Access to A level courses for "mature" students?

SheffieldMan1976
SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 3,496 Connected
in Education and skills

Above.

I want to apply for a game design course up at Sheffield Hallam Uni, however I don't currently have any A levels which are required for the course, I'd willingly go back to College on a part time basis to get them but for some reason, Sheffield College keeps telling me I'm too old to be a student as I'm considerably over 25.

Would there be a way round this as I am keen to join the course?

Comments

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,058 Online Community Team

    It may be that they don't offer A-level courses to adults or people over a certain age. Not everywhere does unfortunately.

    But you could have a look at Access to Higher Education courses. Those are more designed to get people up to the standard to start a university degree, but you usually don't need A-levels to qualify for them. You might need a GCSE or two, but you'd have to check with individual colleges to see what their requirements are. Would that be an option for you?

  • ChrisR777
    ChrisR777 Community Member Posts: 1,603 Championing

    You are considerably older that what constitutes a mature student, and I think you know that. You would have to self fund, as you found out recently with the £9,500 pa university tuition fees.

    I wish I had gone to college to do my Highers (A Levels) but that time was over 30 years ago, too late now.

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Community Member Posts: 5,325 Championing
    edited August 9
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/148205/access-to-a-level-courses-for-mature-students

    You can do A levels as a mature student. Though most people take A levels at 18 there are no restrictions for them to sit them at older ages.

    However many sixth forms or colleges do not accept mature students to avoid contact between adults and minors.

    Also getting back to study routines after a long time can be difficult. There could also be a charge for tuition fees to study A levels at age 50.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 3,496 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1143519#Comment_1143519

    I couldn't do any A levels 30 odd years ago because I did not do well enough at High school.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 3,496 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1143506#Comment_1143506

    I have GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade A for English, Grade 3 for Maths)

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Community Member Posts: 5,325 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1143543#Comment_1143543

    Hi @SheffieldMan1976 I do not wish to be unkind but are you being realistic here.

    1.You do not have the qualifications to do the degree course you are interested in.

    2. You cannot afford the fees to do the course.

    3. You would not have the transport necessary to take you for on site studying, even if this was only a couple of times a week.

    Even if all the above issues did not make it very difficult if not impossible for you what would you do with this qualification once you had it?

    It is not always possible to do all the things in life we would like.

  • ChrisR777
    ChrisR777 Community Member Posts: 1,603 Championing
    edited August 10

    @SheffieldMan1976 - I wish I could go back to work and find another partner, but as we all know, want doesn't always get.

    You have been advised repeatedly to take stock of all the positives in your life, you may be surprised how fortunate you are. I don't get to do much these days, but harping about it won't change my circumstances; indeed I am very fortunate compared to many millions of my fellow man.

  • Community_Scope
    Community_Scope Posts: 2,424 Online Community Team

    We've removed a few comments, along with some related replies that lost their context. A quick reminder to everyone, please keep discussions safe, respectful, and supportive.

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