Mature Student or Stick at

Nice one mate :)

Just a little heads-up, you'll wanna get this sorted out before A-level results come out. Universities get overwhelmed by people phoning up as they didn't make the grades for their first choice etc. Saying that, with the increased loan fees it might quieten down a bit now.
 
mundstick said:
The University of Northampton, which is where I live, run the ACCA course. I am just conatcting them now for admission details.
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I don't know about this particular course, but most finance degrees only usually exempt you from some of the earlier stage ACCA/CIMA exam papers. You will then need to sit several more papers and gain 3 years of practical experience to become a chartered accountant.
Studying while working in a finance related job might be preferable (and may make a lot more financial sense!) than going to university? You don't need a degree to study ACCA or CIMA
 
It’s never too late to better yourself. If you can afford to take the time out and if your new qualifications give the prospect of a better life then go for it. :)
 
pcoltrane said:
I don't know about this particular course, but most finance degrees only usually exempt you from some of the earlier stage ACCA/CIMA exam papers. You will then need to sit several more papers and gain 3 years of practical experience to become a chartered accountant.
Studying while working in a finance related job might be preferable (and may make a lot more financial sense!) than going to university? You don't need a degree to study ACCA or CIMA
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Thanks for the advice. The plan I had in my mind was to start the course as soon as possible and get 4 of the papers done (there are 14 in total) to start off with.

Once I have these I was then going to look for a finance realted job. I thought this approach would give me more chance of landing the finance job?
 
I'm 31, just got accepted into Uni starting this September doing Sound Production.

Wish i'd done it earlier but hey ho. Sick of working in boring, non-challenging jobs.

GO FOR IT.
 
Posty said:
i wonder, do mature students qualify for student loan or do you have to pay out of savings?
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I have not thought about or looked in to this but I am guessing it would have to come out of savings. But I would imagine that would also depend or your income etc?
 
My mate went to the uni of Northampton. I've always considered it a mickey-mouse uni, because he's thick as pig**** and yet he still walked away with a first class degree.
 
Van Hellseek said:
My mate went to the uni of Northampton. I've always considered it a mickey-mouse uni, because he's thick as pig**** and yet he still walked away with a first class degree.
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Sounds perfect for me then :D

But to be honest the ACCA course examinations are actually held by the ACCA itself, its just the preparation work as I understand it that goes on at the college. I have been on the phone and I am looking to start in September to take the forst three papers with the exams being taken next June!
 
mundstick said:
Thanks for the advice. The plan I had in my mind was to start the course as soon as possible and get 4 of the papers done (there are 14 in total) to start off with.

Once I have these I was then going to look for a finance realted job. I thought this approach would give me more chance of landing the finance job?
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Yes - I think taking the 5 CIMA certificate exams or the 3 Foundation stage exams for ACCA will give you a much better chance of getting a first finance job without any finance experience.

These exams can be taken computer based and are mostly multiple choice. They are relatively easy compared to the rest of the qualification. Many people do go on courses to take these (usually because their company is paying), but I did them home study using BPP books (£30 new or under a tenner 2nd hand) and found it no problem.

After that the exams get harder and study courses do help. Companies such as BPP, Kaplan and First Intuition (among others) offer taught and revision courses.

Personally I would get the text book for the first Certificate/Foundation level exam and see how you get on. You might find you can sail through them on your own. Once you have a couple under your belt, you may then be able to find a finance job that offers a study package (study leave + will pay for or contribute towards the courses). Then it's just the hard slog through the rest of the exams!
 
mundstick said:
Well, in theory I guess you could. However having taken that sort of course on something I did previously I am not sure its the best method of learning for me.
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what are your plans? to go full time into education i.e leave your job?

it's something i've been considering but i'm not sure. i'm in a decent job with a company car etc but its not what i wanted to do with my life really.
had looked at open university and the like , but i think doing a full time job and full time study would kill me lol

but it's a big step to leave your income and go to uni at this age. do you have a mortgage or any ties?
 
mundstick said:
Well, in theory I guess you could. However having taken that sort of course on something I did previously I am not sure its the best method of learning for me.
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Fair enough perhpas not - but there are other options that don't necessarily involve you having to leave your current job. Plenty of training companies out there for these accountancy qualifications. Does this university course involve full time study or is it evening classes - it might well be worth exploring other options.
 
pcoltrane said:
Yes - I think taking the 5 CIMA certificate exams or the 3 Foundation stage exams for ACCA will give you a much better chance of getting a first finance job without any finance experience.

These exams can be taken computer based and are mostly multiple choice. They are relatively easy compared to the rest of the qualification. Many people do go on courses to take these (usually because their company is paying), but I did them home study using BPP books (£30 new or under a tenner 2nd hand) and found it no problem.

After that the exams get harder and study courses do help. Companies such as BPP, Kaplan and First Intuition (among others) offer taught and revision courses.

Personally I would get the text book for the first Certificate/Foundation level exam and see how you get on. You might find you can sail through them on your own. Once you have a couple under your belt, you may then be able to find a finance job that offers a study package (study leave + will pay for or contribute towards the courses). Then it's just the hard slog through the rest of the exams!
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I think before I sign up I will have a look and see if I can pick up any of the BPP books etc to see if I think I can amange the content on my own. My only reservation about doing so is I know how easily distracted I am. The ACCA course I would have to do on a wednesday evening, 4pm to 9.30pm. I know I will have to do more work outside of this as well but it is at least forcing me into those working those hours each week.

Cruiser said:
what are your plans? to go full time into education i.e leave your job?

it's something i've been considering but i'm not sure. i'm in a decent job with a company car etc but its not what i wanted to do with my life really.
had looked at open university and the like , but i think doing a full time job and full time study would kill me lol

but it's a big step to leave your income and go to uni at this age. do you have a mortgage or any ties?
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No, any course I do will have to be part time. I have a mortgage wife and two kids too support so full time is out of the question. I have been back to do several other courses in the past whilst working and it really does put a strain on your time. I guess it really depends how much you want to change your situation.
 
Do it, take the chance, do something you want to do.

I'm 28, and about to leave my job, a very comfortably lifestyle, an amazing place to live, fantastic group of friends, everything to have a very happy life.... to move across the other side of the country, to a place where I know absolutely no one, financially struggle like hell for a year, all to chase a life-altering career choice...
 
tres said:
Do it, take the chance, do something you want to do.

I'm 28, and about to leave my job, a very comfortably lifestyle, an amazing place to live, fantastic group of friends, everything to have a very happy life.... to move across the other side of the country, to a place where I know absolutely no one, financially struggle like hell for a year, all to chase a life-altering career choice...
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I wish you luck mate I hope when I finish uni I get a job I love so I dont have to change mid career (perhaps wishful thinking).

May I ask what you did and plan to do?
 
My Dad did an OU degree over 5 years while working full time, his work paid for it. It was a lot of hard work, but it payed off as he got a promotion for doing it.
 
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