Hey all.
I know that I'm the only one that can make this decision, but I've been agonising over it for a while now and I just can't decide what's best.
I'm 35 and just completed an access course after being out of education since I was 17. I passed with flying colours, somehow, and I have a place confirmed at uni to study cell and molecular biology.
I have some savings I can use to help keep the bills paid, and my full allowance for living costs in terms of student finance, (Scotland), comes to £11,400 per year. As far as I can find out, I'm not eligible for any other support, though there may be something I've missed.
I've done some numbers and, in the unlikely event that the cost of living and insurance premiums etc. miraculously don't increase, I never have to see an optician or a dentist, my pets don't need to see the vet, nothing goes wrong with my house or car, I never have anything vaguely resembling a holiday or social occasion, etc., then I'll just, just manage to finish the course before I risk becoming homeless.
I've always wanted to go to uni and don't want to pass the opportunity up. At the same time, I'll be sinking all my money and taking on £45k of debt just to keep a roof over my head. I could get a part-time job, but I live rurally and the market isn't fantastic. I'm also concerned about ongoing prospects - I'm studying cell biology because I want a career in biological science, but the numbers I've found seem to indicate that only around 17% of graduates are able to do so. I likely won't be able to afford to do a masters after, and my concern is that if I'm going to end up working a generic office job anyway, does it not make more sense to not go to uni, keep what I have in the bank and not take on debt?
Is there an element I'm missing here? It's possible, but will be tough, and I just don't know what to do. What would you do in my shoes? Is university worth it for me? I was so happy and excited when I got my place, but I'm starting to struggle to see the return on investment here.
Any advice would be very gratefully received, thank you.
Cat tax added!