question about Uni's

Kol · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:13

I hoped to try the 'mature student' thing as I had worked for a life science company for over 2 years. Though to be honest, without A-Levels, I would have found a pharmacology / neuroscience degree near impossible. They told me I would be best to do A-Levels, so I enrolled on a course which allowed me to do them in one year. Bingo. Got in.

A lot of people worry about leaving their job to do some A-Levels to give them a stepping stone to higher education. My advice is, don't worry about it. If you're in the position where you are able to earn yourself some backup money and then quit your job, as did I, then you shouldn't have a problem. Students loans and grants also help you greatly, so money issues shouldn't be a problem either.

Phate · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:15

triggerthat said:
What sort of work have you been doing and how old are you?

Am not entirely sure if you have to go through UCAS as a mature student. If so, I can always show you my personal statement which I used.

Let me know how you get on.

Thanks man

i started working when i was 15 at a company in chelmsford as a builder monkey, there i learnt a lot about RAID and SCSI and was building and supporting (hardware side) desktop machines (was kicking out 25 a day), laptops, tower and rackmount servers, i was there for almost a year, and ever since ive been in a company i still build the occasional PC but nothing on the same level as before. atm in this company i am mainly fixing computers, usually home based machines full of viruses etc. and all sorts so its always a different day and each PC is a different fix.

at the minute im 17, (18 in July)

So im deffinately going to be looking at computer courses, any specific Uni i should be looking at really?

Thanks for all the help guys

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:16

NiCkNaMe said:
Yeah, you can do a foundation year that prequels actually starting the degree. So a 3 year course, becomes a four year... with the first being one that will 'bring you up to speed'.

Quite right. However, depending on the subject it can vary. For example, there exists a new e-business foundation degree. Obviously the entry requirements are lower than the BSc however majority of students (mainly individuals who are currently working, have family, dependencies) do the course. Its not a foundation degree as such because after the two years, you can go straight into the final year of a BSc depending on your grade.

This was a course I was considering however, because I didn't have any dependencies, she recommended I go and study for the BSc.

Kol · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:17

Phate said:
Thanks man

i started working when i was 15 at a company in chelmsford as a builder monkey, there i learnt a lot about RAID and SCSI and was building and supporting (hardware side) desktop machines (was kicking out 25 a day), laptops, tower and rackmount servers, i was there for almost a year, and ever since ive been in a company i still build the occasional PC but nothing on the same level as before. atm in this company i am mainly fixing computers, usually home based machines full of viruses etc. and all sorts so its always a different day and each PC is a different fix.

at the minute im 17, (18 in July)

So im deffinately going to be looking at computer courses, any specific Uni i should be looking at really?

Thanks for all the help guys

If you're only 17 (which is quite young in the grand scheme of things) I would see about enrolling and doing A-Levels. You will benefit in the fact that you won't find your first year as much of a struggle. You could always enrol and do them in the evening which a lot of my friends did.

Stellios · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:18

The problem you will encounter is that most courses dont only cover hardware, they almost all cover a bit of databases, coding, hardware and other stuff making the course more varied.

Just realised your 17, in which case you might be best off doing a couple of AS levels, or i would happily recommend my BTEC IT practitioners course as i really enjoyed it and learned a fair bit from it then applying to university next september, your a bit late to apply for this year for uni anyway.

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:24

Stellios said:
The problem you will encounter is that most courses dont only cover hardware, they almost all cover a bit of databases, coding, hardware and other stuff making the course more varied.

Ah yes. I almost forgot.

Many students on my course (Computer Science) are probably doing it for the wrong reasons. Computer Science involves a lot Programming, and depending on which university you go to, Mathematics and Logic. After doing your research, if you feel that you can handle it - apply as a mature student. The worst that can happen is that they'll say no.

Consider the e-business course (FdSc - IT for E-Business foundation) which you have to apply through UCAS I believe. Read up on it - it sounds very interesting and probably up your street. You can even be hardcore and still maintain your job and do the FdSc on the side. You can then quit your job and spend a year converting it to a BSc. Beware, at the time I applied I found out that you couldn't do a placement if you did this route, however I believe that changed since last year.

Davey_Pitch · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:24

Phate said:
at the minute im 17, (18 in July)

At that age you've got zero chance of getting in as a mature student, which is 21 and over I'm afraid. You'd be best doing something like A levels, AS levels or some kind of diploma to bridge the gap between your GCSE's and the degree you want to do.

Zefan · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:25

The University of the West of England might strike you as being poor for computing (Rankings etc) but I'm constantly hearing about them in New Scientist etc making breakthroughs, so take a look at some of the courses there (Computer Systems Engineering in particular, very hardware, very little of the computer science type stuff). Pretty reputable uni that have good connections with businesses for placement years, medium point requirements and the city is great!

Davey_Pitch · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:26

For some info on being a mature student, click here http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Handling_discrimination/Mature_students/p!egFLl

crashuk · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:27

do a traditional degree it will open more doors for you dont do a comp.

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:27

Stellios said:
The problem you will encounter is that most courses dont only cover hardware, they almost all cover a bit of databases, coding, hardware and other stuff making the course more varied.

Just realised your 17, in which case you might be best off doing a couple of AS levels, or i would happily recommend my BTEC IT practitioners course as i really enjoyed it and learned a fair bit from it then applying to university next september, your a bit late to apply for this year for uni anyway.

BTEC is something to consider as I did that course years ago. However, I wouldn't recommend that route considering the other options that are available.

As for applying, its never too late. Trust me.

Top universities don't like late applications. However, the rest don't entirely mind as want bums on seats.

Stellios · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:32

triggerthat said:
Computer Science involves a lot Programming, and depending on which university you go to, Mathematics and Logic.

Im glad you said it involves a lot of programming, its something i really want to get into

Done a lot of VB this year and a bit HTML/PHP and its something i seem to like doing. Maths on the other hand isnt my strongest point, but im still good at it. If you aint gathered already im doing comp sci next year.

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:32

Davey_Pitch said:
At that age you've got zero chance of getting in as a mature student, which is 21 and over I'm afraid. You'd be best doing something like A levels, AS levels or some kind of diploma to bridge the gap between your GCSE's and the degree you want to do.

Ah yes. Unfortunately you'd have to, as Pitch say, do something to bridge the gap. It will be tough to impress them for them to take you on. However, don't get me wrong it is possible

. One of my friends, a college leaver from the states managed to get in reading Computer Science.

Anyway - A-Levels is a common route however based on your experience I don't think that's the right approach. A-Levels is more academic. A vocational qualification will suite you much more. Consider the FdSc or a diploma.

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:33

Stellios said:
Im glad you said it involves a lot of programming, its something i really want to get into Done a lot of VB this year and a bit HTML/PHP and its something i seem to like doing. Maths on the other hand isnt my strongest point, but im still good at it. If you aint gathered already im doing comp sci next year.

I thought you would.

Where you off to? You currently doing a BTEC?

Davey_Pitch · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:35

Stellios said:
Im glad you said it involves a lot of programming, its something i really want to get into Done a lot of VB this year and a bit HTML/PHP and its something i seem to like doing. Maths on the other hand isnt my strongest point, but im still good at it. If you aint gathered already im doing comp sci next year.

The programming in Computer Science is mainly things like C, C++ and other Object Oriented languages. I'm sure there are elective modules you can take which use the languages you already know, but I'm sure the syllabus will have changed from when I was at Uni (plus it differs from Uni to Uni genrally anyway).

Stellios · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:36

Off to Northumbria Uni

Yep, just finishing off the fine details of the second year of my BTEC now, should be finished this week or early next week, hopefully with stright distinctions.

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:37

Davey_Pitch said:
The programming in Computer Science is mainly things like C, C++ and other Object Oriented languages. I'm sure there are elective modules you can take which use the languages you already know, but I'm sure the syllabus will have changed from when I was at Uni (plus it differs from Uni to Uni genrally anyway).

Yup. C++ was common. However, now Java is now a very common first year module which prepares you for the OO world.

Davey_Pitch · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:38

triggerthat said:
Yup. C++ was common. However, now Java is now a very common first year module which prepares you for the OO world.

Aye, it was a 2nd year elective as I remember when I was at Uni, though it was back in 1997 when I started (wow, that makes me feel old

).

Stellios · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:39

triggerthat said:
Yup. C++ was common. However, now Java is now a very common first year module which prepares you for the OO world.

You couldnt be any more correct. Java in the first year.

THATS IT

triggerthat · 7 Jun 2006 at 02:39

Stellios said:
Off to Northumbria Uni

Yep, just finishing off the fine details of the second year of my BTEC now, should be finished this week or early next week, hopefully with stright distinctions.

Just looking on their website - the uni looks great. Am sure you'll have a good time. As for the BTEC, I remember getting everything sorted before I could leave for the summer was a pain. Managed to get 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits in the end. (DDD

).