Doing a degree late forties

[maturestudent74]

I am enrolled on a teaching degree at a bricks university for September for Primary education. Worked as a Nursery manager for years so know what I am getting into. My kids are all late primary schoolso feels the right time.
However, I need to do something in which I earn an income and English and history are my passion.
It makes sense to do the primary Ed and I know I will enjoy it. However, I love English and history and would love to do this via OU. Fortunately I could do it full time but I will qualify at 50 and then what can I do with it? I need to earn a decent income after studying. Have I missed the boat for a degree in something I am passionate about? I know I could do a PGCE after it but it is an extra year so will be 51 by the time I finish!
I would also enjoy Primary Ed but would enjoy English and history more.

If English and History (both?) are your ‘passion’, are you already actively engaged in writing, researching, collaborating in those areas?

Most people who take degrees in those two subjects use them to gain entry to a wide range of professions / jobs - rather than to forge careers as novelists or historians. (Or whatever.) It really would be up to you to distinguish yourself from all your fellow graduates.

So it’s not really a matter of having missed the boat - it’s more that you’ll be in competition with several thousand others so may struggle if you don’t have a specific goal that you’re working towards.

That's exactly what I thought! I have no experience apart from early years and has always been a hobby.
Thanks for your reply as you clarified what i thought.

So what conclusion have you reached?

I have to say your OP was somewhat lacking in clarity. I read it as

I need to do something in which I earn an income [but] English and history are my passion.

Is that what you meant? Or did I misunderstand you?

Anyway … You use the word ‘hobby’ - what does that refer to? How vigorously do you pursue this activity?

I know nothing about teaching degrees - are you hoping to teach these subjects once qualified or …?

What level of academic / vocational qualification do you already have?

So many questions! (Frankly your OP could do with being re-written …)

I'm 55 and graduated last month with a Masters

Big shortage of secondary English teachers. Not due to shortage of English graduates though.

at 51 you’ll still have 16 years to normal retirement age.

What’s your subject, Nanny67?

Sorry!
I have always worked within early years and been a nursery manager forever.
However, my job is office based which I don't enjoy.
I have the chance to retrain and was being sensible by getting QTS to teach Primary.
However, English and history are my passion and I read widely on both topics.
I could do an English and history degree with OU but will be 50 and no working experience in this field. Or I can do Primary teaching and stick to what I know with a good chance of getting a job!

Im in my first year of a degree at 48. I’ve
gone for a degree that is relevant to my job but certainly not a passion. It fits in with my life (time, place and mode of study) Hoping it will help me advance but more importantly, tick the degree box off my bucket list.

I would advise doing what is your passion and hopefully the rest will follow. Otherwise It’s hard to muster the will sometimes