Funding for a second degree?

[mrsfindlay]

I'm feeling a bit stuck at the moment. I work full time for the local authority in children's social services (low paid) I have a degree in Early Childhood studies (wrong choice of degree, regret this a lot) there's not really any possibility of promotion / progression in my role, unless I want to do a masters conversion course in social work or do the step-up to social work programme ( I don't think social work is for me) I just feel that it's going to be impossible to re-train or ever get a job that pays a decent salary. Has anyone ever gone back to university and done a second degree? If so, have you managed to get another loan for this? I'm 35, and a single parent to DD 14 so im only going to be able to study part time anyway. Feeling like it's too late and like it's going to be impossible. Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

I'm in a similar position. There are options, mostly for jobs that are similar to my previous career (health). I don't want to do those, so am stuck at the moment..

Hopefully someone will come along with some useful advice!

It's tough isn't it? I just hate feeling so stuck

Do you have any particular field or profession in mind?

What's your ultimate goal here after retraining in whatever? To earn more? Have more flexibility? More challenges? More status?

You can get a postgraduate loan that may cover fees

The goal is just to earn more - every month I just about get by. I am able to put a very small amount into DDs savings, can pay all my bills and afford the occasionally treat for DD but there is never anything left to put into savings. Owning a house will never be possible. My job at the moment is quite flexible, and it's mostly wfh so works well will DD. It's also a good pension scheme and there is quite a generous AL entitlement, so I guess it's not all bad. It's just very low paid. I honestly don't know what I'd even want to re-train in, I've always had an interest in nutrition, so have thought about dietetics. I do like most aspects of my current role (child safeguarding) I just think i'd struggle doing direct work with families as I've always had quite low confidence. No other skills or interests really. Thank you for taking the time to reply

Why not a dietetics degree then? You'd be eligible for funding as it's will lead to HCPC registration. Maybe try and get some shadowing experience with your local hospital dietetics team.

There are a certain few degrees that you can get funding for - but generally the answer is no. You would get funding for a postgraduate course though.

I have looked at undergraduate degrees in dietetics but the nearest university that offers the course is 2 hours away (the two local universities don't offer it) also there is issue of it only being offered full time. Good idea about emailing the local hospital for shadowing experience in that department, I have just drafted an email now! Thats the first step I guess. Does anyone know if funding for a second undergraduate degree is available for part time study?

Could I do postgraduate study in a subject I didn't study a degree in? I have only really seen psychology and social work masters conversion courses that would accept the degree I have

Funding is available for a part time second degree only for STEM subjects. I would caution against doing a second degree without a clear career plan in mind though. You'll find yourself in the same position you are now, but with a loan you'll start paying back at a much lower salary threshold than now.

Thats useful to know. You're right, I do need a bit of direction. Maybe trying to get some volunteer experience in a couple of different fields might help

You can get student finance for a second degree if it is in an allied health profession- what about looking into something like speech and language therapy? You would be able to use knowledge from your previous degree for the paediatric elements of the course, but you could go into adult work if you wanted to at the end of it as well.

I made the move from teaching into SALT and really enjoy my job now.

In four years your dd will be an adult. You could start your degree before you are 40, you could still have 20 years in the NHS, which is probably long enough for most people anyway. Look now at anything that you need to work on in advance. It is also worth talking to the university because there may be placements near you.

My county council offer apprenticeships in certain things, SW and OT being two.

My husband was working in adult social care and had his OT degree funded by work (through a charity). He worked during holidays but was paid his full salary. Of course he had to stay employed for a certain number of years once qualified. I think this may have been replaced by the apprenticeships but it might be worth checking, especially as you are already working in the council.

I've een people in other threads on here talk about re-training in SALT. It was also recommended a lot by lecturers in my degree. Did you do a full degree in it after making the move from teaching? Or were you able to go straight in to the masters?

I know someone who works for a LA who is getting a masters funded by them , including guaranteed study time as it is somehow classed as an apprenticeship so the work hours study time has to be logged and monitored or they lose the funding.

Good advice. It's probably worth me attending an open evening at a couple of the uni's (I know a lot are online these days) and discussing options

Why not think out the box. I wonder if your current job is administrative? If so, you might to consider career advancement in project management. With experience can pay silly money.

Another good idea. Definitely worth seeing what options are available through the council. Did your husband continue working full time whilst studying his degree part time? How did he get the funding, was it something he sourced himself, or was it arranged by his employer? Lots of helpful advice on here. Its just so easy to just get stuck in a rut and feel like there's loads of barriers

It's not administrative as such, more of a social work assistant role, although there are some admin based tasks. Could use some of the experience though

The degree was advertised through his work and you had to apply for it and it went to panel. The funding was all done through work. A local charity funded the cost of the degree ( it was his second, not sure if that matters) and work paid his salary, in return he worked during the holidays. He didn’t work during term time. He still works for the LA now, 4 years on. He did have to meet the universities requirements to actually be accepted on the course, but it doesn’t sound like that would be an issue for you.

Are they still paid their full salary? Do you mind me asking what their job role is / what masters are they studying?

Yes, full salary. MBA.

I did the full degree - nearest masters would have been a killer commute for me and I’m glad I did it over 3 years because the pandemic hit and I had to juggle the kids and course

What about data science? Plenty of part time or online only masters for people with no experience available