Mature student seeking advice on plans...

**Victoria09** · 12-04-2008, 05:14 PM

Re the top up fees- and fees in general, I believe these are means tested aren't they? So because this would be your first degree, you'll be a home student, and (as you say) you were not born with the proverbial silver spoon, you may not have to contribute very much towards them, and you will be eligible for a student loan to cover anything you do have to pay. Anyone care to correct me if I've got it wrong?

**fsa3011** · 13-04-2008, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by chris5656

The inspiration should come from yourself - from the strength of your desire to study medicine. If other people have done it before, then great, but it makes it no more likely that you will succeed. If nobody has done it before and you will be the first, it makes it no less likely that you will succeed....... if you get what im saying: whatever other people have done does not change who you are and what you are capapble of.

Thanks a lot for those words of wisdom, chris. All those counsellors I used to see could not have put it in a more succinct way.

**fsa3011** · 13-04-2008, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Victoria09

Re the top up fees- and fees in general, I believe these are means tested aren't they? So because this would be your first degree, you'll be a home student, and (as you say) you were not born with the proverbial silver spoon, you may not have to contribute very much towards them, and you will be eligible for a student loan to cover anything you do have to pay. Anyone care to correct me if I've got it wrong?

The maintenance grants from the LEA are indeed means tested atm and presumably they will stay that way. I imagine universities will be offering larger bursaries to those eligible for the full LEA grant as well. It just means I will probably have a larger loan to pay back than I currently estimated...

Oh well, I'll let future-me worry about that when I am about to get a mortgage.

Thanks, victoria.

**jodiekeyz** · 13-04-2008, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Imhotep

I'd agree that fees are likely to be more expensive in a few years time, but I doubt the cap will be abolished altogether (although I don't think we can say for sure since it isn't certain what sort of government we'll end up with after the next election - and neither of the likely candidates seems to be indicating which way they would go).

The current variable fees were capped at £3000 (+ inflation increases) for the life of the parliament, which means in theory it could be completely removed and a fees free-for-all ensue after the next general election. Then universities could operate like a true market and I'd guess, in a high-demand subject like medicine, price quite a few people who would be great doctors out of the market.

The fee cap will probably form part of the 2009 review of higher education funding and, for political reasons, is likely to remain, although at a higher level (some universities seem to be calling for the cap to be increased to £8,000).

Stephen

The bit of info you have provided that i have highlighted in bold, could you please provide some evidence to back up that statement or are you making it up as you go along? £8k i don't think so! i could potentially see it going to £5K. For someone like me (2009 mature student - hopefully) i could swallow £5k easily but then it gets a little tough for me..

**chris5656** · 13-04-2008, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by fsa3011

Thanks a lot.

No worries. For the record, I wasnt having a go at you earlier on, just trying to help.

Good luck with your application!

**bms1llw** · 14-04-2008, 12:00 PM

Re: fees going up to £8K, the BBC mentions is in this article, however *fingers crossed* it seems unlikely... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7330231.stm

**jodiekeyz** · 14-04-2008, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by bms1llw

Re: fees going up to £8K, the BBC mentions is in this article, however *fingers crossed* it seems unlikely... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7330231.stm

Cheers bms i was planning on leaving work early so i can get my brain into study mode again however i think that i will stay a little longer just to get all the money i can..

**fsa3011** · 15-04-2008, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Victoria09

Re the top up fees- and fees in general, I believe these are means tested aren't they? So because this would be your first degree, you'll be a home student, and (as you say) you were not born with the proverbial silver spoon, you may not have to contribute very much towards them, and you will be eligible for a student loan to cover anything you do have to pay. Anyone care to correct me if I've got it wrong?

This what St Edmund's College's admissions officer had to say about finances:

'UK students this year have been asked to show our financial department that they have approximately £50,000 at their disposal to cover the cost of their studies here.'

I've asked for more details as to whether this sum can include LEA grants and loans, or if it has to be that much in the bank.....

Home students having to prove finances as such isn't something I came across before....

Scary...

**fsa3011** · 15-04-2008, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by jodiekeyz

Cheers bms i was planning on leaving work early so i can get my brain into study mode again however i think that i will stay a little longer just to get all the money i can..

How are you planning on doing that? A night course? Lots of background reading?

I am only asking because I am trying to plan ahead....I will have to do the same after my two years in employment....

St. Edmunds admissions officer advised me: 'If you are taking a gap and have not done any studying we do advise you to take some form of a course in the year you apply so that your study skills are kept up to date and you are better prepared for University life. A Maths A Level would be a good option or something such as a health care program.'

**jodiekeyz** · 15-04-2008, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by fsa3011

How are you planning on doing that? A night course? Lots of background reading?

I am only asking because I am trying to plan ahead....I will have to do the same after my two years in employment....

St. Edmunds admissions officer advised me: 'If you are taking a gap and have not done any studying we do advise you to take some form of a course in the year you apply so that your study skills are kept up to date and you are better prepared for University life. A Maths A Level would be a good option or something such as a health care program.'

lol fsa i actually have managed to find voluntry work and most of my friends are doctors and i have managed to arrange some shadowing of them on a few days. With regards to reading i am planning on reading A-level and first year medical course texts that have been handed down to me from my mates

Talking to admissions i have been advised that their is no point in taking more a-levels as the ones i have are fine and my degree is recent evidence of study. For me it's more important i show evidence of work experince in a 'caring' field.

good luck