r/OpenUniversity • u/Aromatic_Proof8420 • 1d ago

Is graduating at 28 too late?

So, I'm a 22 year old EU citizen living in Belgium, and I'm looking to do the BA (Honours) Language Studies. Given that I'm financially independent and living on my own, I can't afford to do the course in three or even four years, and I don't want to use credit or loans to finance my studies. I'm looking into scholarships offered where I live, but I'm not confident that I would qualify, since I'm not a Belgian citizen and I would be studying through an UK institutions. So, my best option financially would be to study part-time, over 6 years, which would also be easier to balance with work and life. However, the thought of getting an online degree at only 28, leaves me concerned about job prospects. Right now, I work in hospitality, and although I could raise in it over the next years, I don't know if my experience would look favorably. OU is by far the best institution offering online degrees, all EU initiatives are mostly national and don't have the same structure, support and community that OU has, so I would really like to hear some thoughts.

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u/Iulius96 1d ago

If you do the degree, you’ll be 28 with a degree. If you don’t do the degree, you’ll be 28.

15

u/spacecadet_42069 1d ago

This is the best outlook to have

13

u/One-Yellow7732 1d ago

The time will pass anyways!!!!

5

u/CharleaPrice 1d ago

Came here to say this exact thing, it was the best advice I got given when I went back, I’ve just finished my degree at 26, I’m 27 next month 😊

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u/doctorfluffe19 1d ago

100% agree I'm going to graduate just before my 30th birthday. I felt the exact as OP and it was only when someone said this to me it kinda clicked for me that it wasn't shameful or embarrassing to be 30 and graduating.