When you are thinking of your next education step, whether it’s with a career change in mind or just for the chance to learn something new, or whether you are straight out of school and pondering the wealth of subjects on offer, it is vital that you ‘do your homework’ before you commit the time and the money on a course.

The trouble is that sometimes, as a friend who recently returned to university said, “you don’t know the questions you need to know you should ask, until it’s too late too ask them!”

Hopefully, the points we’ve set out below will help you start to compile the list of questions and issues you might want to consider in order to make the right choice of programme. Importantly, they include questions for yourself as well as for the potential course providers.

1. What subject should I choose?

A good question, but a hard one to advise on. If you have a definite career route in mind (you want to be a lawyer or an occupational therapist), the choice of course is fairly self-evident – the only issue may be location, i.e. whether you are constrained by circumstances to attend your nearest course provider.

If you aren’t sure what course to study, and don’t have a specific career route in mind, it might be better to choose a subject in which you have, or have had previously, a degree of interest/enjoyment.

2. How much time can I spare for study?

Be realistic! It’s easy to picture yourself poring over a book or an essay for hours on end, but if you need to fit study time around work or family commitments you may have less time than you think. As well as the physical limitations that your day-to-day commitments might impose, your motivation for study might decrease if you plan to work, say, late in the evenings and tiredness has kicked in.

Thinking about the hours you will be able to manage will help you decide, for example, whether you can commit to a full-time rather than a part-time programme. Taking on the challenge of a new course can have a big impact on your personal and social life – talk to family, friends and work about how it might affect them and what support you might need from them.

3. Should I opt for Distance-learning or Classroom?

You may be restricted to taking your choice of study by distance learning (such as an Open University degree) because of personal reasons, for example, the subject you want isn’t available locally or you are constrained by transport difficulties. But if either type of course is an option, think carefully about what might suit you best.

Distance learning courses will offer you more flexibility in terms of when you study and how long you take over each piece of work, but if you need the discipline of deadlines and attendance at scheduled classes then a taught programme might work better for you. Consider also whether you prefer the idea of working mostly on your own, in your own environment, or whether you fell comfortable enough to participate in a group environment.

4. What will the weekly/termly study requirements be?

Research carefully what your proposed course will require in terms of written work (how much, how often, how should it be presented, etc?), class attendance (daytime, evenings) and reading. Ask to speak to the course tutor if you can and attend open days if they are available so you have maximum opportunity to find out what the course will REALLY entail!

Other factors to consider include access to study materials. Will it be easy for you to get to the college library whenever you need to? Which are the critical books on the reading list that you might need to consider buying rather than borrowing? What material might be available from the Internet?

Think also about whether the course is assessed by exam or by coursework. The greater the emphasis on coursework assessment, the more time you will have to put in each week. On the other hand, a course assessed largely by exam can be daunting if you don’t work so well under that kind of time pressure.

5. What Qualification will I get at the end?

This may not be an issue if you are planning to study just for personal enjoyment. However, if you intend it to be a route to something else, such as a more advanced level of course, career progression, or even a complete career change, do make sure that the qualification you receive at the end is exactly what you need to fulfil your future plans. A few years ago a work colleague decided to make a career change and undertook a foundation course related to her proposed new profession, only to discover it didn’t give her the qualification preferred by the industry in which she hoped to work.

6. What help will I get as a Mature Student?

Going back into education after a long break can be a daunting prospect and re-discovering the art of writing an essay; revising for an exam or delivering a seminar paper can take some time to achieve. Many Higher and Further Education establishments offer specific support for mature students. Check, for example, to see if there is a Centre for Lifelong Learning (or similar) at your proposed college or university. Find out what’s on offer in the way of Study Skills tuition and support, which should be able to help you brush up on the practical tools and techniques, such as essay writing or research skills.

7. Can I get help with funding?

Financial support may be available depending on your choice of course and your personal circumstances. Contact your local education authority for more information. If you are considering a post-graduate course you may be able to apply for research funding via your chosen university, although demand usually outstrips supply. Speak to the admissions tutor for your proposed programme and find out what may be available. Many employers are keen to see their staff continue with learning and development – find out if your company might be willing to sponsor your proposed study programme.

8. What will the mix of students be?

You may not find out who your fellow students will be until the start of term, but if you are concerned about how you might fit in, for example you might not want to be the only mature student on an undergraduate degree programme, contact the course tutor and find out the usual age range. It will also help if you attend any open days or pre-course events so you have the chance to meet other potential students and, critically, get a feel for the atmosphere.

9. What if I can’t cope?

Finding out as much as you can before you commit to a course, especially in terms of the study requirements, should help allay the fear of things going wrong that may put you off applying.

Again, check with the course tutor about what help you can tap into. Find out what flexibility there may be in terms of deadlines for submission of work or scheduling of seminars to fit with your work or home constraints. They will also be able to advise you on how easy it might be to change, if, say, your circumstances alter and you need to move to a part-time rather than full-time course.

10. Where do I find the Answers to my Questions?

Again, this is a tricky question to answer. The important factor is that you work out as many questions as possible (hopefully, this article will help!) and look across a range of possible people who can help. Attend open days, if you can, and take note of the names of Tutors who are present. Log on to the college/uni website and get contact numbers for more general enquiries (e.g. the undergraduate or post-graduate admissions office, the Lifelong Learning Centre, the Finance Department, etc.)