Is it too late to apply for a degree in September?

[KatyMac]

I just suddenly thought I might as well do something constructive as I can't open a nursery

So if I can/do apply what shall I do?

That's interesting 10

Not sure what I want/need

I have had this discussion about 50 million times on MN

Sorry to be so indecisive

Why do a foundation degree?
Why not a degree?

Foundation Degrees are more vocational and less academic, with more emphasis put on things like work experience and preparing you to enter the job market

they also give the option to spread your costs as they are two years rather than three,
But can usually be 'topped-up' to a full BA by doing an extra year

I went for the FD route because I couldn't get on to a proper degree course, I didn't have the right qualifications such as A levels etc.

I did have (just) NVQ3 Early Years Care and Education and Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Practice which was the equivalent of 3 A levels (I think)so I was able to get onto the vocational degree. FDs are vocational so you are already working in the area you are choosing to study in.

Now I have completed it, I have gained 240 higher education credits which now enables me to apply to do the third year which will turn my FdA into a BA (hons). So at the end of it, I will have a full degree, but because of my lack of exam type qualifications, I had to go about it the long way round.

I like the more vcational
{hmm] maybe I should re-look at it then

I already have 120 points from when I dropped out in the 2nd year whan I was 19 (over 20 yrs ago)

OU said they would use it

But you don't have to be already working in the area you want to study in to apply.

You could probably get onto the second year then rather than doing the whole thing. With that and the possibility of TF I would definately consider it if I were starting out again.

Iam

Business & childcare (a childcare busienss)

Oh see that was one of the criteria (criterion?) for doing the course I did. We had to be working in the area of study.

I was pretty lucky to get on the course if I'm honest. I had worked in early years for about 6/7 years so had practical experience, but had only just qualified so didn't have any post qualification experience to speak of. I think it was my GCSE grades that swung it tbh, I scored quite highly in everything except maths, hence my return to college for that in September

The only thing with skipping a year or individual units is that you have to consider what is more important to you,
learning or gaining a qualification

because most first year units on any course deliver key knowledge/skills which are then required in the second year

TBH in Business it's learning - I just did a level 3 cert in line management & loved it
In childcare it's the qualification - I did my NVQ3 & hated every bit of it

That's a good point ten10. Would the skills/knowledge from KatyMac's previous study be much different now? This has been my first experience of HE so not sure how it works/has worked in the past.

I don't teach a childcare course so would be unable to comment on any individual course, however my course changes regularly so it is likely that other courses also change, particularly as you are speaking about a long time (20 yrs)

Especially as over this time many of the governmental policies etc have changed significantly in childcare and for every change the curriculum would have to be adapted.

Oh right, thanks

have enjoyed chatting,
but it is late and I am off to bed now,
but I will check this thread again to see how it develops.

night night ladies

Same to you ten10. Night!

Thanks guys appreciate your help

I've made decisions here

So I know what I'm doing

Decided here