mature students training in physiotherapy

[Ironmike]

I am at the end of my second year of physio now (aged 33). For me, I had done a degree previously, and as I had a 2:1 from that could apply straight to the course. If you don't meet the entrance requirements, you might have to either do A level sciences, or as is more likely, a year long access to healthcare course. The best way to ascertain what the entrance requirements are is to e-mail the universities you are interested in directly and ask. Within my year of 60 ish students, I would say that around half are mature (over 21), so there are definitely a lot of us older lot going to uni - you won't be alone!

The same loans and grants are available to mature students as first timers. For me, I get a NHS bursary and a student loan (cut rate because of bursary), and this alongside working long hours keeps me afloat - I am in the fitness industry too, personal training and class instructing, so similar background. I've not found it hard being older at all, and actually with a full on course such as this, I have found it a benefit as I don't want to go out and get pissed every night at the student union. That is against the fact that I have to work 15-20 hours a week ontop of uni, which is certainly a challenge, especially when I am doing my 5 week placement blocks and am in hospital 9-5 Monday to Friday.

I would say your first step is to work out where you want to go. Then mail the unis asking what they want. Then you will have an idea about how you can get into those institutions and take it from there. It is very very much doable at any age, you just have to want to do it. Oh yeah, as you have an inside link with hospital, I would go about arranging work experience with the physio departments - this is something that is pretty much a must have for any interviews that you get.

[jagangel]

thank you ironmike - its great to hear from others in a similar situation, and that many mature students do embark on this
i am already in the process of finding out what unis would need me to do and it seems that as my qualifications are over 3 years old i will need to do an access course or open university module - OU is looking best due to being able to continue working and saving money
i am very keen to get work experience so i am looking into those too. lots to do and lots to think about!
hope all is going well for you!

[Ironmike]

I think I had it easy getting in with my degree, although that was about 10 years old when I applied. I guess individual circumstances will change what unis expect of you. Another thing to bear in mind is with the tuition fees rising as of the next entrance cycle, nobody is quite sure about what sort of knock on effect this will have on the number of places at uni and the sort of funding you will get. I know where I am at, they are going to be charging the full £9k, and how much of this the NHS will pick up in these times of austerity is not clear. I certainly think that it will have some sort of knock on effect on both young and old doing physio in the future.

[jagangel]

if you dont mind me asking which uni are you at?
also is there any contact info regarding nhs funding? any people to contact?
im wondering if anyone knows what the tuition fees and bursaries etc will be yet for next year? the unis i have contacted dont seem to want to answer my questions on the cost for 2012, they seem to avoid the question

[Ironmike]

I'm at St George's. The NHS bursary people are the ones who deal with the funding, so I would get in touch with them regarding any plans they might have in terms of the future.

Students Student Bursaries NHS Business Services Authority

Thing is, I suspect they will tell you they just don't know. I don't think it's deliberate, I just think that nobody knows yet what the training situation will be in two years time. I think there are 55 places for 2011 where I am at, down from the 69 that were accepted when I started two years ago. I don't wish to be pessimistic, but I can only see that number continuing it's downward trend as there are already too many unemployed graduates out there, and with the new tuition fees, each place is costing the NHS three times as much to fund as previously. It is this reason that makes me think that you should concentrate on getting as much on your application as possible over the next year in terms of work experience and reasons why they should pick you over others. It might also help to investigate which unis are more mature student friendly. I think at St Georges we have a higher amount of mature students because the uni like a bit more of a mix. Places like Kings for instance seem to be more receptive of AAA 18 year olds, although I'm sure they take some older people in.