change of career & back into education

[CheekySwan]

I am 46, I currently work as an ops manager but have had a lot of different jobs from recruitment to health.
I am toying with the idea now the children are older to go back into education but I don't know where to start. I have been thinking about this for about 5 years and its's now or never.
I am looking at Social work or criminology or law. What worries me the most is how am I supposed to afford to live if I go back to education. I know there are student loans - but what other help would you get? Are courses full time everyday or just a few hours a day/few classes a week so I could get a part time job also? I really don't know where to start. Also, I was thinking Open university? I don't think you can do apprenticeships or anything in these subjects or related subjects. The more I google the more I become confused.

I did a social work masters and it was great, but it's very much full time and you couldn't work alongside it. I was on placement for a lot of it and the days were long. I got a bursary from the uni but I know these are rare now. I did get a small amount of universal credit to help with my rent but I was a single parent so not sure how it would work for families.

Good luck with your next chapter.