I'm mostly set on going to university this year come September, but I'm not sure if it's the sensible choice.
My initial decision came from sticking out minimum wage work for a bit and deciding "this is bullshit", so I'm looking to go study Engineering. I've been spending the year getting the required maths qualifications (and finding out I'm actually not bad at maths when I apply myself (I even enjoy it)) so I'm all set for it and have offers.
Is it a sensible choice? I'm 27 now, I want to have something for myself when I'm 30 and I figure a useful degree would be a good start. I've considered trying to get promoted up the chain in something (or even my current part time fast food job) but thinking about it I'd probably take as long to manage that as I would take in getting myself a degree - but with none of the international recognition a useful degree could give me. Or job satisfaction. Or anything really, aside from an income.
Ultimately I'm interested in getting a degree because education makes me fulfilled, and because it could offer more of an escape route if the UK continues descending into a Tory hellscape. Even just seeing the uni fees compared to when I had finished my A-Levels is unnerving.
Realistically though are there other options I could explore before I start finalising plans?
Don't do Engineering! Already Chinese occupy half of positions and they are pumping out 200k graduates a year more than they need. You will find your time and money wasted, I am afraid. Source: half my mates are engineers.
Do a degree, sure but go for a humanities or science subject that really interests you. And look to study in Europe. The fees range from 500 quid a term to you actually being paid to study there. Courses taught in English, obviously.
>Realistically though are there other options I could explore before I start finalising plans?
Once upon a time I would've said the OU but from what I read its a bit of a shambles these days.
It sounds like you have a good mindset for academia anyway. You want to learn about the subject and study it for its own sake so I wouldn't be messing about with rail-road courses. Enjoy your 3 years getting up at whatever time you feel like on Mondays.
Eh? My understanding is that whilst you might be able to skip tuition fees entirely the catch is that you can't claim maintenance loan and I've not heard of anywhere that will pay you an equivalent.
In fact at least Sweden now requires you to prove that you have the funds to support yourself because they kept getting students who couldn't afford food.
Balls to that ladm8. Engineering graduates have the third highest lifetime earnings, behind economics and medicine graduates. China and India are producing a lot of engineers, but they're generally poor engineers with poor communication skills.
Do the engineering degree, but also take enrichment classes in creative writing and public speaking. Competent engineers who can communicate effectively are rare and valuable.
Considering China and India compose a third of the world population I think it's more than just Engineering grads that should worry about their jobs if they were to be a threat.
What's the alternative anyway? Just give up on education and work in a big Chinese owned and run factory as we welcome our new slanty eyed overlords?