Im finding myself in a deep financial difficulty

[LazyNinja]

Even though I've been in the UK for nearly 8 years, Im still classed as an international student with me not born here and such. The university I was going to go to wants me to pay £16k in tuition fee, per year, or I risk losing my offer. Obviously that's silly amount of money and I cant afford it. Bursaries and stuff are only available to home students and I cant take out a loan either it'd break my family. Selling all my gear would only get me about £2k too. Tried all the local education authorities but their responses are usually in the gist of "tough sh!t". Ive been through local state high schools and a college and I still dont get a chance to study. Im really gutted I dont really know why Im tellin you guys about it but I just needed to get it off my chest somehow and I didnt want to tell my mates coz theyd worry about me and I dont want them to start treating me differently. Thanks for reading.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Consider open university or some other distance learning
Takes longer - but may be the only option

[maverickf1jockey]

Bloody New Labour...
That's why I plan to jump the boat come University and study music in Scotland or something.
I refuse to pay those rates and I couldn't if I wanted to.
I feel for you, seriously.

[Machek]

Wow, I feel for you too mate.
Being a student myself, and not living at my parent's I allow myself to answer...

Have you ever considered moving?
Well I don't wanna be a pain in the ass with some ill and useless advice,
but you know college in France is mostly free, or way cheaper than in England, plus rent and life is cheaper too....(everytime I go to England prices seem insane to me)....  You could try an Erasmus thing or move by yourself ....

Well that's just my teeny tiny piece of advice,
it's just that I'm a student too, and if I had to pay this amount of money I'd be into deep shite too, because I can't get a bursary either.
I never heard of a college here demanding this kind of money (i think it's outrageous)

Well again it was just my thought as I read your post.
Good luck mate.

[LazyNinja]

Thanks you guys your suggestions are appreciated.

Moving is an option but Im not sure French unis are free for international students. Besides I dont speak French! All GCSE has taught me was asking for directions and ordering food lol.

I dont really want to move out of UK though because I can gain citizenship in about 3 years. Currently I think my best option is to wait 3 years then go or not go. Either way I'll lose my offer that I worked so hard to get. And I would hate being like 22 when everyone around me will be 18/19. Im talking with my former college's vice principal and we're trying to sort summat out. Then Im gonna go talk to a local MP. Im not too hopeful though they probably couldnt care less what happens to an insignificant individual like me  :(

[maverickf1jockey]

Worst case scenario you can get free tuition from Scotland, which is in the UK so you can keep your citizenship.

[Machek]

Well in fact I'm in the most selective french scientific scholar section, I only can inform you on that,
and what i can tell you is that we got student from litterally all across the globe (Brazil, Japan, Maroc, Tunisia, Korea, Eastern Europe...) integrated in our classes.... some don't even speak good french (they've got extra courses to fill the gap)

They sent their files, if you're good enough, you're taken, and then
you come study, the only thing you gotta pay is like 75eur for photocopying, no extra charges, for anyone, even foreigners....

After 2 years like that, you pass some exams for different Engineer Schools and most of 'em, especially the most renowned, are free (or nearly free) and they welcome foreigners without extra charges too I guarantee that, some even got special foreigners-oriented entry exams (french doesn't count)....

It could be an option, but I totally understand that you wanna stay in UK.

[Elliot]

I'd wait three years anyway - you get a lot more out of university education if your older and have learnt that working sucks big time  :D  You also probably know what you want to do, rather than just doing what some idiot teacher has pushed you to do.

[noodleplugerine]

Unlucky man, all I can say is don't rush into any decisions.

[Adam.M]

Honestly dude, just wait.

In the long run, it'll be a far better deal, sure you'll have a job for 3 years whilst your buddies are at uni.

But you'll gain valuable life experience, there are a lot of modules i did at college that i didnt understand, and no other 'fresh' students understood, when you go back as a 'mature' student you'll know exactly why these modules exist and you'll take advantage of them, whilst the other studnets sit around, learn nothing and get no where in reality.

I wish i'd have gone from high school, then into a job and uni later on. I've spent the last few years going in and out of different course's (Leeds met and Leeds college of tech) and now i know what i want to do i dont think they'll take me back, damn ;)

Actually, i wish i'd have gotten a job and then done one course at Park Lane per year, part time. THAT would have been a good use of my time, i'd have definately done a Music A level at least, just for the hell of it.

Now i think im ranting, ah well, good luck!

[Bainzy]

I've got quite a few friends at Uni that are 21 - it's not an issue at all, and it wouldn't really have put me off going there later.

[38thBeatle]

I have a friend who attends Brighton Uni and he is 40 in a few days.

[Sifu Ben]

Yeah, the slightly older students tend to have a better time and get more from the course.

[metal_god]

and the chicks dig older guys, so you may be broke but you'll have all the hmmm ladys hehe