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)?

Great you are volunteering with the client group.

I found this - run over weekends/ distance. Thought it looked interesting and your English degree would be useful.

https://www.metanoia.ac.uk/programmes/career-development-pathways/msc-in-creative-writing-for-therapeutic-purposes/entry-requirements/

Psychology with Counselling with the OU is eligible for student loan even if you already have a degree.

I did look at that. Its not accredited with bacp - that's what put me off. But will look again thanks

I don't see how it can be? The loan still comes from student finance England I think?!

It says I may be eligible if I do it part time which will take 6 years. A great option but I'm not sure I want to take 6 years to do it.

I’m a therapist and I would STRONGLY recommend you do an MSc/MA and train as a therapist not a counsellor. You can get student finance from y2 and can work privately from start of y4 usually. Look at Sherwood/Metanoia/Scarborough.

Thank you 🙏

I think I might do the MA at a uni. It's a 1.5 hour drive away but it's supposed to be only 1.5 days a week in person. I was put off because it is full, so I'd have to join in 2024, but its 3 years, not 5. It is counselling and psychotherapy, not just counselling

Why not an MSc Psychology conversion programme, accredited by BPS, then working as an assistant psychologist with clients with addiction issues?

Omg. I didn't even know that was a thing. Thank you 🙏 😊

You can get student finance from year 1.

OP, most Masters programs for Counselling allow you exit after two years with a Post Graduate Diploma, so maybe that's an option for you (does the uni 1.5 miles away allow this?). Much cheaper than doing a Masters.

Stem subjects are eligible for student finance as a second degree. Maybe look into that?

@Welliehead - given the multiple routes into the profession suggested here, would it not be wise to speak to a careers advisor? Presumably there’s a careers department at your college?

It sounds as if you need some time to fully explore the field - a good careers advisor should be able to help you assess the best and most suitable route in line with your own skills and experience.

1.5 hours drive away!

No it doesn't do this.

Yes a pure psychology Bsc might be. But not counselling or psychotherapy sadly.

Metanoia and SPTI def don’t offer student finance from year one as it’s the predatory year. Are you saying Scarborough does? This is for the MSc in psychotherapy not one of the counselling courses.

I don't know about Scarborough but assumed you can get finance from year 1 for all Masters courses if you've not done one before. You can get finance from year 1 at Metanoia: https://www.metanoia.ac.uk/programmes/psychotherapy/msc-in-integrative-psychotherapy/fees/

Also, are you inferring that a Masters in Psychotherapy is better than a Masters in Counselling?

I've discovered there's a whole thing about counsellors v psychotherapy. It just makes it more confusing.