Too old to go to uni?

[Gemmahearts94]

Hi all, I'm currently 30 and I have always wanted to be a midwife. When I was 18 I wrongly thought that your parents had to have money to be able to go to uni. I didn't know you could get funding and whatever so because my parents were poor I didn't go.

The last 12 years since I left sixth form I've spent working and having my babies (3) In the back of my mind I've always known that at some point I'd love to pursue midwifery but by the time I'm able I'm gonna be pushing 40 is that too old??

my oldest is 9 my middle child is 4 and has pretty severe autism and my youngest is 18 months. Because of childcare I won't be able to do anything untill my youngest goes to school in September 2027

My plan is too get a job in caring or a nursery or something when my youngest goes to school (I currently work in retail because it works around a young family) at which point I'll be 33 then redo my science GCSE I got a D in school, and then do a years access course, then 3 years at uni. By that time I'll be 38.

I just feel like it's too old to be a newbie, but life just won't allow for me to do it now and you only live once. I feel sad having to give up on something I've always wanted to do.

You're not too old at all!
I would have a long think about midwifery though unless you have flexible, 24 hour childcare.
Maybe talk to people who've done it while having young children. Placements can be tricky.

You’ll turn 38 no matter what. It can be with a degree or without it.

I’m not going to lie and tell you it’ll be amazing and easy. Honestly maybe there are reasons you shouldn’t do it (finances, childcare…) but your age is not one of them.

Definitely not too old! I’m a nurse. Someone on my course was 44 when we qualified! But your key issue will be childcare. You will need to be able to work any shifts, including early starts, weekends and nights. Once you’re qualified you get more say over what you work but as a student you’re usually expected to work whatever you’re told..do you have support to be able to do that?

No you are not too old, I did a social work degree when I was 43. Most of the people on my course were mature students, but its the type of job where life experience is a positive advantage. It was difficult, but manageable. I had done OU courses previously so was able to construct an essay. Would you consider an access course first?

I'd say so, if I qualify at 38 by youngest will be 10 then 12 and 17 if I need to push it back a few more years I can do, I will wait till my families ready but my main concern was my age

I'd have to do an access course anyway I think, I can't remember all my results from school but I doubt it's enough

I went to uni at 47, you’re definitely not too old!
I did a degree in District Nursing.

Thankyou, I've always wanted to do it but family life has gotten in the way, and right now I want to focus and put my all into where I am now, with the hope that I can pursue my dreams later

I never did A levels, but I used my OU courses instead and had to do a maths GCSE equivalent test at the Uni. But I do think a proper access course would prepare you better.

Given you don't already have a degree, definitely not too old. You've got another 30+ years of working life.

I went to uni at 30 after doing an access course with two young kids and I was a single parent.
There are grants and bursaries available, some of these are linked to the course and others linked to household income. I had full loans, grants and bursaries at the time and 85% of my childcare for the two kids was paid for.
Depending on what you’re eligible for you may find it more financially savvy to do it while they kids are young and have your childcare paid.
As a pp mentioned though you may struggle with the shifts and having a young family, I originally looking into midwifery, however went on to be a different health care professional and I work 9-5 Monday to Friday.

I considered retraining as a clinical psychologist at a similar age to you. I didn’t but I discussed it with several universities and their advice was that it wasn’t an issue. One of them said that they had had students in their fifties who had retrained for HCP careers successfully. Their recommendation was that up to age 55 at time of qualification (ie when you finish your degree) is fine for NHS careers. You are a long way off 55!

I don’t think that you’re too old to go to uni but are with the father of the children? I would assume that midwives work all kinds of hours and you’d need overnight/late childcare sometimes because conventional childcare shuts by 6/6:30.

Never too old! Despite have 2 degrees my dh took a third at 60! He felt text books/virtual articles were a much better way to spend the evening than tv or news.

When I did my nursing course I was one of the younger people on my course at 26. There were loads of women who had waited until their children finished primary or secondary school before doing the course. Loads of people in their 30s and 40s just starting uni so don't worry about your age and go for it!!

I'm about to start nursing. I'll be 43 when I qualify.

other careers I've thought about are nursery practitioner, social work, working with children with disabilities, or paramedic

Never too old! I went back at 52 and did 4 years. Plan to do a masters this coming year

You are not to old at all and if it’s something you’ve always wanted to do I’d say go for it so you don’t regret not doing it in years to come when you probably are to old to do it. Are you a single parent or with a partner? I only ask because with midwifery it may include unsociable hours but that would be something to think about once your qualified, circumstances may change etc so I wouldn’t use that as a reason not to go for it, I’m sure other midwife’s have children lol

I'm with my partner engaged and planning our wedding currently

I have a 55 year old friend currently finishing an Access course ready to start her degree in October - you are never too old!

Some of my favourite undergrad & postgrads I've taught over the years have been 'mature age' students. They have been fab! so go for it.

Really, your tutors will love you, you'll really enjoy the challenge, and you'll find out just what you're capable of. Do it!!

And you will find a community of like-minded students - the bonds between women who study at a slightly older age ie not straight out of school, can be very strong & nurturing & supportive.

I'm in my graduate year and I'm 61. So no, you're not too old.

Definitely not too old! I started Nurse training at 37 years old. My aim at that time was to complete General nurse training and then midwifery. In the event I decided to stay in General nursing as I found that midwifery just wasn’t for me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of my career and I’m still working (at a nursing home) as I love it so much. Go with your plan. I’m sure you’ll regret it if you don’t.

I think if you’re engaged and planning to share your life with a partner you should also be planning not to be taking on so much of the childcare that you cannot pursue a career for years to come.