[ryoko_rock]

Hi,

A bit of background: I'm currently 25, I did an undergrad degree in Spanish and Portuguese and came into the world of work in 2008, got a marketing related job where I have been for a couple of years and this year I completed a CIM Certificate in Marketing.

However. I am not happy here, and although part of it is this company part of it is me not sure that marketing is what I really want to do - or if it is, I want to be more in the creative/artistic side of marketing, doing design perhaps. But for that I feel like some kind of art qualification would be required.

I did Art at A level and never continued it but have regretted that somewhat, and so I have recently been looking into doing an Art Foundation, starting in 2012. It's something I really want to do, and I know that a lot of mature students study art foundations, but my main issue is how can you finance the course whilst also paying rent, bills and the other financial burdens of being in your mid-20s!

Has anyone on this forum done this? Is it possible to get another student loan or not? If not, is there any other financial help available?

Or is it better to try and find a part time course that will let me work at the same time as studying...

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[StudyDuckling]

Hi

I've just stumbled across your message (albeit a bit late!) as I'm looking at doing an art and design foundation course at LCC starting in Sept. I'm also a mature student - 25 (hate the "mature" bit, not very accurate!) and originally I was under the impression I would be able to get student funding for this.

I haven't made any application for a student loan yet, however when I went to the college for interview and mentioned it, they said I wouldn't be able to receive funding as it's a pre degree course. If this is true it will put a bit of a spanner in the works, though I'm fortunate in so much as I've got a partner who can cover the rent if need be. That said, once you've been working and earning a decent living it's hard to go back to nothing so I'll probably look at doing evening work (I'm current a legal PA so should be able to find something).

Is there no way you could move back to your folks while you study, that way you'd only have to pay for food etc. Also have you tried speaking with the college to see if they offer any bursaries or grants for things like this?

Good luck, hope you manage to get yourself on a course you will enjoy - know what it feels like to be in a dead end career that you don't enjoy but pays ok!