Foundation year or start as a mature student?

[whattodoforthebest2]

I'm hoping someone with a better understanding of the process can advise me.

My DD 20 has an unconditional place at Oxford Brookes to study Anthropology, but with a foundation year as she didn't get the grades they require. She's taken 2 years out to travel and work full-time while she decides what she wants to do and can now start in Sept 2019.

It appears that she could apply for 2020 entry as a mature student without the necessary grades, so why would she do an extra year with all the costs that that entails, when she could save the money and start a year later with the same qualifications?

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but does 2 years' of working and travelling count for nothing as far as unis are concerned?

Because if she applies next year she won't have studied for three years, which might be too big a gap. They may well not make her an offer and tell her to go and do an Access course first.

I understand your worry about additional cost however I think at her age she will probably be better off starting in sept 2019 simply because when she comes out the other end she is going to be 24 and it looks better from a cv point of view. What would she be doing with the next year otherwise? If it’s a decent job then fine but if it’s bar work/shop work etc then I would discourage it.

Out of interest what job is she looking to get when she leaves uni?

Are you absolutely sure of this?
Some unis are marginally more flexible with " mature" students ( those over 21) , but that seems a bit much.

Students are in really strong bargaining positions now. I would get her to call admissions and see1) if that info is right 2) if she can negotiate first year entry in 2019.

May be they have Foundation degree places they need filling? If she had a place to start elsewhere next year they might be more amenable? Can she get the name of the tutor for the course and ask?