How old is too old to go to university?

[carter711]

Im 23 and thinking the career im in (banking) isn't for me.
If i were to leave and go to uni next year to study something i have real interest in (automotive design) i would be 24, be there for 3 years and leave at 27.
Is this too old?
I don't feel old!

Has anybody gone to uni later than their friends? How did it work?

[furtive]

My SiL's partner is at university at the moment. He is 40 (pensioned out of the Navy)

[Fidgits]

dont be daft.

I know someone who went back to Uni in his 40's...

I didn't go until I was 21 and fit in fine.. so 23 you should have no problems..

[ewenm]

You'll make more friends there anyway. If you want to go to study something, just do it.

[anonymous-user]

No it's not too old, do it!

Plenty of people spend their 20s buggering about and travelling so your CV will still look better than many of your colleagues.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 13th August 16:53

[maxrider]

Woman I worked with (she was the Marketing Manager) went back to uni to retrain as a primary school teacher, she's just qualified and started her first teaching job aged 39.

[sean19]

NO WAY - I have just finished a course in uni where there were people in their late 40's.
Im assumin that that may be a little old for living in student blocks mind.............. or perhaps not!

[Saskia7]

carter711 said:

Im 23 and thinking the career im in (banking) isn't for me.
If i were to leave and go to uni next year to study something i have real interest in (automotive design) i would be 24, be there for 3 years and leave at 27.
Is this too old?
I don't feel old!

Has anybody gone to uni later than their friends? How did it work?

I don't think it's too old at all. When I was at University, there were quite a few people a lot older than me. I think at 23 you are more than able to change careers by doing automotive design. Go for it. Good luck.

[Fidgits]

sean19 said:

NO WAY - I have just finished a course in uni where there were people in their late 40's.
Im assumin that that may be a little old for living in student blocks mind.............. or perhaps not!

depends on whether they enjoying banging 19 year old fresher girls really

[Jasandjules]

I went at 26. Plenty there far older BUT you need to make sure when you have the degree you are not too old to start in your chosen career.

[rude-boy]

Don't be a soft ste, you can go to uni at any time. Some of the students will think it a bit odd you hanging round with the first years when you are in you late 40's (especially if you are drooling or not a lecturer) but otherwise no issues at all.

• if* I was ever in the position where i never needed to work for a living again i've always said i'd love to do a couple more degrees to keep the mind sharp and the eye satisfied

Edited by rude-boy on Wednesday 13th August 16:57

[TheMaskedAvenger]

you will also find that most establishments with have a mature students program/lounge etc. So not only do you get to meet people on your course etc but also a chance to have conversations with older people that may be a better fit for house sharing etc.

[Penny-lope]

I was 26 and had no problems, except the younger students used to think it was fine to bother me with all their realtionship probs, like I was some bloody agony aunt

[rude-boy]

Penny-lope said:

I was 26 and had no problems, except the younger students used to think it was fine to bother me with all their realtionship probs, like I was some bloody agony aunt

But that is where our oak aged hero can ply his trade, comforting them and showing them how a more mature man can enlighten them to new experiances, tis what uni is all about is it not

He did say he didn't want to do banking anymore

Edited by rude-boy on Wednesday 13th August 17:00

[XXVIII]

My sister went to University when she was 34, qualified with her first degree by the time she was 36, had her Masters degree when she turned 39 and became a PhD just a few weeks ago and is now 44.

When she was 21, she plummeted from 12 stone+ to under 6 stones in less than 7 months and spent the rest of her 20's recovering from almost-dead to actually quite well really...

A well meaning colleague suggested she should try and get a decent qualification for her work prospects.

She's done a bit better than 'just' get more prospects I reckon.

It's never too late to learn and you may find your 'calling' or even your salvation - good luck!

[Heskey]

carter711 said:

Im 23 and thinking the career im in (banking) isn't for me.
If i were to leave and go to uni next year to study something i have real interest in (automotive design) i would be 24, be there for 3 years and leave at 27.
Is this too old?
I don't feel old!

Has anybody gone to uni later than their friends? How did it work?

For the brief few months I was at uni, it was about 70:29:1 split between college leavers/young people : mature students (25-60) : VERY OLD PENSIONERS

You'll be fine.

[Penny-lope]

rude-boy said:

Penny-lope said:

I was 26 and had no problems, except the younger students used to think it was fine to bother me with all their realtionship probs, like I was some bloody agony aunt

But that is where our oak aged hero can ply his trade, comforting them and showing them how a more mature man can enlighten them to new experiances, tis what uni is all about is it not

Denpends if your really want to know all the details of two 17 year olds previous night of drunken 'passion'. Not really my thing, to be honest
Or not back then anyway

[ihatesissycars]

I'll be 31 by the time I get in.

Go for it!

[ludo]

carter711 said:

Im 23 and thinking the career im in (banking) isn't for me.
If i were to leave and go to uni next year to study something i have real interest in (automotive design) i would be 24, be there for 3 years and leave at 27.
Is this too old?
I don't feel old!

Has anybody gone to uni later than their friends? How did it work?

I'd say that was a really good time to go. Presumably you have been in the workplace for a while and are used to hard work and you are likely will be more independent and self-motivated. This is a significant advantage, go for it!

[Ranger 6]

I was 28 and it was one of the best things I ever did. Not for what happened while I was there but the opportunities it gave me later.