CertHE/ DipHE
I am exploring the possibility of studying a part-time or distance learning qualification, such as a CertHE, NHC, or even a DipHE. Currently, I’m employed full-time in the agri/manufacturing industry, and my employer is supportive of me pursuing higher education alongside my work. My highest qualification is a Level 3 Diploma in Fine Arts & Design, which I completed in 2016 after finishing school. Since then, I’ve been working full-time and feel that now is the right time to begin further education that aligns with my career path.
Does anyone have experience with balancing work and study, or can you recommend where I should begin financially & applications. Most of my friends haven’t followed a similar route, so their experiences aren't directly relevant to my situation in 2024-2025.
Does anyone have experience with balancing work and study, or can you recommend where I should begin financially & applications. Most of my friends haven’t followed a similar route, so their experiences aren't directly relevant to my situation in 2024-2025.
Really depends where you do the course and what course it is.
With the OU, you get a lot of flexibility since there aren't formally timetabled elements (there are tutorials but these are optional and there are always a number of different time slots), and so it's just a case of fitting in your studying around your other activities. It does take some adjustment to make sure you do get yourself to study regularly though without an external thing like a formally timetabled lecture pushing you towards it.
For other providers, especially for in person courses, it can vary a lot. Some may just schedule things at the same time as full time students throughout the day/week which can be tricky to balance with working if you have set hours/shifts. Others like Birkbeck may offer evening classes or similar.
Also which option is the best fit for you may depend on what you want to study!
In terms of student finance, something to keep in mind is while you can get tuition fee funding usually, you won't normally be able to get maintenance loan funding.
With the OU, you get a lot of flexibility since there aren't formally timetabled elements (there are tutorials but these are optional and there are always a number of different time slots), and so it's just a case of fitting in your studying around your other activities. It does take some adjustment to make sure you do get yourself to study regularly though without an external thing like a formally timetabled lecture pushing you towards it.
For other providers, especially for in person courses, it can vary a lot. Some may just schedule things at the same time as full time students throughout the day/week which can be tricky to balance with working if you have set hours/shifts. Others like Birkbeck may offer evening classes or similar.
Also which option is the best fit for you may depend on what you want to study!
In terms of student finance, something to keep in mind is while you can get tuition fee funding usually, you won't normally be able to get maintenance loan funding.
Reply 2
Thank you!
Studying hasn’t been a priority for me in the past, but now that I’m part of a company that supports it, I feel it’s time to start exploring my options.
I have started researching courses to find one. Although I considered the Open University, it doesn’t quite fit the field I want to study. My employer has tentatively offered to cover the course fees, but this might involve a contractual change, so I’m also considering funding it myself/ taking a student loan to maintain full freedom. I have done some digging into finances but as i’m earning full-time I don’t think i will need the maintenance part. I think an attending some open days may be the next step!
Studying hasn’t been a priority for me in the past, but now that I’m part of a company that supports it, I feel it’s time to start exploring my options.
I have started researching courses to find one. Although I considered the Open University, it doesn’t quite fit the field I want to study. My employer has tentatively offered to cover the course fees, but this might involve a contractual change, so I’m also considering funding it myself/ taking a student loan to maintain full freedom. I have done some digging into finances but as i’m earning full-time I don’t think i will need the maintenance part. I think an attending some open days may be the next step!
Original post
by michelle.pumfreyThank you!
Studying hasn’t been a priority for me in the past, but now that I’m part of a company that supports it, I feel it’s time to start exploring my options.
I have started researching courses to find one. Although I considered the Open University, it doesn’t quite fit the field I want to study. My employer has tentatively offered to cover the course fees, but this might involve a contractual change, so I’m also considering funding it myself/ taking a student loan to maintain full freedom. I have done some digging into finances but as i’m earning full-time I don’t think i will need the maintenance part. I think an attending some open days may be the next step!
Studying hasn’t been a priority for me in the past, but now that I’m part of a company that supports it, I feel it’s time to start exploring my options.
I have started researching courses to find one. Although I considered the Open University, it doesn’t quite fit the field I want to study. My employer has tentatively offered to cover the course fees, but this might involve a contractual change, so I’m also considering funding it myself/ taking a student loan to maintain full freedom. I have done some digging into finances but as i’m earning full-time I don’t think i will need the maintenance part. I think an attending some open days may be the next step!
You sound to be in a very favourable position so best of luck
I'd say then see what's out there in your field of interest and see where you can go with it. If your company is offering to cover course fees I expect they may be more flexible in accommodating changing schedules or something for you potentially?In terms of maintenance loans, I'd note that currently the way these are set up, they are written off 40 years after you take them out, you only make repayments if earning over a given threshold (and only an amount proportional to your income) and those repayments are usually just managed by your company payroll and taken directly from your paycheque with NI contributions and income tax so it's not usually something that directly impacts you.
Therefore if you do end up doing a full bachelors degree where you can get maintenance loans, you may want to consider taking out the maintenance loan anyway, and if you really don't need the extra amount to cover course related expenses and your personal living costs, you could invest it in something with better yields than the interest rate, or save it up for a deposit to buy property or similar. Might be something to look at
(edited 11 months ago)
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