Is Uni family friendly?

[pencilpotmonitor]

I know I'm asking a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question, and the answer largely depends on what you're studying, but I'll ask anyway

I'm considering applying to study Educatuion Studies with Sociology at my local uni. At the moment I work part time, term time only. It would be the perfect job except that I'm paid minumum wage and would like to increase my earning potential. But I don't want to miss out on my children's school activities...assemblies, sports days etc.

So how friendly would uni be? Would I be around to pick up most days? Can you miss the odd lecture for child illness/assemblies/sports days etc?

Thank you Mumsnetters

Some courses are, some are not. Avoid any NHS courses like the plague. You are only allowed a very small amount of time off sick, it's alot harder is you have children because children do get ill.
Speak to the Uni and see what the hours for the course are. We have some evening lectures here.

I was horrified to discover that 'core' hours here run up to 6pm. I had two lectures a week that ended at 6pm. It was only for one term, but it did make things difficult. One set of the lectures was filmed, which was fabulous, but the other set I absolutely had to get to. There was very little understanding for parents.

The latest ones I've ever had ended at 7pm. They were a nightmare and I missed half of them (very boring aswell). I have dropped out of my course, partly because I am unwell, partly because the course leader is a reincartation of the devil and partly because it's just not family friendly at all.

Thanks belledechocolatefluffybunny and twocathedrals.

Hmm...so not as straight forward as I was hoping then

What were you studying belledechocolatefluffybunny? Sorry you had to leave your course. Is it something you could go back to?

I was doing radiography. I wouldn't go back, the course leader is an absolute nightmare. I've learned my lesson now.
I also have a degree in Law which was far more family friendly (extensions when I needed to look after a sick child, didn't moan if I missed lectures, latest lacture ended at 5pm etc)

It really does depend on the course, some are more family friendly then others so it's worthwhile having a chat to one of the course leaders.

Thanks, I'll do that

There is an open day soon so I'll go along and have a chat. I was worried that asking about family friendly hours might make me look like I'm not committed but I guess there's no point ending up on a course I'll struggle with.

Alot of uni's have nurseries/after school care. I have known a fair few people on the law degree bring their children in with them on inset days, I think it's not a good idea insurance wise though. I have taken ds in a couple of times because I've had no childcare and it's been fine. I wouldn't dream of doing this on the NHS course though because I'd have been strung up alive. Some courses are alot easier then others. Ds has always been my first priority, I've made myself incredibly unpopular on the NHS course by taking time off for him when he's been unwell. Alot of courses have school terms aswell with half terms so you don't really need holiday childcare. The 'normal' degree courses (not the NHS ones) break up earlier then the schools aswell so you will probably find that you can still go to the carol concerts/sports days without having to take time off.

I'm about to start a part time degree which seems a lot more family friendly. Much less time actually on campus and you can choose daytime or evening slots for various modules (not all of them). The only issue is that the subject options are a lot more limited.

I'll definitely be steering clear of the NHS courses then BelleDCFB Do you think you might go back when your DS is older?

BertieBotts - Thanks for replying. I have thought about going part time but I was worried about funding. Do you have to pay each year of your degree (I think it was about £900 per annum last time I looked) or is there a way to delay payment until you're earning like you do with a full time degree?

Not a chance in hell pencil I've just stared writing childrens books, it's far more relaxing (and fun). I'm moving onto bigger and better things. My mother was seriously ill in hospital a few months ago and I had to have a couple of days off to go and see her, I was told off for that aswell It was like being at school.

Funding, it's now 3.5k a year or you can pay per module. There's help if you have a low income though. You have to pay upfront at the start of the academic year. You get a bit of funding and student loan, as well as the child tax credit/child benefit.

Sorry to hear about your Mum. But the book writing sounds amazing. I wish I had a talent I could use at home

Thanks for the funding info. I'll look into it

Are you on your own OP or with a partner?

I'm in my final year on my own with DD (4) and I have been able to pick up etc. It wouldn't be possible with an NHS or PGCE or similar or certainly nowhere near as easy.
The money you get depends on your earnings, if it's just you on MW you should get the maximum. If your partner earns a lot then you will not get so much.

The £3.5k is paid for by a loan 9 times out of 10 anyway.

I'm married Tippychoocks. DH earns about 35k pa

Is the loan only available if you're full time?

Forgot to say....congratulations on getting to your final year

I'm very happy now. I just need a publisher (and a few more opinions about the books maybe).

Student finance direct is what you need to look at. There's a huge difference in the funding of a full time course and a part time course so you need to have a think about what's best for you and your family. If you are a single parent then you can claim housing benefit for a full time course, not a part time course though. As a full time student you don't pay council tax and get NHS prescriptions free. As Tippy says, it depends on what you have coming into your home.

Thanks I'm feeling a bit panicky already though!

I know the people who attended PT on my course didn't get the loan but our fees were paid (government funded) for years 1 and 2 so I can't say for sure.

I would really go along to the uni ASAP - they can calculate funding and advise on the course. You might think that FT is a better option if you're really motivated, it can be tough towards hand-in time but my FT attendance was 1 1/2 days a week and PT was 12-7 on one day. So in terms of actually being on site, not so different, and I know lots of people wished they had pushed for the FT option and so tapped into funding and help with childcare etc.

I think you'll find that Education and Sociology will attract a lot of mature students and that they will be sympathetic to you family's needs. Don't forget - you can miss te odd lecture if you need to and the wordl won't end, plenty of the young 'uns do!

Yes, you can only get a student loan if you are full time. There would be nothing to stop you getting a normal loan though or paying it on a credit card, and just paying the minimum repayments until you are in a better financial position. With your DH's salary I doubt you would be able to access any help with it through Student Finance England or through the university itself. I think that part time it works out cheaper by the module than full time.

Definitely go to the open day and ask though - they won't think it's odd that you are asking about family friendly hours, other students must have children as well.

Just seen my post and apologies for typing. Cold house= cold hands= typos !

I've just gone into my second year at uni, studying criminology (started off doing sociology and criminology) and I have 3 dc of varying ages - 2yo, 8yo and 12 yo so three pick ups and three drop off's, using a combination of a breakfast club, after school club, a nursery and trusting the 12yo with his own key if needed.

Last year worked out really well, I haven't felt like I've particularly struggled with anything logistically, which was the thing I was most worried about - not the actual work

My FT timetable last year was Monday off, Tuesday 11.15-1.15 Wednesday 9.15-11.15 12.15-1.15 Thursday Off Friday 1.15-4.15pm

This year, my timetable has Mon and Wed completely off but am in 9/10.15-3.15 on other days. I live about 15-20 mins drive away from uni.

HTH!

BelleDCFB - good luck finding a publisher Have you approached any yet?

Tippychoocks - those hours don't sound too bad. I'm slightly scared of the hours I'd have to put in at home though

BertieBots - I hadn't thought of funding part time with a personal loan. I've found the cost per module on the uni website, but it doesn't say how many modules you need to complete for your degree and I haven't a clue Do you know by any chance?

ABitBatty - Criminology is a degree I'd be interested in. I bet it's fascinating! Your hours sound workable, and you've managed it with a pre-schooler too. Well done, I'm sure it will be worth the effort when you have your degree

I emailed a couple to Eaglemoss a couple of weeks ago but they've not even opened the email I'll look for another one.

I've just sent one of my books to a literary agent (quivers).

You should go for it. Very best of luck.

I found the first year manageable, DD1 was 2 when I started. By the end of the second year, I had DS. I then went to to do the third year (was pregnant all the way through with DD2) and it was such as struggle as DD1 is now at school and DS has health issues and is a typical 2 year old boy! I didn't finish the 3rd year so went back this year. DD2 is 4 months old now, DS is still 2, it's very hard work, often made harder by DH who hates the amount of time I spend glued to the pc or books but it is worth doing.

Yay! Good for you BelleDCFB
Let us know when you hear something. I'll keep everything crossed for you.

SecretSlattern - well done for keeping at it. It'll be so worth the struggle in the end. I'm impressed you kept going with pregnancies and babies in the mix.

She emailed back saying she wasn't taking on any new clients as she barely has the time for the ones she already has I'll have to look for another, she seemed perfect.