Tell me about gaining a second degree when you already have one

[getlostgetloose]

Gained my BA and PGCE 15 years ago and worked as a teacher for 10. Have happily been out of the classroom since Covid.

Tell me about your experiences of gaining a second degree as a mature student when you gained your first degree as a teen/ early 20s. The course I'm looking at permits additional student finance.

I did a 1 year masters degree in my 30s and found it so much easier to get the work done than when I was an undergraduate. Looked on it like a job, putting in 9-5ish Mon-Fri hours. Went to all my lectures and tutorials. Found it much easier to speak in tutorials, do presentations etc.

I did a one year MSc conversion to computer science and I found it way, way harder than my BA in history, just the number of hours. I had to submit hours for the funding i was getting, and 70 hour weeks weren't uncommon. So I think it will massively depend on the subject

I didn’t do a BSc until I was 29 (distance learning as was living overseas). I had professional qualifications and employed but no degree at the time and concerned I’d be left behind in return to U.K. Had zero commitments so despite working full time and fitting it around my job it wasn’t difficult. I then did a PGDip in a related field, which was sponsored by my U.K. employer so was on a day release type basis and again no commitments and not difficult. Followed by a PGDipEd also sponsored by my employer and on day release basis and again not difficult. I then moved into HE and began a PhD but only got as far as masters as had 2yr old & 6 month baby and a husband working crazy hours & often not around. Plus I was working full time. It was absolutely hideous but I was so entrenched I didn’t realise how ridiculous it was until circumstances changed and I had to stop. I’d be up til 3am doing research and my baby & toddler would be in nursery 8am-6pm so I could do my day job. I was living on 4hrs sleep. It was exhausting.
So, if you’ve no other major commitments and are able to invest the time and energy then go for it.

I did a 2nd degree then masters a few years ago. I loved the bourse. I was much more focussed than at 18.

Luckily my course was 2 years and aimed at second degrees anyway so students were a bit older (21-25 mostly) so we got in well even with 20 year difference.

I worked 1 day a week at existing employer and moved day around depending on timetable every term.

I miss studying now! Bit without exams I can't be bothered to just read a text book.