GeologyRocks

Hi Alicia,

 Congratulations on passing the OU science course.  :) 

I'm 32 and started a geology course at Cardiff in 2010.  Just about to start my second year.  The advantage of the course at Cardiff is the common first year, though that is now going to be a common first semester, for all the Earth Science courses.  This means that should you find yourself with a yearning for mineral exploration after having applied for pure geology you can switch courses with no problems.  They also offer an Earth Sciences course, which has a flexible program.

I do not have the A-level grades as all the non-mature students do.  On my UCAS form I did much as you have done now and pointed out what my existing job would bring to my studies.  Cardiff happily accepted me.  Study wise I have found it (reasonably) straightforward.  It seems all my transferable skills from work really are transferable!  I was worried that the younger bunch would be more adept at study than me, but I have found that this really comes down to the individual and having held a job for a long time prior to going to university you find you have the discipline to keep going.

Yes, it can be a little weird on field trips sharing rooms with people who are so much younger.  There are times when I feel a little removed from them but we also have a bunch of mature students on our course and we tend to stick together.

 One key bit of advice, don't live in halls.  With the exception of two mature students I know the rest of us agreed that this is the one thing we shouldn't have done!  Cardiff, despite the campaigning from the mature student group, will not separate out mature students from 18 year olds.  When you are trying to study and pay a mortgage your priorities are different to those who have left home for the first time. I don't begrudge the younger ones their party time, but I did begrudge the disturbance to my studies! 

 Good luck. 

Thanks! A little reassurance is always welcome - it's a big decision to give up a steady income to become a skint student

The more I research, the more I realise there seems to be quite a lot of us 30 somethings taking the plunge.

Cardiff is definitely an option for me, the only slight worry I have is the distance away from home, I'm familiar with Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool but I have never been to Cardiff or Aberdeen before. It's kinda scary for a homebody like me.

Is student accomodation affordable in Cardiff? How are you finding the course? What has the fieldwork been like (if you've done any yet)?

Accomodation prices vary.  I'm in a house share and pay £240 a month plus my share of the bills.  I know others who rent by the week (around £80) and don't have to pay bills.

Fieldwork - plenty!  We spent the week before Easter up on the Isle of Aran.  Also spent day trips to Barry Island, The Big Pitt, Frome Valley and Dolleglli Gold Mine.  Cardiff are very keen on the field trip side of things.  Next month I'm down in Cornwell for two weeks (other branches of Geology are going to the Netherlands) and at the end of my second year I have a five week residential course with a choice of various locations.

Cardiff has the advantages of being a small city with all the plus side of city living.  The crime rate is low.  I have found it really friendly.  Like you I was a little apprehensive, but I'm glad I chose Cardiff now.  Perhaps the best thing to do is pop down and have a look around the place.  Both the University and Earth Sciences do open days.  My tutor is the guy who is in charge of admissions and he is really helpful, though up to his ears in the A-level results right now so might be worth waiting another week until that has all died down.

I'm not in a position to comment on the relative merits of Universities in the north-west, I went to Bristol & Newcastle myself (SW to NE!).

One thing you should be aware of before making the change in career is that most companies that employ geologists ask for a Masters degree or a Phd. Funded options for both exist (although dwindling in number) but this would add a year or four onto your studies. The option does exist with some companies to study a Masters part time over two years whilst working and I think this is a very good option.

I hope I've not put you off, I really don't mean to. I work as a Geotechnical Engineer and I enjoy it. I've been involved in railway work, flood defence work, Crossrail and projects in the Middle East. The variety and travel opportunities have been greater than I previously envisaged.