Worth self-funding for a second degree (Architecture)/going back to uni at 25?
I studied my bachelors in a subject with no direct career path and got a 2:1 from a reputable university. However I have been struggling to get jobs for the past 4 years that isn't entry level (for reference I am on £23400/year) and I have not had any success finding roles that would get me higher than this payband. Current job is admin and not something I wish to be doing forever.
I am turning 25 this year.
Working has made me realise that would love to do Architecture due to my passion for drawing from a young age.
I regularly attend art galleries and museums. I sometimes draw architecture/urban places outside in cafes/streets/parks - I've had compliments on my urban and architectural art/portfolio from complete strangers, curators, random art teachers (not just family, friends, colleagues). I got an A* in Fine Art. The reason I never pursued it was because I was under the misconception Architecture had a heavy mathematical element and this was never my strong suit (got a B in GCSE, didn't do it for A Level). How wrong I was since speaking to many Architecture students.
However, SFE informed I cannot get a second degree tuition fee funding for this course but my I could get a maintenance loan.
So, I would have to self-fund tuition fees and this means using all my savings and still working part-time if I did the course.
Also Architecture is a long process - it takes 7 years to qualify. I would be in my early 30s by then and I feel this may make me less attractive compared to younger graduates. Is it worth it using literally all my savings to self-fund this course and going back to university?
I am turning 25 this year.
Working has made me realise that would love to do Architecture due to my passion for drawing from a young age.
I regularly attend art galleries and museums. I sometimes draw architecture/urban places outside in cafes/streets/parks - I've had compliments on my urban and architectural art/portfolio from complete strangers, curators, random art teachers (not just family, friends, colleagues). I got an A* in Fine Art. The reason I never pursued it was because I was under the misconception Architecture had a heavy mathematical element and this was never my strong suit (got a B in GCSE, didn't do it for A Level). How wrong I was since speaking to many Architecture students.
However, SFE informed I cannot get a second degree tuition fee funding for this course but my I could get a maintenance loan.
So, I would have to self-fund tuition fees and this means using all my savings and still working part-time if I did the course.
Also Architecture is a long process - it takes 7 years to qualify. I would be in my early 30s by then and I feel this may make me less attractive compared to younger graduates. Is it worth it using literally all my savings to self-fund this course and going back to university?
Reply 1
If you haven’t already then it may be worth approaching some architecture studios about entry level positions with them to see if any would be interested in sponsoring you to qualify as an architect through the studio route: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/architecture/riba-studio
Reply 2
Original post
by ShenliaI studied my bachelors in a subject with no direct career path and got a 2:1 from a reputable university. However I have been struggling to get jobs for the past 4 years that isn't entry level (for reference I am on £23400/year) and I have not had any success finding roles that would get me higher than this payband. Current job is admin and not something I wish to be doing forever.
I am turning 25 this year.
Working has made me realise that would love to do Architecture due to my passion for drawing from a young age.
I regularly attend art galleries and museums. I sometimes draw architecture/urban places outside in cafes/streets/parks - I've had compliments on my urban and architectural art/portfolio from complete strangers, curators, random art teachers (not just family, friends, colleagues). I got an A* in Fine Art. The reason I never pursued it was because I was under the misconception Architecture had a heavy mathematical element and this was never my strong suit (got a B in GCSE, didn't do it for A Level). How wrong I was since speaking to many Architecture students.
However, SFE informed I cannot get a second degree tuition fee funding for this course but my I could get a maintenance loan.
So, I would have to self-fund tuition fees and this means using all my savings and still working part-time if I did the course.
Also Architecture is a long process - it takes 7 years to qualify. I would be in my early 30s by then and I feel this may make me less attractive compared to younger graduates. Is it worth it using literally all my savings to self-fund this course and going back to university?
I am turning 25 this year.
Working has made me realise that would love to do Architecture due to my passion for drawing from a young age.
I regularly attend art galleries and museums. I sometimes draw architecture/urban places outside in cafes/streets/parks - I've had compliments on my urban and architectural art/portfolio from complete strangers, curators, random art teachers (not just family, friends, colleagues). I got an A* in Fine Art. The reason I never pursued it was because I was under the misconception Architecture had a heavy mathematical element and this was never my strong suit (got a B in GCSE, didn't do it for A Level). How wrong I was since speaking to many Architecture students.
However, SFE informed I cannot get a second degree tuition fee funding for this course but my I could get a maintenance loan.
So, I would have to self-fund tuition fees and this means using all my savings and still working part-time if I did the course.
Also Architecture is a long process - it takes 7 years to qualify. I would be in my early 30s by then and I feel this may make me less attractive compared to younger graduates. Is it worth it using literally all my savings to self-fund this course and going back to university?
Architectural profession is a really long way that requires a postgraduate architectural degree to qualify, it is a worldwide requirement.
There are "youngsters" going to postgraduate studies right after their bachelor's. But there are also a lot of them doing gap years (years! not singular), either as "interns" or non-archectural postgraduate studies, before returning to architectural postgraduate degree. The world renowned architect I M Pei who designed the pyramid entrance to the Louvre, got BArch in 1940 (at 27, he started at 23) and MArch in 1946 (he was then 33):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._M._Pei
Probably they all want some bombards from their living experiences before continuing the journey. So you will not be exceptionally old. You just already got the life experiences before starting the journey.
Keep On with your aspiration. Good Luck!
Reply 3
Original post
by GhjknkmnCan you use Maintenance loan to pay tuition fee?
Probably not
Reply 4
OP - Considering that there are architecture graduates who have no job or are on min wage, I don’t think doing a degree in it will increase your chances in securing a career that isn’t entry level or a low wage job.
Reply 5
Original post
by GhjknkmnCan you use Maintenance loan to pay tuition fee?
You can spend your maintenance loan on anything you want including tuition fees.
It would leave very little to cover living costs though.
Reply 6
Hi there,
Just thought I would mention that there are related postgraduate options that might align with your interests and could be more financially viable.
For example, you might want to explore conversion-style postgraduate courses like Urban Design, Urban Planning, Cities or Urban Studies. These fields draw on creative, spatial, and analytical thinking and they often welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, especially those with strong portfolios and relevant interests. Plus, because they’re postgraduate-level, you’d usually still be eligible for a student loan to cover tuition, avoiding the need to fully self-fund.
Here are a couple of examples we offer at LJMU (other universities will have similar options too):
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduates/2025/35416-urban-design-ma
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduates/2025/36950-cities-ma
These types of courses could allow you to build a career in the built environment, public space design, or urban policy — all while making use of your artistic background and interest in places and communities.
MArch courses will require a bachelors in Architecture, but there’s definitely more than one route into a creative career related to the built environment.
Hope this gives you something to think about, and wishing you all the best in whichever direction you choose.
Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Rep)
Just thought I would mention that there are related postgraduate options that might align with your interests and could be more financially viable.
For example, you might want to explore conversion-style postgraduate courses like Urban Design, Urban Planning, Cities or Urban Studies. These fields draw on creative, spatial, and analytical thinking and they often welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, especially those with strong portfolios and relevant interests. Plus, because they’re postgraduate-level, you’d usually still be eligible for a student loan to cover tuition, avoiding the need to fully self-fund.
Here are a couple of examples we offer at LJMU (other universities will have similar options too):
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduates/2025/35416-urban-design-ma
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduates/2025/36950-cities-ma
These types of courses could allow you to build a career in the built environment, public space design, or urban policy — all while making use of your artistic background and interest in places and communities.
MArch courses will require a bachelors in Architecture, but there’s definitely more than one route into a creative career related to the built environment.
Hope this gives you something to think about, and wishing you all the best in whichever direction you choose.
Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Rep)
(edited 5 months ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Studying Architecture but not the strongest at Mathematics
- What should I do for my Alevels?
- Second degree
- Dropping out of Uni to pursue a different course - mech eng
- Student finance entitlement if already used 2 years worth
- Master's of Architecture Maintenance funding
- Returning to University, how can I finance it?
- Second degree SFE funding for Physiotherapy degree (Allied Health Profession)
- Graphic design or Architecture
- SFE funding for another course
- Starting at the Open University
- Student Finance England pulled funding leaving boyfriend in debt
- Second Degree Funding
- Getting funding for a second degree in Psychology
- Considering switching unis after one year
- Funding options
- Optom graduate, no pre reg, how do I get back into optom
- Degree nightmare - student finance advice needed
- HUGE uni dilemma pls help
- Complex Paramedic Science Degree Query
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 days ago
Architecture at the University of York [UPDATE]Last reply 4 months ago
UWE Bristol VS Oxford Brookes for Urban/Spatial Planning?Last reply 4 months ago
Which university is better when we compare LSBU with UELLast reply 4 months ago
Is there chance i get into the bartlett with these?Last reply 5 months ago
Cardiff, Edinburgh, Sheffield or Manchester for architecture 2025?Last reply 5 months ago
Would i get accepted into the universities i chose with these grades?Last reply 5 months ago
Worth self-funding for a second degree (Architecture)/going back to uni at 25?Last reply 6 months ago
Is it realistic to study architecture in london and have a part time job??Last reply 6 months ago
UCL, UAL or Liverpool for architecture 2025Last reply 6 months ago
UCL Bartlett vs UAL CSM for Architecture – Which One?Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
