What to do next?

[TVR653X]

As some people know, I was looking for a career in motorsport, as I left my music degree. I managed to find a place on a Motorsport Engineering National Diploma, and started the course, albeit a bit late, but I was catching up. I was initially told that course fees were around £600 a year, as I was over 19 and already had a Level 3 National Diploma (in music). This was ok, and I was busy getting the money together. After a week of attending lessons, I was told that a funding pathway has been closed since the start of the course in September, meaning that those with Level 3 quals or above, who enrolled in September, only had to pay the £600/year, but I would have to pay £3999 a year.

Does anyone else think this is ridiculous? It doesn't cost 4 grand to teach me, surely? My tutors are seriously annoyed too, and looking into any loans/grants/bursaries that are available.

Does anyone know what I can do?

[tegwin]

Did you sign any contract, or have in writing what you would/should be charged..

If you entered into an agreement, they cant just change it...

[G_T]

(Suggest mods move this to employment?)

Bloody hell that's steep.

By contast university courses cost circa £1400 a year. Even medicine will only set you back £3000 a year. Both of which offer interest free loans and other forms of support.

Can you not get yourself into a university course perhaps?

[MAC ATTAK]

My mate has already paid out over £3000 to train to be a sparky.... and he is only halfway through!

[TVR653X]

tegwin said:

Did you sign any contract, or have in writing what you would/should be charged..

If you entered into an agreement, they cant just change it...

I got a sheet with the costs on it, but didn't sign anything.

[i remember]

TVR653X said:

tegwin said:

Did you sign any contract, or have in writing what you would/should be charged..

If you entered into an agreement, they cant just change it...

I got a sheet with the costs on it, but didn't sign anything.

My HNC in electrical engineering costs a whisker over 1k , you sir have been ripped the fk off

[TVR653X]

i remember said:

TVR653X said:

tegwin said:

Did you sign any contract, or have in writing what you would/should be charged..

If you entered into an agreement, they cant just change it...

I got a sheet with the costs on it, but didn't sign anything.

My HNC in electrical engineering costs a whisker over 1k , you sir have been ripped the fk off

I've not paid yet! Can you do a HNC in Motorsport Engineering?

[hardcorehobbit]

G_T said:

(Suggest mods move this to employment?)

Bloody hell that's steep.

By contast university courses cost circa £1400 a year. Even medicine will only set you back £3000 a year. Both of which offer interest free loans and other forms of support.

Can you not get yourself into a university course perhaps?

Up until 2005 yes. Now though, the average fee per year for every course is about £3k. Medicine and VetMed up to 7K a year.


There are loans available, but I wouldn't want to be applying now, some people still haven't got their money after applying in April.

[Techn0]

£4k for a HNC?!?!?! Sounds a bit steep to me.

Have you thought about a foundation degree in engineering?

2 years for the foundation then 1 year top up for the honours degree.

[TVR653X]

Techn0 said:

£4k for a HNC?!?!?! Sounds a bit steep to me.

Have you thought about a foundation degree in engineering?

2 years for the foundation then 1 year top up for the honours degree.

I have thought about it, but I don't know if my background will get me on the course, my National Diploma is in Music.

[Techn0]

TVR653X said:

Techn0 said:

£4k for a HNC?!?!?! Sounds a bit steep to me.

Have you thought about a foundation degree in engineering?

2 years for the foundation then 1 year top up for the honours degree.

I have thought about it, but I don't know if my background will get me on the course, my National Diploma is in Music.

The course is normally geared for mature students, so entry requirements are minimal, IE you just have to blag it and show a real interest. Your problem on finding another course is they might be too far into the work at this point for you to catch up.

You'll get full funding as well(government backed student loan)

[TVR653X]

Techn0 said:

TVR653X said:

Techn0 said:

£4k for a HNC?!?!?! Sounds a bit steep to me.

Have you thought about a foundation degree in engineering?

2 years for the foundation then 1 year top up for the honours degree.

I have thought about it, but I don't know if my background will get me on the course, my National Diploma is in Music.

The course is normally geared for mature students, so entry requirements are minimal, IE you just have to blag it and show a real interest. Your problem on finding another course is they might be too far into the work at this point for you to catch up.

You'll get full funding as well(government backed student loan)

That's fine. I'll just work another year and spend my spare time helping out at Ginetta. That should see it right that I learn a fair bit about cars. Still not found out if I can get a grant for the National Diploma, so I'm waiting, and hoping. :-/

[G_T]

hardcorehobbit said:

G_T said:

(Suggest mods move this to employment?)

Bloody hell that's steep.

By contast university courses cost circa £1400 a year. Even medicine will only set you back £3000 a year. Both of which offer interest free loans and other forms of support.

Can you not get yourself into a university course perhaps?

Up until 2005 yes. Now though, the average fee per year for every course is about £3k. Medicine and VetMed up to 7K a year.


There are loans available, but I wouldn't want to be applying now, some people still haven't got their money after applying in April.

That isn't true.

I've just applied for my second medical degree. Fees are priced at £3040, ~£1400 with student support. The average fee is still ~£1400 as it has been for years. And for the record I was in university from 2005-2008 and I never paid anywhere near £3000.

Where are on Earth are you getting those numbers from?

Edited by G_T on Monday 16th November 10:52

[TVR653X]

G_T said:

hardcorehobbit said:

G_T said:

(Suggest mods move this to employment?)

Bloody hell that's steep.

By contast university courses cost circa £1400 a year. Even medicine will only set you back £3000 a year. Both of which offer interest free loans and other forms of support.

Can you not get yourself into a university course perhaps?

Up until 2005 yes. Now though, the average fee per year for every course is about £3k. Medicine and VetMed up to 7K a year.


There are loans available, but I wouldn't want to be applying now, some people still haven't got their money after applying in April.

That isn't true.

I've just applied for my second medical degree. Fees are priced at £3040, ~£1400 with student support. The average fee is still ~£1400 as it has been for years. And for the record I was in university from 2005-2008 and I never paid anywhere near £3000.

Where are on Earth are you getting those numbers from?

Edited by G_T on Monday 16th November 10:52

I was going to be charged over £3000 a year in tuition fees at Leeds College Of Music.

[G_T]

TVR653X said:

I was going to be charged over £3000 a year in tuition fees at Leeds College Of Music.

Actually there definately has been a change (apologies hardcorehobbit). Some university's are still charging £1400-£1800 though (Dundee University for example) but I was definately mistaken as £3000 seems to be a more regularly appearing figure.

Medicine is still priced at £3000 at most universities though I assume this is because it is partially subsidised.

Perhaps you could "shop around"? £3000 a year still represents good value if you get yourself a decent engineering degree.

Alternatively go and do a nursing degree. It's subsidised!

Edited by G_T on Monday 16th November 11:40

[TVR653X]

Hmmm, I could do the first year of the Diploma, then apply for a Motorsport Engineering foundation degree? What do you guys reckon?