Is there a specific Mature Study & Retraining board?

[Edmontine]

I know there have been mature student threads. But I feel I’ve read countless, tentative Am I too old to - threads, with each OP believing they’re the first person ever to consider a degree or postgrad at 30 / 40 / 50 onwards - and almost talking themselves out of the idea before they’ve even posted.

It would be helpful to have a dedicated space - with a note at the top assuring people that they’re not freaks and would be welcomed by places of learning.

(If such a board already exists and I’ve failed to find it, consider me suitably embarrassed.)

Sorry cornwall newbie is me. Reverted to another name when i posted

got to love the parental support

Yup.

I guess one of the peculiarities of mature study is that those closest to you already have a long-held, fixed idea of who you are. People accept that an 18 year old is an unpredictable creature - no one expects their 45 year old daughter / mother / sibling / spouse to suddenly reveal a new face - effectively declaring the status quo to be unsatisfactory. It can prompt resistance ...

I would love a board like this!

I had a really difficult time at school and ended up with a handful of GCSE's, dropped out of college due to family pressure to get a job and support financially. Fast forward a few decades including being a SAHM and now in my late 30's I desperately want to do something career-wise.

I've researched it a lot but those first few weeks I felt very lost and feeling like an idiot for thinking of going back to education, that I wasn't smart enough (still feel like this) and way too old to be starting down a path I should have taken at 16. I've applied for a Maths GCSE course starting next month (as that was one I failed) but having no idea where my certificates are I realise I may have to re-take English as well.

I have my next plans in place, access course next September and then September 2023 a degree, not completely settled on what area. I am so unsure of whether to do a degree in something that truly interests me or something that I will actually have a chance of getting a job in.

something that truly interests you, must surely interest a few other people as well? So there would be some way to monetise / capitalise on the subject?

And how many jobs will actually exist in their traditional form in even five years time? I wonder if the concept of ‘getting a job’ is becoming a dangerously unstable aim?

But I’m hugely impressed by your clear sighted planning!

Btw - would your former school not have a record of your exam results?

If you haven’t studied for 30 years and want to do a masters in a different subject (History) to your original degree (Economics) how bad an idea is it? Would they even let me on the course?

@BestIsWest

If you haven’t studied for 30 years and want to do a masters in a different subject (History) to your original degree (Economics) how bad an idea is it? Would they even let me on the course?

I would have thought so. Having any kind of degree proves you have the brain power. I'm starting from scratch doing an access course, and I'm hopeful I'll be accepted somewhere, but I'll do OU if necessary.

Well done @Edmontine, I relate to everything that you have said.
Mostly my family glaze over and say ‘but why’?🤷‍♀️

Though I’ll eat my own head if I get a distinction - I was hoping for a merit but I’m not sure that’s possible now.
I’m feeling extremely overwhelmed and just want to get it done now.

@AzPie

I don’t have any GCSEs - I was homeless as a teenager and wasn’t schooled past 14.
I got a first in my degree at 44 and am about to complete an MA.
If I can do it anybody can 💪

[quote IheartJKR]@AzPie

I don’t have any GCSEs - I was homeless as a teenager and wasn’t schooled past 14.
I got a first in my degree at 44 and am about to complete an MA.
If I can do it anybody can 💪[/quote]
I'm very impressed!

@BestIsWest

If you haven’t studied for 30 years and want to do a masters in a different subject (History) to your original degree (Economics) how bad an idea is it? Would they even let me on the course?

They normally show what you needed to have studied in the course details and usually you need a degree in the subject or relevant work experience.

Also, you usually need to show evidence of recent (formal) study, most Universities want that in the small print (so access couse, or a GCSE, or maybe an Open Unoversity module).

but the course requirements are generlaly easily set out

www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/coursefinder/courses/history-ma/
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in History or a relevant Humanities related subject.

One thing i have enjoyed as a student is following all the student instagrams out there - both younger ones and mature students for my subject.

Would they even let me on the course?

How qualified are you for the course? In the last five years, say, have you worked or volunteered in the proposed subject? Maybe your work in Economics has veered into a corner that is just as much about History?

Or perhaps you’ve developed your interest as an extra-curricular thing - writing a blog or contributing to a journal? Maybe you’ve spent weekends and holidays attending courses on History? Your interest might have evolved from tracing your family tree or a local ancient artefact. Etc. In my experience these are the sort of things tutors look for as evidence of your commitment to, and capability for a subject. The more competitive the course, the better the quality of your ‘evidence’ needs to be.

It’s more intriguing if you’re an Economist who want to apply to study sculpture at Art School - but the same questions would be asked.

If you have nothing at all to indicate fitness for the course, it’s really up to you to do something about that. Like, perhaps, taking a lower level course in preparation for applying.

@BestIsWest

If you haven’t studied for 30 years and want to do a masters in a different subject (History) to your original degree (Economics) how bad an idea is it? Would they even let me on the course?

My MSc is Archaeology after a 30 year gap from a social science degree and PG professional qualification. I did some volunteering before I applied and an evening course at uni. I definitely didn’t have the qualifications for the course but I to one of the lecturers before I applied and got them onside and they accepted me. Worth a shot.

*spoke to

Absolutely. Universities don’t look for exactly the same formal qualifications for postgrad study from mature students as they do from younger candidates.

So, yes, if you feel you can make a strong case it is always sensible to approach the relevant tutors to see if they’d be willing to have you.

I’ve spent my entire career in IT so not exactly related to either Economics or History but there are parallels - lots of research and reading, IT is not all coding. I will ask a few questions of the local Unis.

@Edmontine

something that truly interests you, must surely interest a few other people as well? So there would be some way to monetise / capitalise on the subject?

And how many jobs will actually exist in their traditional form in even five years time? I wonder if the concept of ‘getting a job’ is becoming a dangerously unstable aim?

But I’m hugely impressed by your clear sighted planning!

Btw - would your former school not have a record of your exam results?

It's not that there is a lack of jobs, far from it, that's one of the many reasons I'm interested in going into it. Basically, I have always found psychology/criminology/sociology fascinating, I've done lots of free courses via the open uni, coursersa and local colleges. Knowing how large the waiting lists are for mental health around here and this inbuilt desire I have to help people I thought it would be ideal to pursue a career in that field. However I have ASD and my people skills (face to face) are not good, online/over the phone I'm okay but put me in front of someone physically and 9 times out of 10 I can't even speak (selective mutism).

So although I would absolutely LOVE studying psychology/criminology/sociology I don't know how feasible it is for me to get an actual job related to one of those areas.

My old school closed down a few years after I left, I contacted the local council to ask about the exam boards but have yet to hear from them, it does state on their website they only keep records for 8 years so not holding out much hope.

[quote IheartJKR]@AzPie

I don’t have any GCSEs - I was homeless as a teenager and wasn’t schooled past 14.
I got a first in my degree at 44 and am about to complete an MA.
If I can do it anybody can 💪[/quote]
That's amazing, well done!

I have had emails via Facebook from old school friends wanting to know exam boards, could you try that route?

I would be interested in this too

Ooh watching as I'm considering g going back to do some further study. Agreed a dedicated board would be really useful.

To the poster asking about different subjects, my first degree (many years ago!) is in Economics, then I went straight onto an MA in Social History.

For my OU course starting in October I'm studying Environmental Science.

It's just about being willing to read, study, think and carry out research in whatever you're interested in.

@pyjamafan that is interesting. My original university applications 30 years ago were for combined courses in Economics and social history- I didn’t get the grades and ended up doing straight Economics but the interest has always been there.

This would be great. I’m looking at a theatre production qualification in 2 or 3 years. I’ll be 54.

Great idea OP

I would love this. I am about to start my second year of my very first degree and am now 50 (terrifying and exciting )