Mature student advice

wozzizname · 2 Dec 2006 at 15:57

Basically, help ! I've been with BT for an eye watering 19 years as an engineer, and due to restructuring/outsourcing etc I've very little chance of getting anywhere with the company. My plan is to apply for a voluntary redundancy package in the spring (I've been turned down twice, but told I've a good chance of getting it in the spring) and go to uni - trouble is I'm undecided what route to take.
I've a couple of very bad A levels from 20 yrs ago and a BTEC national in electronics and telecomms from about 10 yrs ago, so I'm guessing that direct entry to a degree is going to be difficult. My options are a 4 year degree in something computer/i.t. related (including a foundation year), or a foundation degree probably followed by an extra year to top it up to a full Hons. I've also been told by friends to try for direct entry onto a Business degree as this will provide me with easier employment prospects at the end (bearing in mind I'll be at least 45 when I finish all this).
Any constructive advice or comments (particularly employment prospects for mature grads) would be welcome as my brain is going round in circles right now....
:confused:

HEADRAT · 2 Dec 2006 at 15:59

With the qualifications you've got and you undoubted "work" related experience I would imagine you could choose almost any Degree or University within reason.

What work do you currently do at BT, is there any way you coud do that for somebody else or are you looking for a new challenge?

I went back to University as a mature student and had a great time, admittedly I was on 23 when I left with my degree though!

HEADRAT

Nix · 2 Dec 2006 at 16:01

They're much more lenient on mature students than 'normal' students. Providing your experience is adequate you should find little problem getting onto the course you want. The best thing you can do though is start e-mailing universities and asking them for yourself.

A mature graduate is still a graduate. The bonus is, you will already have experience in a certain field too

HEADRAT · 2 Dec 2006 at 16:02

Yup agreed, don't look at the entry requirements, actually ask to speak to the head of faculty of the course you are interested in.

HEADRAT

bolger · 2 Dec 2006 at 16:05

My dad worked in BT for 29 years, started off right at the very bottom - engineer.

Managed to work up to director and decided at his age he could do without the stress of the job and took the voluntry redundancy (took him 2 years to get them to let him take it tho).

You could try applying for a better job, 19 years experience in BT should be worth as much or more than a degree in some cases (my dad has no education background but with the experience he had he could get a less stressful job at the same level somewhere else).

hope this helps.