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.

Definitely not too old, I'm a radiographer and there were people in their 50s on my course.

From my experience, it’s so common for people to have babies and then decide they want to persue a different career.

Friend of mine is a speech and language therapist and during her degree so many colleagues were mum’s whose children had SALT and felt inspired from that to go into the field, you certainly won’t be alone and midwifery is such a rewarding job too!

You could start the access course part time in September. Then you'll have it for when you're ready , it will get you back in to studying.

Good luck btw.

What about childcare when you're in placement doing nights? And 12 hour shifts? Travelling to placement which will not always be local? Will you have all that in place?

You seem to have avoided those questions so far, it's definitely a factor you'll need to consider.

Definitely not too old. I was 30 when I started my midwifery training and one of the absolute best midwives I know started her training when she was 36.

If you have a local Maternity Unit I would start looking for work as a Maternity Care Assistant - it will give you a taste for the reality of midwifery, and lots of places now offer opportunities for MSWs to develop their careers.

My partner is a plumber, he leaves at 7 is home by 5 everyday, and like I said earlier, I'm 30 now. Even if I started when my youngest goes to school I wouldn't qualify untill I'm 38 but if I need to wait till my family are in a position to be without me for exstended periods of time I will, now I know people retrain in their 40's and 50's I'm more chill about it, I felt like my time was running out. And when I'm 38 my children will be 17, 14, and 12. If I need to wait a few more years beyond that so be it

Sorry 17, 12 and 10

Another mature student here. Finished my degree when I was 45.

Also to add, nearer the time you'll need to get some experience either from volunteering or working in maternity or similar. Midwifery is very oversubscribed thanks to programmes like One born Every Minute, and Call the Midwife, and you'll need it to support your application.

Good luck 🤞🏼

You're not too old by any stretch. You have decades left to work. However you are looking at some careers with rather unfriendly working hours. I'm missing why you can't do your GCSE through distance learning now although it will cost versus doing it free. You don't have far to go go as you only need to improve your result a little. You could also start the access course part time as others have mentioned. Good luck! Career wise social work can be long hours in an emergency or when you have a bunch of paperwork to do at once but it's aimed at being a 9-5 career and this can work if you carefully chose the type of work you do like working with disabled adults. That might be more realistic than midwifery. Also maybe working in a disabled childrens team. You have lots of transferable skills. During the access course you will get the chance to explore different careers more

HCP in NHS hospital, started uni at 43 with 3 kids, youngest was 9. I wasn't even the oldest on the course. You have plenty of time, don't worry,💐

But one other thing, @Gemmahearts94 - might you ask MNHQ to move your thread to the:

Mature Study and Retraining board

where it will provide support and encouragement to other people in the same boat? It’s exactly the sort of question the board was set up to consider.

You’ll also find threads from others who’ve done exactly what you’re thinking of doing or who are facing the same issues.

Your local uni might have a dedicated returning to education department that can talk you through the logistics and finances of going to uni. Mine does, I went on an open day for that department not the uni. I already have my degree but I was supporting some friends who were on a course with me at a local college (GCSE equivalent qualification level) it was a great day. And no, you are not too old.

Not too old, my DB is currently at uni and he turns 50 next year. My Dad graduated the same year as me. Midwifery/Nursing is obviously a bit harder as you have to do placements so you’ll need some support from your partner.

I’m in my 40s and currently studying for a degree with people my age and some in their 50s and late 60s. It’s normal.

Of course you're not too old. A mum on my course 20 plus years ago was in her 30s. She had 2 children of primary age and her husband was mega supportive.

If memory serves she got a first.

Given the hard work you will be putting in you will want a financially rewarding job at the end. For this reason I would knock nursery practitioner off the list. That profession is at the whims of current government policy (funding) which has a direct effect on salaries.

Definitely not too old! I started nurse training when I was 37. Still working and enjoying it some 35 years later.

@Gemmahearts94 it is also worth exploring the apprenticeship route to becoming a maternity support worker or midwife. See here: https://rcm.org.uk/apprenticeships/

In general, the numbers of apprenticeships are increasing year on year, midwives are in short supply, and the new government plans to fund the NHS better, so the odds may be in your favour.

A friend of mine who qualified as a midwife before having children now works for an agency that provides shift cover to the NHS, so is able to pick and choose her hours to fit around childcare responsibilities.