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[cardiffrob]

At the venerable ago of 55 I've just discovered that I can do a BSc and skip the first 2 years. So, Kingston Uni, A Degree in Aviation Management, a part-time course covering the third year over 24 months.

Problem is that I've never even thought of doing a Degree before and I need to sign up in the next 2 weeks or delay the start until the end of 2024.

Has anyone made this jump? What might I need to do/know/research to get going? I only got the go-ahead yesterday so it's all a bit "last minute".

I'm Welsh, so there might even be some financial help available, but I won't be able to start asking questions until the doors open on Monday.

EEK!

 

[cheb]

Be prepared to be irritated by the feckless youth. I model for a BA art course and the difference in attitude between the mature students and some of the school leavers is massive. Not all the school leavers by any stretch but a sizable minority.

Other than that I can't any other advice, but crack an and do it. It'll keep your brain active.

 

[minimutly]

Eek indeed. I did it some 20 yrs ago, B.Eng in electronics, having done a HNC some 12 yrs previously.
The biggest hurdle for me aside from improving my computer skils to where they needed to be, was the maths element of it. Advanced maths, level 5 and beyond took some serious time and effort for me - if it's something you were good at back in the day then you should be fine, butfor me, I never was any good at it (crap short term memory), so I took to recording the maths lectures, helped me no end.
One of the best things I ever did, and it took me 3 years, since the uni decided it was dropping the course, and I had to mix and match to get the modules I needed, effectively made my own timetable up.
Go for it

 

[minimutly]

Be prepared to be irritated by the feckless youth. I model for a BA art course and the difference in attitude between the mature students and some of the school leavers is massive. Not all the school leavers by any stretch but a sizable minority.

Other than that I can't any other advice, but crack an and do it. It'll keep your brain active.

You "model" for an art course? Now that needs more telling?

 

[cardiffrob]

The original year 2 of the course is the modules that form the groundschool element of a commercial pilots' licence. I'm already an instructor and examiner with 10,000 hours on jets so they say that year 1 and 2 would be somewhat redundant. The first year is mechanical and stuff like scheduling. I've run an airline engineering department and I can weld/rivet and have built my own aeroplane, so year one is covered. Shouldn't be too hard to work through year 3 since it is management studies and self/group projects. I'm currently teaching people to fly jets.

Biggest concern is sorting out the financials and knowing what to expect, having not ever looked into Uni life. Do I need to relearn how to drink Beer?

I like the 'Video' idea, Mutley.

 

[ajlelectronics]

difference in attitude between the mature students and some of the school leavers is massive.

'Twas ever thus.

 

[Maker]

Will the degree get you a better job, that you couldn't get otherwise?

I'd have thought with your experience, a degree is a bit redundant.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I'd have thought with your experience, a degree is a bit redundant.

I would have thought the same....degree is a good door opener when you have zero experience....sound a bit like you should be running the course with your background!

 

[cheb]

You "model" for an art course? Now that needs more telling?

Usually life modeling, i.e. nude. Standing, sitting or lying down, sometimes holding the pose for 30 seconds, other times for 30 minutes. This'll be my fifteenth year I think.

Apart being able to keep still the only other you need is to be drop dead gorgeous. Two things from that come to mind: One is that I have, to quote the tutor, "Cheekbones to die for" and the other is hearing the students being exhorted to "Capture the bulk" by a different tutor.

 

[Cobbler]

I would have thought the same....degree is a good door opener when you have zero experience....sound a bit like you should be running the course with your background!

I agree, but the sense of achievement & satisfaction of doing it would make it worthwhile.

 

[minimutly]

Usually life modeling, i.e. nude. Standing, sitting or lying down, sometimes holding the pose for 30 seconds, other times for 30 minutes. This'll be my fifteenth year I think.

Apart being able to keep still the only other you need is to be drop dead gorgeous. Two things from that come to mind: One is that I have, to quote the tutor, "Cheekbones to die for" and the other is hearing the students being exhorted to "Capture the bulk" by a different tutor.

Are there many art students in the outer Hebridies??

 

[Greeves246]

Is your nickname “ Horse ” by any chance? NO pictures required.

 

[mrsbruce]

Usually life modeling, i.e. nude. Standing, sitting or lying down, sometimes holding the pose for 30 seconds, other times for 30 minutes. This'll be my fifteenth year I think.

Apart being able to keep still the only other you need is to be drop dead gorgeous. Two things from that come to mind: One is that I have, to quote the tutor, "Cheekbones to die for" and the other is hearing the students being exhorted to "Capture the bulk" by a different tutor.

You are remembering that many here have met you?

 

[cheb]

Are there many art students in the outer Hebridies??

Yes, the classes are small.

You are remembering that many here have met you?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[cardiffrob]

Beauty is in the eye of the Beer holder?

 

[OJCar]

OP, so you will be 57 when you finish your studies and possibly with student debt?
I had similar thoughts when I was a little bit younger than you are now and came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it for me.
However if having a degree is important to you - go for it !


BTW
I never knew that was any call for Walruses to model.

 

[Erie Fred]

after all this....will OP get to finally fly the %$#@! plane ?

 

[Screwdriver]

Waste of money unless there's a specific job you're looking at and they require a qualification.

This is a truism for anything other than STEM. The "M" does not stand for management...

 

[roofman]

Grow a beard,live off pot noodles and don't get a wash and you should be fine.

 

[BarrieJ]

Usually life modeling, i.e. nude. Standing, sitting or lying down, sometimes holding the pose for 30 seconds, other times for 30 minutes. This'll be my fifteenth year I think.

Apart being able to keep still the only other you need is to be drop dead gorgeous. Two things from that come to mind: One is that I have, to quote the tutor, "Cheekbones to die for" and the other is hearing the students being exhorted to "Capture the bulk" by a different tutor.

Fair do's to you.
Many, many years ago as an art student, during term time I spent six hours a day, once a week for three years, the other side of the easel.
I found it incredibly challenging, I couldn't draw before going to art college and frankly 50+ years later, I still can't.
We had a range of models, an elderly widowed lady; I think she did it for the money/warmth and the company; she'd eat with us at lunchtime. A middle aged man, I think he was sacked for inappropriate behaviour and a young mum in her late 20's/early 30's. I think she had it in her to be a bit naughty. The models weren't always nude, sometimes they could choose their own costumes. She'd be in high heels, an under breast basque, fishnets and suspenders.
You can just imagine the impact on teenage boys - remembering these were the sixties and the only access to semi/naked women for most boys was the underwear/lingerie section of Freeman's Mail Order catalogue or the likes of Fiesta handed down by older brothers, etc.
I don't think I'd seen a totally naked woman before going to art college, not quite got over it yet.