Mature student and uni

[CrazyCatLady159]

I've had a quick look at old threads and couldn't find anything

I'm 30 and want to go back to uni to study social work - obviously I know I need to apply via UCAS, but when it comes to a reference what do I do?
Can I have a friend? Old place of work?

Has anyone been a mature student with a child and managed to do it? Slightly concerned about home life / finances but I do have a year to sort something out

Any help / advice appreciated

Why social work in particular? Have you been doing some voluntary/community activity related to this recently? If so, someone involved in that should be your referee.

I come from a childcare background / have been through family courts myself .... one of the social workers allocated to us recommended I'd be great as a social worker and I waited until my daughter was slightly older before looking into it; as I had to gain some GCSE's before applying to uni

1. Your age is not an issue! Lots of people are starting degrees at 60.

2. No, you really shouldn’t use a friend as a reference. Unless your primary relationship with them is through work / education. If, say, they’ve taught or tutored you or been senior to you at your workplace. Most mature students probably use a work reference - no one expects you to look up your old school teachers.

3. What qualifications do you currently hold?

4. Have you considered anything other than social work? What might you be thinking of if that one person had not remarked on your perceived suitability? I’m sure you have looked into the career - but have you compared it to anything else? (I ask because it’s not necessarily the most enjoyable of professions - combining overwork and low status.) Do you not feel you deserve a total break and change of environment?

@QuaterMiss thank you!

I wanted to be a social worker when I left school after I had worked as a nursery nurse - but went on to have my daughter so it fell aside so to speak.
I did want to me a midwife but changed my mind.

I've got 11 GCSE's, child development, access to health professions

Can you email the universities' admissions department? Mature students typically do well so they will want to support you and should be prepared to discuss who's the best person for you to get as a referee, and anything else you want to ask.

@SarahAndQuack thank you!
I don't know why I didn't think to call them 🙈 I just looked at their requirements online - going to find a day to call round all the universities I'd like to go to and see what they say :-)

Just don't phone next week - admissions tutors will be bogged down with confirmation and clearing!

Ooh, yes, don't call next week!

I think universities could sometimes do a better job of explaining they do welcome questions. Definitely it's not just you not thinking of calling.

Thank you both!

I'm away next week anyway; I looked and applications have to be submitted by January - so I have some time to be able to wait for clearing and bits to happen; hopefully it'll have calmed down by then.

I wish I'd done this when I left school, at least I would have had help from my tutors - but noooo I decided I wanted to go and earn money ha!

Hi, if you have done your access course in the past 5 years you should be able to apply straight away.

Would one of your old access course tutors be able to provide your reference? I know ours did for previous students.

I am about to start year 2 of a health professions degree, and I'm in my mid 40s. I did an access course, then applied to local unis, which are still a fair distance for me to travel, so it has been a huge change for me and my family. My course is 50% hospital placement too, and that has been the hardest part for me to adjust to.

However.... I love the academic side, and have done way better than I predicted I would, I kept on top of it all well, but had to be super organised with family, home and uni juggling.

Once over the first few weeks of placement I settled in well and have loved my first year.

What age are your DC? I only have one at home and they are about to start high school, I am a planner, and have had a plan B and C for almost everything to cover unexpected situations. Things have been good, but I have a strong support network, and DC understands why I have to do my uni work, and leave at silly hours when on placement, so that helps.

Good luck, and don't be put off age wise, 30 is young!

Hi @coefficientquery

Yes it's well within the 5 years - I think I done it 3 years ago ....
I have to do 170 placement days over 3 years to be able to pass but that's broken down to 70 days one year and 100 days the other year then 1 year of uni

My dd is (7) I have before / after school club booked as well as my mum for childcare - they've said placements will only be between 9-5 so that should be covered with both of them childcare

I think it's just a massive thing to do once you've had children and have settled into working life - but I hate my job ha!
I think I still have my old tutors email so will email them and see if they can provide a reference / I'll ask my gcse tutor from this year also.

I'm so concerned about the financial side as I'm a single parent to dd and although she knows about me leaving early etc to go to work I don't want her to miss out of the financial things I'm providing now - might have to go and look at student loans now too

You are right @CrazyCatLady159 it is a massive thing to do, but lots of people cope with it, and I am sure you will if it is what you really want to do.

I have friends who are single parents, and are managing financially ok, they get more in loans, and I think there is help via bursaries from our uni for lower income families.

I an 36 and starting a Social Work BA degree in September, you are never too old. Ask your old tutors for a reference, I'm sure they will. Good luck!

Don't worry about finances, as a single parent you'll be eligible for grants on top of the maintenance loan. I think you can also claim child tax credits. The university might have bursaries too.