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To Uni or not To Uni. Eager for more insight and thoughts in the pros and cons of going to Universtiy for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree at 30+.

Jack Goodwin

I am an Apprentice trained Engineering Technician and have been working in manufacturing for 10 years. Starting in an Apprenticeship role building CNC machine tools and then leaving to work in commissioning role for a smaller business working in integrated bespoke machinary. After some nasty health issues I had to stop the travel that came with commissioning systems and started my path into Controls Engineering; doing my HNC and now working on designing, building and testing control panels and PLC applications/development that sort of thing. 

Now, that will keep me busy for the rest of my career should I choose too stick at it!

I have developed however, very ichy feet towards academic study and further learning. The debate I am having is whether to commit a good section of my life to going to complete an Electrical Engineering Degree or higher education in Automation and Controls. 

Aims? To both grasp and get exposure to new topics, other Engineers and best practices in design and applications, to increase my long term employment prospects and probably because I want to complete what I'd set my mind too a long while ago which was to have a degree in the tool belt. 

There are other things that the degree may assist with such as working abroad and eventually teaching, both are goals which I'd love to achieve.

My question is to those who have gone down a similar path or who have insight on the topic... is it worth the time and expenditure, (it is so expensive). Is there a widening disconnect between industry and academia when it comes to Engineering? I have to say I am not often around graduate engineers in my area.

It is such a hot topic, I know. Also, to add I am currently 29 and will be 30 at least before starting on this path. Too old? (That is not my thought, but I might be wrong). 

All thoughts welcome and have a lovely evening wherever you are!! 

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  • Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

    I'd also highly recommend the Open University as others have already suggested. Just had my degree ceremony for my MSc in Computing from the OU last week coincidently, which I did over 6 years whilst working full time to give plenty of gaps in between modules. Although I did it primarily because I was interested, it did help me get another job and I'm now looking into starting a part-time PhD! As Andy suggested, the OU let you spread out the modules which is what I did, and you can start with one module, see how it goes and then take another one and another if you enjoy it, and I found I got a lot more out of it being able to relate what I was studying to my day job. I believe the OU do also provide flexibility in accepting existing qualifications in lieu of part of the study, but you'd have to contact them to find out the specifics. Could you ask your employer if they'd fund the tuition fees towards it?

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  • Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

    I'd also highly recommend the Open University as others have already suggested. Just had my degree ceremony for my MSc in Computing from the OU last week coincidently, which I did over 6 years whilst working full time to give plenty of gaps in between modules. Although I did it primarily because I was interested, it did help me get another job and I'm now looking into starting a part-time PhD! As Andy suggested, the OU let you spread out the modules which is what I did, and you can start with one module, see how it goes and then take another one and another if you enjoy it, and I found I got a lot more out of it being able to relate what I was studying to my day job. I believe the OU do also provide flexibility in accepting existing qualifications in lieu of part of the study, but you'd have to contact them to find out the specifics. Could you ask your employer if they'd fund the tuition fees towards it?

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