I'm in a bad situation
I'm in a tough spot right now. I'm 19 years old and want to get back into education.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
Original post by Ridwan625
I'm in a tough spot right now. I'm 19 years old and want to get back into education.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
You say you "I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTEC". What subject was that in?
You also say "I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try". Does the phrase "first try" suggest that there was a second try? Did you get your GCSE English and Maths in the end?
It's understandable that you want to avoid wasting any further time. However, you need to consider that most students study GCSEs for two years and then A levels or Level 3 BTECs for two year before heading to uni. So, unless you plan to accelerate this timeline, you may have several more years of pre-uni education ahead of you.
Even if you managed to embark on a Level 3 BTEC course, are you really ready for that, given that you didn't pass any GCSEs (if I've understood you correctly) and didn't complete your Level 2 City & Guilds course at college?
A more realistic aim, I'd have thought, would be to focus on your GCSE Maths and English - not just because those will be useful generally, but because that will teach you skills which will be essential in the education which follows.
Have you looked at Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) courses at all? Many universities accept them, and they might be more appropriate for the situation you find yourself in. If you haven't come across them, do a little research on them and see what you think.
Original post by DataVenia
You say you "I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTEC". What subject was that in?
You also say "I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try". Does the phrase "first try" suggest that there was a second try? Did you get your GCSE English and Maths in the end?
It's understandable that you want to avoid wasting any further time. However, you need to consider that most students study GCSEs for two years and then A levels or Level 3 BTECs for two year before heading to uni. So, unless you plan to accelerate this timeline, you may have several more years of pre-uni education ahead of you.
Even if you managed to embark on a Level 3 BTEC course, are you really ready for that, given that you didn't pass any GCSEs (if I've understood you correctly) and didn't complete your Level 2 City & Guilds course at college?
A more realistic aim, I'd have thought, would be to focus on your GCSE Maths and English - not just because those will be useful generally, but because that will teach you skills which will be essential in the education which follows.
Have you looked at Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) courses at all? Many universities accept them, and they might be more appropriate for the situation you find yourself in. If you haven't come across them, do a little research on them and see what you think.
You also say "I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try". Does the phrase "first try" suggest that there was a second try? Did you get your GCSE English and Maths in the end?
It's understandable that you want to avoid wasting any further time. However, you need to consider that most students study GCSEs for two years and then A levels or Level 3 BTECs for two year before heading to uni. So, unless you plan to accelerate this timeline, you may have several more years of pre-uni education ahead of you.
Even if you managed to embark on a Level 3 BTEC course, are you really ready for that, given that you didn't pass any GCSEs (if I've understood you correctly) and didn't complete your Level 2 City & Guilds course at college?
A more realistic aim, I'd have thought, would be to focus on your GCSE Maths and English - not just because those will be useful generally, but because that will teach you skills which will be essential in the education which follows.
Have you looked at Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) courses at all? Many universities accept them, and they might be more appropriate for the situation you find yourself in. If you haven't come across them, do a little research on them and see what you think.
Apologies, I should have explained things in more detail. I earned Level 1 BTECs in Health and Social Care, Public Services, and Travel and Tourism. I did pass some GCSEs, including Physics, DT, and Computer Science. I also passed English on my second attempt, but I missed the mark in Maths by just a few points. I plan to retake Maths while completing my Level 2 qualification.
I’ve spoken to a senior careers advisor at a grammar school, and they advised me to get the Level 3 qualification, as that’s the only thing I’m missing to apply for university. I’ve also contacted several universities, and they’ve confirmed that all I need is a Level 3 qualification to be eligible for admission. Time is important to me because I’m planning to leave the UK as soon as possible due to personal reasons.
Original post by Ridwan625
Apologies, I should have explained things in more detail. I earned Level 1 BTECs in Health and Social Care, Public Services, and Travel and Tourism. I did pass some GCSEs, including Physics, DT, and Computer Science. I also passed English on my second attempt, but I missed the mark in Maths by just a few points. I plan to retake Maths while completing my Level 2 qualification.
I’ve spoken to a senior careers advisor at a grammar school, and they advised me to get the Level 3 qualification, as that’s the only thing I’m missing to apply for university. I’ve also contacted several universities, and they’ve confirmed that all I need is a Level 3 qualification to be eligible for admission. Time is important to me because I’m planning to leave the UK as soon as possible due to personal reasons.
I’ve spoken to a senior careers advisor at a grammar school, and they advised me to get the Level 3 qualification, as that’s the only thing I’m missing to apply for university. I’ve also contacted several universities, and they’ve confirmed that all I need is a Level 3 qualification to be eligible for admission. Time is important to me because I’m planning to leave the UK as soon as possible due to personal reasons.
Ah, that's different. I'd formed the impression that you had a single BTEC Level 1 in PE or something, yet were trying to embark on a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Engineering - without any of the necessary skills or knowledge. So it's good that that's not the case!
You say above that the "senior careers advisor at a grammar school" adviser you to "get the Level 3 qualification, as that’s the only thing I’m missing to apply for university". Yet you say, " I plan to retake Maths while completing my Level 2 qualification." Why are you bothering to complete the Level 2 qualification (which I assumed is the City & Guilds qualification you mentioned originally) if you don't need it? Doesn't that go against "Time is important" approach?
I know that you've "contacted several universities, and they’ve confirmed that all I need is a Level 3 qualification to be eligible for admission", but it's unlikely to be any Level 3 qualification that they's accept. For example, a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering is unlikely to get you anywhere, as the Extended Certificate is only worth the equivalent of one A level, and can earn you a maximum of 56 points. You''ll most likely need a the Extended Diploma in Engineering.
For example, if we look at Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) course at University of Brighton (which I picked at random, based on the fact that I saw Brighton on TV last night), they say they need "BTEC Extended Diploma DMM". Even then, they haven't provided the full picture as they haven't mentioned any subject requirements. For their A level entry requirements, they say "A-levels must include maths and a physical science." If they demand Maths and a physical science at A level (quite sensibly), then surely they must be equally discerning with the BTEC subject.
However, I thought the issues with BTECs was that "now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview." Further education funding in the UK is based upon your age, and at 19 you fall into the "19+" (i.e. adult) category, which I suspect is the issue. However, as you don't already hold a Level 3 qualification, you should still be funded fully for it.
The Government's main "Free courses for jobs" page, which explains how to apply for a free level 3 qualification, is here. There's a list of "colleges and training providers that are currently able to offer free places for one or more of the level 3 qualifications available to eligible adults" here. I suspect that many of the courses on offer will be Access to HE courses, which I mentioned earlier, but it's certainly worth a look.
Original post by Ridwan625
I'm in a tough spot right now. I'm 19 years old and want to get back into education.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
I left secondary school with only Level 1 BTECs because I didn’t pass English and Maths on my first try, and I didn’t do well in my GCSEs. I enrolled in a City & Guilds Level 2 course at college but dropped out due to mental health issues. After that, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got a retail job. This was my third time working in retail, but I stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, I recently had a work-related accident, resulting in a Grade 2 muscle strain and a damaged lower back. This incident has made me reassess my situation, and I’ve realized (a bit late) that I need to focus on education to get a professional job.
I want to go to university to study Automotive Engineering because I’ve always loved performance cars. But to get there, I need a BTEC Level 3 certificate in an engineering field, preferably in vehicles. The problem is, now that I’m 19, many courses are closed, and the ones I’ve tried to apply for have said that there’s a low chance of getting an interview. I don’t want to spend years doing Level 2 and 3 at college only to repeat a year in university. Plus, if I can’t even get into a Level 2 course this year, it feels like I’m just losing more time.
On top of that, my osteopath has advised me to take a break from working in retail for a few months to recover from my injury.
I’m really not sure what to do next, and it’s stressing me out. I don’t usually ask for advice on forums, but I’m at a loss, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
Find somewhere to do gcse maths and english. Or functional skills in maths and english
proceed onto an access course.
I went to an event for an access to he course, got interviewed and got an unconditional offer as i met the grades.
They told us all that those who do not have the necessary grades could do functional skills with them, starting in december? maybe they said after, I would presume they'd start it after christmas... so january. They will complete the functional skills in maths and/or english in time to start an acess course in september. The access course is what, a year? So I would presumse acacdemically like... 9 months.
Roughly 8 months from january to september to get those functional skills,
Then like, 9 months (?) to complete your access course starting in that september.
15 months, pretty fast.
I hope this helps. If there's a will there's a way
(edited 5 days ago)
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