Any student finance experts- Self funding a part time degree (mature student)- have I got this right?

[Welliehead]

So I'd like to retrain as a counsellor. As I already have a degree I am not eligible for student finance for the BA that I'd like to do.

Just spoke to the university and the cost is 2300 per 30 credits. The course is a two year course part time (college one day a week) and 240 credits in total. So that's 18k plus for two years (it's a foundation degree). There's obviously no way I can afford that but I am just checking I've got that right as that cost makes it the same as a full time course!

Does that sound right to you (I mean obviously it must be but it seems expensive for a part time one day a week course - obviously you are expected to do work outside the day of the course)?

240 credits is two years full-time study (even if not physical attendance).

OK thanks. Wonder why it's called a part time course then?

Have you paid any previous finance off out of interest? I’m considering retraining and paid all my loans off years ago but would need funding.

I didn't get a loan! I did ny degree over 35 years ago.

As you already have a degree, have you explored whether you can qualify via a Masters? As then you'd be eligible for postgrad funding.

I'm going to try and do a masters next year instead. 18k is too steep for me!

Yes I can do this, sadly the one near me is full for September but I'll apply for next year.

There are a list of eligible degrees that they will fund you for second time around, mainly health care type degrees.

Good luck!

Apologies if I’ve brought this up on any other thread - but is there no possibility of your studying at masters level? It seems to make little sense academically / intellectually for someone already in possession of a first degree to be taking a foundation degree. And financially it would be ruinous.

I’m one of probably thousands of people who took a postgraduate degree in a completely new subject, decades after their first degree. And I was able to use a Government Postgraduate Loan to cover my fees. The loan system really isn’t set up for people taking a second first degree - conversely, academic institutions make it easy for mature graduates to enter Masters level courses, and anyone can apply for the loan.

Wfat about going through the BACP accredited courses instead. These are 100s £ instead of thousands. And you can get an advanced learning loan for the level 3.

The loan is similar to the HE one and covers tuition fee and don’t pay back till start earning over the threshold.

Sorry - missed your subsequent post. I would concentrate on applying for next year!

Yes thats my other option to stay at the college I'm at (doing a level 3) and do the level 4. My college is really good but ££££!

Apparently it isn't eligible for the advanced learner loan 😐

I’ve seen CBT assistant roles within the nhs where they put you through the postgrad whilst your working. Think it takes two years.

£18k does sound steep!

There will be accredited private providers that may not be £££

Level 4 isn’t advanced learner loan eligible but level 3 is.

They are so, so competitive and the only ones I've seen you need to already be working

Lol
Typical I've self funded that.

Ah ok.
One of my colleagues got a role. She has a psychology degree and had a client facing advice role but not in mental health.

Can you still apply now for the level 3 loan as you are still within the academic year. Might be worth a conversation with them. then the college would refund your money.

I will definitely look into this thank you

I have a useless English degree

What kind of counselling role do you want? Or are you looking at being self employed?

I want to work with people with addiction preferably (already volunteer in that area)

It doesn't make any difference. If you have a degree you can't get funding for another. I funded my degree privately (or my company did) but I still can't get any help to do another