Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, my name is Jonny, I'm 35 and I was diagnosed with ASD at the end of last year.
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with applying for a second degree, specifically in obtaining the funding without any private financial backing?
I graduated from university in 2012 with a degree in illustration, but I was unable to make it work for me, and ended up spending the next ten years working in various roles for the NHS. I'm currently unemployed after the mental health crisis that led to my diagnosis, and I'm trying to use this time to learn computer programming in order to build a career when I eventually return to work.
I'd love to return to university and study computer science in more depth than I can manage on my own, but is that a realistic aim, considering I have no savings and I have already used up my student loan entitlement?
Any experience or useful information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
My employer (NHS hospital department) paid for my second degree, I did it as an apprenticeship. They are also paying the fee for my Masters equivalence certificate and they can also apply to NHS England to fund Doctorate students. If it’s not too much of an overload I definitely recommend apprenticeship style degrees. Fully funded, you’re paid a wage and no student loan debt afterwards. I still have quite a lot left to pay on the student loan from my first degree from 21 years ago