is very illegal and tbh I know already I won't do it as I'm normally very law abiding! I can't afford to do the degree through self funding.

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:19

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:35

No point in applying if I won't get student finance!

So if you can't actually be bothered to even apply g- is it really that onerous - then maybe counselling isn't for you. You'll need more determination and tenacity than you seem to have 🤷‍♀️

Rude. I'm already doing the intro course and I don't want to apply for the degree if I won't get funding as by then the diploma (non student loan funded) will also be full so I won't get in anywhere for September. The diploma requires a 1500 non refundable deposit which I don't want to pay if I end up doing the degree!

OP posts:
TearsforBeers · 10/05/2023 19:19

No a good Masters should be face to face really.

Not necessarily. I run a masters which is not too dissimilar to counselling and we have an in person and an online version with teaching /practicals taking place via teams.
Both are professionally accredited and the online version is great for students who aren't local.

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:20

The college have no idea if I'd be eligible and nor do Student Finance, they've just told me to wait until June to apply. Google is not clear either.

Someone at the college will know. You just haven't found the right person - it'll be whoever is responsible for sending SFE student records or whoever assesses fee liability.

This link should help (Counselling falls within the Psychology subject area):

https://www.heinfo.slc.co.uk/resources/guidance/courses-management-service-user-guide/eligibility/equivalent-or-lower-qualification-elq-exceptions/english-domiciled-students//*

namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:21

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:20

The college have no idea if I'd be eligible and nor do Student Finance, they've just told me to wait until June to apply. Google is not clear either.

Someone at the college will know. You just haven't found the right person - it'll be whoever is responsible for sending SFE student records or whoever assesses fee liability.

This link should help (Counselling falls within the Psychology subject area):

https://www.heinfo.slc.co.uk/resources/guidance/courses-management-service-user-guide/eligibility/equivalent-or-lower-qualification-elq-exceptions/english-domiciled-students//*

I've already posted this link upthread and OP has totally ignored it - I'm starting to think she doesn't actually want help!

knittingaddict · 10/05/2023 19:21

All the people I know who trained to be counsellors have been spectacularly unsuitable for the role. This thread does nothing to change my opinion about that.

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:24

I've already posted this link upthread and OP has totally ignored it - I'm starting to think she doesn't actually want help!

You're probably right!

Nobbies · 10/05/2023 19:24

knittingaddict · 10/05/2023 19:21

All the people I know who trained to be counsellors have been spectacularly unsuitable for the role. This thread does nothing to change my opinion about that.

I was just thinking the same

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:28

namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:21

I've already posted this link upthread and OP has totally ignored it - I'm starting to think she doesn't actually want help!

Show quote history

I missed it and your name changes confused me, sorry.

OP posts:
Usernamqwerty · 10/05/2023 19:29

Phone Student Finance and ask. You can just make a general enquiry. If you self funded your first degree, you should be eligible for student finance.

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 19:29

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:28

I missed it and your name changes confused me, sorry.

Show quote history

Who posted the link hardly matters, op?! 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:30

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:24

I've already posted this link upthread and OP has totally ignored it - I'm starting to think she doesn't actually want help!

You're probably right!

Thanks - I'm glad you are so sure counselling falls under psychology- technically it does of course.

OP posts:
namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:31

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 19:29

Who posted the link hardly matters, op?! 🤦‍♀️

Show quote history

Also I haven't namechanged at any point during this thread so not sure whether my username has confused OP or she thinks I'm someone else!

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:31

knittingaddict · 10/05/2023 19:21

All the people I know who trained to be counsellors have been spectacularly unsuitable for the role. This thread does nothing to change my opinion about that.

Well I guess I'll find out!

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:32

namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:31

Also I haven't namechanged at any point during this thread so not sure whether my username has confused OP or she thinks I'm someone else!

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Sorry it says @namechange3394 but are you not also @titchy ?

OP posts:
namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:32

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:30

Thanks - I'm glad you are so sure counselling falls under psychology- technically it does of course.

Show quote history

I have also posted a link to where you find out what code a particular subject falls under OP just in case you missed that one as well...

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:33

Sorry it says @namechange3394 but are you not also @titchy ?

No Confused Why would you think that?

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 10/05/2023 19:33

I empathise. I never did a degree, but self funded an MBA. I recently did level 2 and level 3 counselling courses, again self funded. Would love to do the degree but despite never having any courses funded, I don't qualify for student finance. I just don't have the money!

namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 19:34

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:32

Sorry it says @namechange3394 but are you not also @titchy ?

Show quote history

No - I was very clearly replying to @titchy to say that I'd already posted that link and you'd ignored it!

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:35

titchy · 10/05/2023 19:33

Sorry it says @namechange3394 but are you not also @titchy ?

No Confused Why would you think that?

I'm reading this thread with half an eye.

OP posts:
titchy · 10/05/2023 19:35

I suspect we do a similar job though @namechange3394 Grin

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:36

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 10/05/2023 19:33

I empathise. I never did a degree, but self funded an MBA. I recently did level 2 and level 3 counselling courses, again self funded. Would love to do the degree but despite never having any courses funded, I don't qualify for student finance. I just don't have the money!

Thanks. It's a ball ache isn't it.

OP posts:
ItsCalledAConversation · 10/05/2023 19:36

PandaOrLion · 10/05/2023 17:49

As a therapist, I don’t recommend a BA in counselling. It’s common to travel for the MSc - training is SO expensive having the fees mostly covered helps.

@PandaOrLion can I ask what makes you say that? Very interested in why not. What would you recommend instead?

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 19:37

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:35

I'm reading this thread with half an eye.

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Why bother starting a thread for advice and then posting something so ridiculous 😂
I'm not convinced further study is for you.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 19:37

I'm not ignoring anyone, fgs. I'll get round to reading all the posts eventually.

OP posts:
Ilovetea42 · 10/05/2023 19:37

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:43

There's no Masters near me.

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It doesn't need to be masters level to be a post graduate, you just need to already have a degree which you do. So I'd look at student loan companies postgrad sections.

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