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Original poster

I would really like to do a history degree, but am i too old?

53 replies

Totallyfloaty35 · 26/07/2010 16:34

Im 40 now and have not been in education for a while so im a bit scared of applying .
I also am very slow at typing due to RSI from my previous job(i was a Holistic Therapist) where i spent hours doing sports/pregnancy massage.I also have 3 children and a DH that works away.
Somebody talk me out of it (or in to it)

OP posts:
RedArsedBaboon · 26/07/2010 16:36

You are never to old. You go for it.

llareggub · 26/07/2010 16:38

I met a woman on holidays who qualified as a barrister at 50. It is never too late. Ho for it.

mrspear · 26/07/2010 16:40

Too old at 40?! Madness

Why do you not try ou

I got my degree here and would recommend them to anyone who would listen.

Also you can do a cheaper small course such Y160 which is £120 and see if you are really up for it - you can also arrange to pay instalments for undergratuate courses.

I worked an average of 50 hours a week while i studied part time.

Good luck

ps baby not sleeping much so excuse spelling and grammer

TheFirstLady · 26/07/2010 16:42

I am 46 and have just finished a history and literature degree with the OU. Best thing I ever did. My final set of results are due out in a couple of weeks and I have my sights set on a 2.1. (Nervous emoticon.) I loved every minute of it. I have three children too, and was working full time for the last few months of it, but still managed to complete it in four years. Go for it. I highly recommend the OU if you weren't thinking of a brick university, it is very flexible and the tutors are (mostly) fantastic. Now I want to do a secondary PGCE in either English or History and I'm hoping my age won't be a barrier for that either. Go for it!

DinahRod · 26/07/2010 16:43

God, no, never too old. In my dept our outstanding colleague did teacher training in her 40s through the OU.

Do you have any plans to do anything once you have the degree or is this just for pleasure?

mrz · 26/07/2010 17:17

I know a very lovely man who did his first degree after he retired and is currently doing a PhD

Habbibu · 26/07/2010 17:22

Go for it. DH is a historian, and taught at Birkbeck for a while, which is all mature students (and good hist dept, if you're in London, and can ignore all the Orlando Figes nonsense). Loads of 40+ students there, and DH loved teaching them as they really were independent thinkers and prepared to work hard.

deaddei · 26/07/2010 19:15

Definitely do it.
I have a 2.1 in American history and literature- loved every minute of it.
I admire any one who does it at a (ahem) more mature age- go for it and good luck.

fsmail · 26/07/2010 19:24

You are never too old, my friend's Dad started his law degree at 60! Good luck. You may appreciate doing the degree better than you would have done at 18. I am over 40 and looking at doing a law conversion course.

secunda · 26/07/2010 19:25

Surely being old is an advantage when studying history?

but seriously, not you're not too old

Original poster
Totallyfloaty35 · 26/07/2010 19:38

What a lovely supportive lot you are!
I suppose i need to get some more info really as even the p-time forms require academic refs and i have not been near a tutor for nearly ten years. Still feel slightly lost as to where to begin,but much more 'up' now, so thanks all.
All DD1 said was " thats fab mum,but please dont pick any unis i might want to go to "

OP posts:
Marjoriew · 26/07/2010 19:50

When all my 7 kids left home, I did an Access course which got me onto a university place to study Criminology and Social policy
degree.
I left school at 15 in 1963. I am now 62, home ed my grandson and I'm back on the OU to finish my degree.
Never too old;. Go to it!

Prolesworth · 26/07/2010 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Habbibu · 26/07/2010 21:04

OU is fab, but also consider Access courses as Marjorie says - this may help solve the refs problem. DH's uni has a dedicated admissions officer for mature students - might be worth checking this with the places you're considering.

Meglet · 26/07/2010 21:06

Please do it. It will inspire me too .

I'm 36, never went to Uni and am obsessing over doing Economics, Politics and Philosophy with the OU.

Might have to wait a year or so until the dc's are a bit older though.

TheFallenMadonna · 26/07/2010 21:10

I started an OU degree when my second child was a baby - did it part time over 4 years. It is really one of the best things I have done.

Haliborange · 26/07/2010 21:11

I have a history degree and a couple of people on my course were in their 40s, had had previous careers and are now both teching at universities. They were much more passionate about the whole thing than us 19 year olds who just took it for granted.

onepieceoflollipop · 26/07/2010 21:18

OP just want to add my encouragement to you.

I am just 39 and youngest dc goes to school in 2011. I am really and seriously toying with the idea of a degree.

I have years of nursing experience (psychiatric) but "only" to diploma level. In my wildest dreams I would study medicine training (i.e. to become a psychiatrist)

However I am not sure if I am bright enough or up to it really. Every time I attend a patient's appointment with a Psychiatrist or have a discussion with a medic I find it so fascinating and I have to put it out of my head that I could do that. For me I think it is unrealistic though?

create · 26/07/2010 21:27

I started my degree in my mid-30s when DS1 was 10 months. I did it part-time over 3.5 years, had another baby, moved house and was job-sharing a "proper" job (ie one that would have been 60 hours per week if I'd had it to myself)

It is my proudest moment - having my graduation pictures taken with 2 lovely DSs, under 5 (and a very supportive DH).

onepiece - you really should give it a go. With all your practical experience, it probably won't be as hard as you think. My degree is in the field I had 15 years experience in, which is probably the reason I was able to do at the same time as all the other stuff. Either that or degrees are really not that hard after-all and completely overrated

niminypiminy · 26/07/2010 21:27

I'd second the idea of an access course to get you back into studying, lots of FE colleges run them and sometimes they have guaranteed entry to the local university.

But definitely, definitely go for it. One of the best moments in my teaching career was when a (40+) student said to me, 'you know, before I came here, I was just so grateful that someone wanted to marry me that was all I was, a wife. Now I've been through the course and I've got a degree, and I don't have say yes to anyone and I know I can do something with my life.'

It was a while ago but it still brings tears to my eyes to think of it. Education really does change lives, and it's never too late.

onepieceoflollipop · 26/07/2010 21:30

create dd2 (my youngest) starts her preschool sessions in 5 weeks time...perhaps I will tentatively make enquiries.

I am passionate about my current job. I am "only" part time but as that includes unpredictable shifts and on-calls etc sometimes it is more like full time.

I am nervous of ringing a real life academic person to make enquiries and have them laugh at me.

I have "only" got A levels (not good ones) and a diploma.

Habbibu · 26/07/2010 21:33

They will not laugh - they absolutely will not. Unis love mature students - they're keen, reliable and committed.

create · 26/07/2010 21:35

What other qualifications than A levels do you need to start a degree? Mine were very poor and not at all related to my degree. I think with your practical experience you'd probably find you don't need them anyway, so what you do have will be a bonus.

onepieceoflollipop · 26/07/2010 21:39

Sorry TotallyFloaty I think I kind of took over your thread a tiny bit.

Anyway, the advice that others are giving is so encouraging and positive for you (and indirectly for me too) It is a very motivating and encouraging thread.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Please come back and update if you make any decisions.

paddypoopants · 26/07/2010 21:53

I did a history degree and then a pHD but to be honest I would've enjoyed it more if I'd done it now rather than when I was younger (I'm 41).
I have started a science degree with the OU and think its fab. It's really flexible and if you find the work is taking up too much time you can do fewer courses and you meet people at the tutorials and residential courses. I did a third level history course just for kicks and really enjoyed it.
You're never too old.