Mature student starting Biomedical Sciences

Hi all, I'm 35 (36 when uni starts) and have my place accepted at UWE for biomedical sciences. Hoping I may have some other mature students on the course with me??

Amy

Hey everyone 🙋🏼
I'm in my early 30's and just finishing my 2nd year of BSc Applied Biomedical Science at Essex university
I got accepted with a conditional offer at both Essex and Suffolk after doing a 1 year CAVA Access to HE Science diploma (DDD) in-person at college.
I did my access course having been out of education for over a decade, and I hadn't studied science since GCSE (did some non relevant AS Levels) and my job history is in hospitality.
It's never too late to get back into it, if I can do it, anybody can!
AMA if you've got any questions about Biomedical Science or the access course
Best wishes
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Hi all, I'm 35 (36 when uni starts) and have my place accepted at UWE for biomedical sciences. Hoping I may have some other mature students on the course with me??
Amy

Hi there I am 45 year old and want to do BSc in biomedical science. I am out from education since 2004. But I have good understanding of science upto GCSE level. Can you please guide me how can I move forward.

An access course is your best way forward - typically a one year intense course studied at college (or online) to get you into university. What is it you need to know?

Hi thanks for getting back to me.
I have searched online there is one year of extended degree in biomedical science. This is available in clearing as well. After that I can apply into different categories such as M pharmacy.
Is this the correct route?
Furthermore can I apply for student loan or do I have to fund myself as this will be difficult as I support my kids and towards household after I got D from my husband.
Also I have done my BSc overseas in 1999 but honestly I would rather start fresh as I hardly remember my modules.
I really highly appreciate your feedback.
Thank you so much

Hi there I am 45 year old and want to do BSc in biomedical science. I am out from education since 2004. But I have good understanding of science upto GCSE level. Can you please guide me how can I move forward.

Hi @tamkhan999 👋
That's great to hear you're looking at biomedical science ☺️ There's a few different options I would recommend to get into the degree.
I went the Access Course route, as like you I had good knowledge at GCSE level but it was so long ago. I found the access course in science was great as I attended a college and was taught in person so it got me back into that studying mindset and refreshed my memory of how to study again.
Some universities have specific criteria that they need to be covered by an access course so always good to check before you apply.
Depending on your level of education, a degree with a Foundation Year is a great option for many people as it prepares you for university and is perfect if you don't quite meet the grades needed for the BSc or you've studied non-science subjects. At Essex you're also guaranteed a place on your chosen degree when you pass your foundation year.
What is starting to gain traction and some universities are now offering is a degree apprenticeship in biomedical science. This is certainly a longer route to becoming fully qualified, but you would have the benefit of earning a wage while you study.
I understand you need to support your family while you study, so a part time degree is also a possibility so you could work alongside your studies.
I'd recommend contacting Student Finance England to check your eligibility for a student loan and a maintenance loan. There are a lot of small bursaries available but you would need to do a bit of research. Not many bursaries are solely enough to get you through uni without a loan but some of them are stackable.
I hope this helps!
Best wishes
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Hi, no problem.
So whilst every university is different the problem you are likely to encounter is they want evidence of recent study. Your degree was a long time ago so this is unlikely to count. I completed an access course 11/12? years ago but this is no longer accepted (even though I passed with full distinctions) due to the time out of studying. Has your previous degree got any relevance to biomedical science?
The best advice really is to seek out the universities you are interested in and contacting the admissions team directly and discuss this. If they will not accept you with no recent studying I do advise the access course over taking A levels. Foundation years at university (if offered) are an option but again may be rejected for the above and if you don't qualify for student finance it is another year to pay for
I can't really advise in the financial side of the degree as I've never applied for finance but maybe someone else on here can help with that or maybe it would be worth contacting Student Finance England

Hi all, I'm 35 (36 when uni starts) and have my place accepted at UWE for biomedical sciences. Hoping I may have some other mature students on the course with me??
Amy

Congrats Amy! Can I ask if you did an access course? And if so, part time / full time? I’m 32 and looking into returning to university to study Biomedical Sciences but don’t know where to begin as I’m in a completely different field! Hope you have a great time on your course.