I want to get a Degree, but I'm 36 years old with no qualifications!?

Question

Hi. I'm 36 years old and desperate to get a full time (not part-time) Degree. I left school at a very early age due to an illness, but never got to finish my qualifications. I did pretty well though, joined the forces as a clerk and taught myself all about networking and computers, moved out of the army and started freelancing in London. Even talked my way into a lecturer role at Bromley University.

I've always been in computers, but I really want to get into Neural Sciences. I got made redundant last month and I'm even more depressed about my lack of qualifications than ever before! I want to do this for me, for my son and my future offspring. I want to feel useful to society!

My friend told me that I might be able to get sponsorship from a company, but I don't know where to start. I did speak with the OU but they were pretty off with me. One guy even said I shouldn't do Science because I don't have the qualifications, and that I should stick to IT.

Any advice ?

Thank you ...

Answer 1

It is possible that with your background you may be able to (as the poster above mentions) get into university without qualifications. However, the sciences is one area (unlike eg social sciences, some arts and humanities) where prior knowledge is essential, so I think your options are limited. Those universities which might accept you without the required qualifications are unlikely to be particularly great places to study or have a degree from.



If you are serious about going to university the option I would absolutely recommend is doing an Access to Higher Education course - these are one year long, fairly intensive courses specifically designed for people in your situation, with few or no qualifications but a lot of determination. They are essentially compressed A levels, with some core skills like maths and English, and are focused at getting you into university. You choose the subjects you wish to study, just like with A levels. They have great success rates - on the course I did a couple of years ago everyone got into their first choice university and course, including some pretty prestigious institutions - even Oxbridge is not unheard of. These courses are aimed at mature students and the people on my course ranged from 21 to 66, with all kinds of backgrounds. If you are interested then get in touch with your local college - it may even be possible to start this year if there are places left, but you would have to get in touch asap as the term has already started. Good luck!

Answer 2

Often if you are a mature student you do not need qualifications providing you show a real interest in the subject and can demonstrate you have the ability to do the work, this would mostly be shown through the personal statement in the application process and the interview.



I can't say I know anything about neural science or how demanding it is so I would suggest finding a university or universities you'd like to attend and attending an open day or contacting the university to enquire if you are able to start a degree next year.



A friend of mine went to university to study a form of physics without any science qualifications but he was required to attend for 4 years rather than 3 to do a course to prepare him for it, that may be the case with you, but there will definitely be a way for you to study the course you want to, it just might take longer than it would if you had science qualifications previously.

Answer 3

Hello Mr Lee,



If you are keen I should first approach a local college and ask about franchise degrees.



This is where you start your degree course in a college for the first year and in years 2 and three you go to University and you Graduate from a University.



As a mature student you may be asked to sit an external Maths exam and an external English paper. The standard of maths and English equates to a standard between that of an O level and an A level.



If you fail these then you should enrol on an HEFC Higher education foundation certificate in at least 3 areas. Maths, English and one other say History or Economics or a Science. You never know your local college may well have a course which will give you the eqivalent of 4 A levels via this route but should at least offer three.



The HEFC course is a part time course and is mainly assessed by course work and in some cases a final exam. It is all dependent on what subjects you choose.



The reason why I have told you of the HEFC course is because it leads you as a mature student on to the next step.



Once you have this HEFC qualification you are ready to do a Franchise degree course. HEFC stands for Higher Education Foundation Certificate and the reason for its existence is that it is meant to replace a lack of certificated subjects from your years of schooling.



With the HEFC behind you as a mature student you should be able to enrol on a degree course via attending an open day rather than going through UCAS and stating your University of choice.



Best of luck to you in your personal career goal post. Go for it if it is something you really want.

Answer 4

As a mature student, you should be able to do an access course at a university and, if you complete it successfully, you will be admitted into a degree programme. I'd suggest you speak to some universities that are local to where you live, check their websites and etc., and see what they have to offer re: access courses for the field you hope to study. If any have such courses, contact them directly.



It would be easier for you to study IT than to study science, but it won't be impossible for you to study science, if that interests you. You do, however, need to find the right university, one with an appropriate access course, and one that will admit you with the level of qualifications that you have. But they do exist.



In London, for example, I'm thinking Thames Valley might admit you, if they offer the course you want. Maybe speak directly to them.

Answer 5

You could start by ringing the university or universities you want to go to and tell them your situation and ask what qualifications they require to enter their courses. Many offer foundation courses which acquaint you with the subject you want to study and get you onto the degree course when you've finished the foundation one.

Don't worry about not fitting in with the students when you get to uni either. There are loads of mature students who find themselves in your situation and go to uni in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Hope this helps:-)

Answer 6

i'm a instructor and characteristic been coaching for around 4 years. Its an extremely advantageous pastime yet very stressful and tense. in case you like to grow to be a qualified instructor in England you ought to first have a GCSE grade C or above in Maths, English Language and technological know-how. you ought to somewhat have a appropriate degree at type 2:a million or bigger (ideally). then you are able to word for instructor training. you're able to do a p.c.., a GTP or a SCITT. those will all supply you qualified instructor status. p.c.. is terrific considering is across the worldwide regarded, however the GTP will pay £15,000 that's a great determination in case you cant cope with to pay for to stay a twelve months devoid of pay. desire that helps!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

did you do you're gcse's?

go to college.

you can study there then progress to university.

dont let your age get to you theres all ages at my college.

you can't get into uni without any A levels or BTECs.

i dont think.

so you could do a BTEC in IT.

Answer 10

Go the Microsoft route and get certified.