Just wondering if any of you ladies are doing or have done any of these recently?? Ive got a few questions I would like to ask Thankies xx

I havent but i work in Further Education so if i can help then let me know!

I also work in FE and HE. I've done quite few quals too.

well, I am seriously considering giving up work for year or so out of work to be at home with Cerys. At the same time, while im home, I would like to gain some new qualifications. I have 11 Gcse's and dropped out of my A Levels. Have had a look on the OU website and its mind boggling What sort of qualifications should I be looking at? I also need info on where to go for financial support i.e grants or funding for students with children. I know its a stab in the dark but I just need a pointer in the right direction - grateful for any help xx

For FE, You should be looking for a level 3 or level 4 or even an access course. All colleges get different levels of funding. Call to your local college and speak to student services about financial help. Depending on your finacially situation you could help with childcare etc you might also get an allowance to help you buy books and pay for transport to college. The colleges employ people to advise on courses and finances available. Nows a good time to look into it. Try not to leave it til august as they're mad busy then and student services might not have the time to give you all the support you need.

Hope you get sorted.

thanks chick. I would like to study at home in my own time, so im thinking the OU would be ideal. Will deffo phone the local college though to find about financial support, thanks very much xx

interesting, this is something iv been thinking about too, but my big worry was the fee's i know they can be quite expensive...if you find out anymore feel free to share i just feel like i need to be doing a little more educationwise as i havent done any courses or anything since leo was 2, i think i will lose my brain completley if i dont start doing a little studying soon! cos as soon as oliver reaches school age ill start thinking of applying for uni ect

good luck, hope you find what your looking for x

i'd ring local college hun and ask to speak to career advisor they can assist on what courses are best for you,

it all depends on what you want to do. or have a look on OU webstie and see if there are any open days available so you can go and tlak to someone.

I've just done an OU course. I enjoyed it. The website is a bit confusing. What type of course are you thinking of doing? I'm thinking of going down the sociology/psychology route so started off doing a starting with pyschology course - http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/y183.htm. This is 10points, the smallest you can do. I also plan to do the understanding society course, also 10points - http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/y177.htm. Then move onto the bigger courses. Intro to social science (60point course, but can't be taken in two 30points courses) - http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/dd101.htm

Not sure if thats any help but thought it would give you an example of courses. The bigger the course the higher the points and to get a degree you need 360point I believe.

I got all my course paid for me and should get the other courses paid as well. This is because I recieved one the 'qualifying benefits' (housing benefit). There is also a calculator to work out how much you could get to help you pay - http://css2.open.ac.uk/fafcalculator/eligibility.aspx

Might be worth phoning them as well as they were very helpful to me on the phone and sent me lots of prospectus' so i could choose a course. The application form and financial support form is in the back of these and easy to fill out.

Let me know if you need to know anything else, i might be able to help xx

well ive looked at the OU website and they have loads of more interesting stuff. From what I can make out, I would be doing an Access course. Which in itself is a recognised qualification (like an A Level but done in a year). Once gained, this gives you the oppurtunity to go into Higher Ed. Gemz, from what i can gather, I may be able to get funds towards the fees because im a parent (but thats from the Welsh Assembly, so dont know about England) You would deffo get help as a single parent. I am looking at doing studies in Law and/or Psychology and/or English and/or Social sciences. Gemz, the website www.direct.gov.uk will be able to advise on what you may be entitled to. As far as CTC and WTC are concerned I think going to the HM Revenue website could advise on other benefits - havent got that far yet xx

i am thinking about this too, although i have a fairly useless MA i feel like my brain is losing capacity!!! i also feel like i dont do much 'for me', and need something that doesn't involve needing childcare so i will be looking at ou too

ahhh thanks very much Shell !!! thats explained it a bit better for me Will deffo look into financial support before I do anything else. Much appreciated

For the other ladies considering doing the same, I found this . . .

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm