Working while studying

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Reply 1

MOBUoS

Official Rep

6

Original post by LouiseC15

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Hi @LouiseC15,

Part-time work is quite common to pick up ehen at university and there are quite a few opportunities to do so. Most universities employ students as ambassadors to support event such as open days and you can often find work at the students' union. The helpful thing about this work is that students are normally on a zero-hour contracts so can more easily fit the work around their study commitments. The financial help you can get would depend on your circumstances and the university you are going to, but many universities offer low income grants and stipends that you can get to help support you financialliy. Have a look at the financial support section on the university's website or speak to the finace stand at an open day to find out details.

Hope this helps
Matthew
Student Ambassador

Reply 2

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post by LouiseC15

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Hiya!

Working full-time while attending university isn’t something most people would recommend, especially if you're enrolled in a full-time course. When you commit to full-time study, it really is a full-time commitment and your studies should always be a top priority.

That said, there are financial options to help students. You can explore what financial support you might be eligible for, such as student loans, bursaries, or scholarships. Have a look at the university webpages, and speak to their finance teams.

Part-time work is generally much more manageable alongside your studies, and during holidays, you can always take on extra hours if you’re not too swamped with assignments.

I hope this helps

-Maddie, Third year Health and Well-being in Society student at De Montfort University

Reply 3

Kingston Zhi En

Official Rep

7

Original post by LouiseC15

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Hi there @LouiseC15, just to add on to Matthew's amazing suggestions, student ambassador jobs tend to pay well and may also offer varied jobs such as helping for open days events, remote work, library or admin jobs which tend to be more flexible to fit along side your existing work schedule! You should definitely check the financial support page HERE to see if you are eligible for any funding. I hope this helps 🤗

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

Reply 4

Chester Student

Official Rep

12

Original post by LouiseC15

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Hi there,

Working full-time while enrolled as a full-time student isn't generally advised, as both are a big commitment. In these cases, you will likely get burnt out quickly and sacrifice the quality of any work or study you do, so it isn't very sustainable.

Have you considered a part-time degree or flexible study options? There are so many paths out there, especially if you are reliant on working full-time for financial reasons.

I think it would be worth talking to someone at OU to discuss your options, and they can also provide advice related to financial help. They will be the most knowledgeable on what is out there that may be suitable for you, and will be your best option for a direct answer to your questions. I've linked their contact page here.

I hope this helps,

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

Reply 5

UCLan_Siobhan

Official Rep

6

Original post by LouiseC15

I’m unsure on what to do, I want to attend open university but I don’t think I would be able to balance it with working nearly 40 hours each week. Would I be able to get any financial help if I was to drop to part time work? Does anyone have an experience with this? Any advice would be helpful

Hey there,

Nice to meet you. My name is Siobhan and I'm a third-year student at the University of Central Lancashire. It’s great to see that you're reaching out and your concern is completely understandable.

I would get in contact with the university finance team and explain your situation to them, as they will be able to tell you if you are eligible for any kind of bursaries and financial support.

The uni may have a career advisor too who can offer you expert advice on the best course of action in terms of working alongside uni and may also help you explore more flexible options.

Working whilst at uni is doable, but you need to consider how heavy your course material is and the contact time you are expected to do. I would have a look at the modules of your course online and email the supervisors about any queries if you are unable to attend the offer holder day.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂

Siobhan (Student Ambassador for the University of Central Lancashire)

Working while studying

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