I want to take my degree but with part time studies as i'm not a kid anymore and i've my full time job.

i realised that years go quickly and by now i should have done smth more than just working.i like architecture,medicine,arts.where do i start from?when should i apply?is it already too late?i heard about portfolios,foundation years,...but i really don't know anything about how schools work here in England.i am quite a lazy person unfortunatelly,but people say very intuitive.i think i have to do it,but i need some advices from some of you who know how it goes.i was going to study painting or photography this year but i realised that it was just a choice made because many people do it and it seems pretty easy.please help!thanks a bunch:)!

I have been studying with the Open University for the last five years and would definitely recommend it. I've been able to combine part-time study with my full-time job, pay module-to-module (grants are also available) and in a couple more years, will have a professional BA Hons degree. The only setbacks I can think of are the fact that you do need to be quite self-motivated and able to get on with work alone, although some units organise tutorials and seminars you can attend. A good place to start might be a Level 1 Unit called 'Introduction to the Humanities'. It gives you an overview which can help you determine which subject areas interest you most, and includes art history. I studied it and loved it!

Check out www.open.ac.uk. You can also get help about choosing what is right for you.

painting and photography are not easy. you have to be really talented, and have a lot of motivation ...
why don't you try going to school that is related to the job you have ... that could be good, because after you get a degree, you'll have some valuable work experience too, so it will be easier to get a good job, and you won't have to start from a scratch ...
AND!
it's never too late!

Hi! A lot of this depends on where in the UK you live. A great option wherever you live is the Open University-the courses are designed for people with jobs or studying elsewhere. Check out www.open.ac.uk for a full course list and info on applying. The courses start at different times of year, though the majority start in spring so the deadline for applying tends to be in fall, but this isn't the case for all of them so just have a browse! Alternatively, contact your nearest universities. If you live in London, the University of Westminster and University of East London have extensive part-time study options, but most universities have courses specifically for part-time students. Depending on the subjects you are interested, contact universities that offer those courses and ask them about part-time study options.
However I really do recommend Open University...I've done two courses while still at school, in Music and Philosophy, and my dad's done several Maths and Engineering courses alongside work, and we both did really well and it was fun, and the best bit is you can decide when you study, as long as you meet assignment deadlines. And they offer SO many different courses!
Good luck!

it is will be difficult to chose if you self still confuse about your future, just decided by your self, what do you like? what do you want for your future?
if you ask everybody in this forum they will have different opinion and that will make you more confuse.. so the best thing is think with your heart, and your thought(head) not just by your emotion, because it will ruin everything and you will get bore so fast.
Just decide it first, what do you like most? then check the job field for that, and then check for the scholl cost..
Iam not live at england so sorry i don't know how it goes in england.
good luck

The best place to look is on ucas.co.uk that deals with all higher education courses and you can usually apply on line as well.

Try the open university,they have a wide selection of certificates, diplomas,and degrees and flexible degrees, that are highly sought after qualifications. They are tailored for people just like you. Also if u earn under 25 grand you may qualify to get your fees paid or funding .You study from home aswell, part time with oppitional tutorials once a fortnight. i am currently studying with them and find them great. as it is easy to fit studying into your own lifestyle, as u can study any time you want as long as u meet the deadlines :) ps its never to late i am 26 and was one of the youngest, with the age ranging from 18 up to 55 and older, You should check out the course Humanities as it sounds like u might like it.

If you give these guys a call and ask them for a general prospectus with all their part time degrees.

Open University - 0870 333 4340

They're the biggest part time university in the UK and you can study from home in a lot of cases. Plus you don't have to do one specific subject area, you can get a degree which covers several different subjects.

The website is www.open.ac.uk/courses

Really helpful bunch of folks.

Look for an introduction course at your local college... maybe something like a National Certificate in photography, or art and design - then you can go on to HNC, and then HND - these qualifications will usually qualify you to get you on to the second year of a university degree if you really want to go that far.

Don't waste your life doing subjects you have absolutely no interest in - I done that for several years before dropping out to start all over again. It's not worth doing something just for any old job - you have to follow your heart - then you are more likely to complete things and succeed in life when you do what you really enjoy.

There are usually some kind of bursary's or student loans that you can apply for to help with the costs. So don't let lack of money hold you back from improving yourself. The college will be able to offer you better advice on how and where you should apply for it. Just get in touch with them and ask for a prospectus. The next college term starts in a few months time, so don't wait for too long. Good luck. :-)

this might give you an idea, http://www.newman.ac.uk/courses/Foundati...

don't suppose you live in Birmingham, but a lot of universities rely on distance learning for their bread and butter these days. So try ones in your area and see if you fancy what they offer, rather than trying to choose first. Art isn't all that easy, and photography can be surprisingly difficult, you really could do with making certain you have an aptitude before you go further,

Education is too late? I will bet not...you know what? My grandmother got her GED at the age of 65( lolzz ) .. and my grandfather has tried to learn English for citizenship..and he just passed to be U.S citizen at the age of 67.

Never too late lolzz..Im just 17 but I would bet you can do it...anyway, I know there is weekend courses for people who are so busy as you...I saw it at my college...you can try it...

good luck

If you think you want to try an arts based degree, a foundation studies year is meant to help you determine what area of art or design you would like to enter into -If you want to enter one at all. Foundation courses can differ slightly, but as you have a broad focus, try and look for a foundation year that will allow you to try lots of different things before specialising.

To get onto one of these courses you will most likely need a portfolio of work -for which you should just aim to show a decent level of ability/ thought behind your work -including as many different disciplines as possible. Keep things relatively consistent throughout it (landscape or portrait, mounted on same colour paper), and be able to talk about the work with confidence.

If you are looking at other areas for a degree (you mentioned medicine), you may want to take the Stamford test on the ucas website:
http://www.ucas.com/
which will come up with a broad range of subjects that interest you and where you can study them.

If you think that you may not have the necessary qualifications to study a particular subject, then you may want to consider taking an access course, which you can find out about here:
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/courses/getti...

Good Luck!

If you live in/near London try phoning Birkbeck College; it is an integral college of London University which specialises in part time degrees.
You may well be able to enroll on a degree course for the coming year if you have university entrance requirements as many/most part time degrees are not part of the UCAS system. If you have not already got entrance qualifications phone your local FE college and ask about Access courses. These are designed for 'mature' students who want to go to university but do not have formal entrance grades.
Some universities have a graded part time system where you gain qualifications as you go along, eg the first part gives you a certificate, the second a diploma and the third the degree.

Also, try your local careers office. They help adults as well as youngsters!

It all depends on where you live and even what type of job you do. If it's a job you are really interested in then perhaps your firm can help direct you, after all it will be in their interests. Most large companies will assist employees with personal development and may even contribute to the cost. However, if this is not the case open university may be the best answer as then you can study in your own free time. I think you really need to think about what it is you want to do, really do and go from there. Talk it over with someone you can trust will give you good advice.