My Dream: To do a degree. How?

[Positivelysober]

I'm 41. I'm a sled employed cleaner wich I love, work by myself and the hours I want.

I've always wanted to do a degree, but wasn't clever enough or the circumstances haven't been right. I always come back to thinking about doing it but don't know how I could logistically manage it with my job and four children. Also financially.

I'd love to be able to actually attend a uni but with work commitments I wouldn't manage it unless I gave it up but I've worked hard to build it up and have lovely customers.

Have been looking at the open university -could anyone share their experiences with them please.

The other issue is I can't decide what it is I want to do as a few things interest me.
Speech and Language Therapy. ( I don't know if that's possible with OU) Pyschology. And Dietics ( I don't think this one is possible at all as the uni that's closest to me doesn't run this) - These are the main ones.

Or shall I just scrap the idea and do some of the free courses on future learn?

I wouldn’t scrap the idea but some great future learn courses would be a great start. Check out some topics and get into the routine.

The good news is it’s easier to study online than ever. Psychology probably the easiest to get mostly online but would I believe have placements.

What qualifications do you have just now? Would an access type course be the first step?

And yes you can do this. Definitely. It’s just finding the right way.

I just have GCSE's then a btec I did at college straight from school. About ten years ago I did a access to health and social care course, but wasn't able to follow up after wards because of my circumstances at the time. I have enquired about the original degree I'd applied for since then and even though the English maths and science GCSE was covered in the course, it now isn't and would have to do them again for that subject wich - I spoke to admissions who told me this - so I'd have to take them all again - I got a D at GcSe for all three wich is why I was pleased at the time that the access course included it.

Psychology at the OU would absolutely be possible for you because you’d study flexibly and they are flexible with entry requirements.
Dietics and SALT would be trickier, as you’d likely need to study them on a face to face course and undertake placements.

I studied with OU. Loved it. Though not your typical uni experience there is still a huge community feel due to social media etc. There are face to face tutorials usually. But not I believe at the moment. Maths and English GCSEs are available for free at local fe colleges for those who don’t have a 4/c. There are some available distance learning too. Be quick if you wish to do this year - there’s still time to enrol. Science GCSEs also offered to adult learners but not always free but could be depending on your financial circs. What I would do is do the GCSES this year to get you into studying if you can fit around your clients - often offered evenings. Then maybe look at ou for next year. I loved it and would recommend to anyone. Many students start off with OU then use this study and experience to transfer to brick Unis but many stay with OU. I love OU and would recommend to anyone. Go for it!! Learning is addictive 🤗

I started OU 10 years ago at 41. Came out with a first (completely unexpected when I started!!) and have just started teacher training in the FE sector with my placement in the same college I did my access course (I did at 39/40)

Also - look at what degree courses are offered at local colleges - more and more colleges offer this level - maybe you could start there then shift to uni later to specialise…

I did my degree in the evenings when I was working full time. My local uni suggested I did one module to see how I got on and if I passed they would accept me. Took me six years but it was totally worth it. Good luck!

Where do you live, is there a nearby University, then you could try to arrange your cleaning appointments around lectures. Otherwise, although these are good clients, cleaning should be a profession you can travel with to a university town, everyone needs cleaners.

Unis have been basically online remote learning for 2 years now, and may retain quite a lot of the online teaching anyway. So research how much in person time vs online time there is with any particular course/ uni.

I think you need to think carefully about what you want to do after the degree before you decide to pursue this.

I can't really understand why you have psychology (an academic discipline) listed with dietetics and SaLT, which are courses structured to qualify you for registration for a specific professional role on graduation.

If you want to take on a psychology-related role in healthcare you'll need to find out what additional qualifications are required beyond a bachelor's degree. See www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles and click on "Psychological professions" and then on the specific roles: they show what the roles involve and what qualifications are required.

In theory, you could take your English language & maths GCSEs this autumn, although obviously you'd have to find a college that would take you on as a private candidate. This web site will help if you can't get positive responses from contacting colleges directly: www.jcq.org.uk/private-candidates/.

Have universities you've spoken to said they would accept the Access to HE diploma from several years ago? If so, it might only be the maths & English GCSEs that need to be sorted. Combining studying with keeping your business going is another matter. I know some people do this but it must require an awful lot of energy & determination.

My degree has been worthless to me, honestly.
Only do it if you're sure you will be able to pursue and handle a good career in that chosen industry (get a basic job in the industry first to make sure it is what you think it is) Or because it would genuinely bring you joy to study.

I did mine because I thought it was something I should do / have. I didn't want to feel 'less' than my friends, who were doing degrees. Wish I had focused on setting up a business instead.

I got my degree from the OU and absolutely loved it. I went to every Saturday school on offer as I really wanted to get the most from each module. This also meant I had contact with a peer group. It always amazed me that out of say 20 students in my module group, only 7-8 went to the monthly face-to-face learning sessions. A couple of my modules had more than one Saturday school within a 20 mile radius (you can attend as many as you want) and when I did Children's Literature - a fab module - I went to a group in my home town and one that met around 15 miles away. The focus was always on the next assessment and it was great to get a different perspective from each tutor.

I work in a university and am now doing a Masters there and would say absolutely truthfully that my OU experience was far better. Their organisation is superb and assessment criteria really clear, which is not always the case in a brick uni. Also, a lot of brick universities are using blended learning because of COVID, ie. lots of stuff online, and it just hasn't been designed well. The OU, on the other hand, was specifically designed for distance learning and has much better delivery with lots more interactive stuff.

Thanks for all the responses. There are two colleges about 40 mins from me that both have degree courses. Yes the two university I spoke to few years ago said the access course was still valid.
So Dietics is something I've always been interested in but know that wouldn't be possible as am nowhere near somewhere that runs it. SALT interests me because my 6 year old was seriously ill four years and we were involved with them for a long time as a result. And Pyschology, when I did the access course was my favourite subject, and scored the highest marks in on my work and know that it could lead to other things afterwards, including a play therapist wich we were also involved with when my son was ill. ( And I could do it via the OU at home wich is the most practical option for me at the moment.)

@BaileysforBreakfast great to hear such a positive review . Thank you.

@BrilliantBetty interesting to hear another view point of it, I want to do it because I was told I was never clever enough to do one when I was a teenager and that I'd never amount to anything. But I am trying to keep a level head and think about it carefully before committing to anything.

How old are your children? There will come a time when they're more independent and you'll have more time for study.

It would be worthwhile to try to do as much reading as you can around the subjects you're interested in. Most universities put their reading lists online these days. If you Google subject + reading list, you should find a few examples, and find out what the basic or essential texts are, then see if you can get them secondhand.

I did a degree at 45, my previous job .... a self employed cleaner. If you do decide to do a degree try and do something which will improve your earning potential. Speech and Language sounds ideal. I did a foundation year to get me up to speed.

@DameAlyson 15, 13, 10 and 6 so they're nicely spaced out and eldest two are quite independent now, 10 year old is too really🤣 thanks I will look that up @Northernsoullover excellent! How did you juggle work with it?

Yes I did. My clients were great. Timetables tend to be fixed for the term so I just gave plenty of warning. I had around 12 hours of lecture time.
I thoroughly enjoyed cleaning but no way could I carry on into my 50s at the same pace and I knew I needed to think about a pension (at least try and get as much as I can) There was always going to be a cap on my earnings too. Cleaning gave me flexibility around childcare and I will always be grateful to the profession.
I was never very academic and bombed my GCSEs, the foundation (or an Access) really helps you get back into it. I graduated with a 2.1

Oh I see you did an Access! I know you say OU might be better for you but look into a bricks and mortar university. You get grants as a lone parent. My friend on the course had children the same age as yours when she started and yes it was a juggle but she managed and also graduated with a 2.1.
The student finance for the year was around 14600 so with some cleaning clients you'd probably be ok.

I'm in my 2nd year of a social work degree at a brick university. I did the access type course through open uni and I much prefer the brick uni. I like the sense of community and being able to get advice from the other students. We've not actually physically attended uni yet and I doubt we will until next year. My 1st year we only had around 7 hours of teaching per week and 2nd year will be around 9 per week so you could easily fit your cleaning job around the teaching hours. Also, I'm a single parent to 4 young kids and I've had a lot of financial help and there can be allowances made for your circumstances too.

My local Russel Group university does an outreach for mature and part time learners. I did some college courses as I volunteer in a primary school but wanted qualifications too, I did an SEND course which was fascinating and I undertook some SaLT responsibilities for a couple of children.

As part of the college courses they tour the local university (I already have a degree) to promote the next step on the learning journey and they arranged meetings for discussing finances for those who would have to stop work or do part time to enable working still. Worth discussing it with your local uni just so you have options.

OP there’s now a brand new ‘Mature Study and Retraining’ board in the Education topic. You might find it helpful (or entertaining!) to ask MNHQ to move your thread there.