Wanting to study Law but I'm a 35 year old mum, where do I start?
I've alway alway been interested in Law or being a police officer. As a kid I grew up in a domestic violence household (stepdad beat us kids & mum) and sexual abuse (stepdad doing to sister) so when my work experience years at school roled around & I expressed my interest in Law or law enforcement I was forbidden to do either, obviously due to my stepdad knowing what he was doing was a serious crime.
Fast forward many years, I have broken away from my mother & step father (they are still together) and have a happy healthy family but wish I had followed my dreams.
I'm now 35 and really want to study law & become a lawyer specializing in family law, but have no idea where or how to start.
No OP to use & we certainly aren't wealthy so is it even possible?
I have 2 little girls, one will be at kindy next year, the other is at Lindy the following year.
Can I study part time or via correspondence for the first year?
I'm located in Cairns. Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
How do I start Uni without an OP as a 35 year old mum?
How do I start Uni without an OP as a 35 year old mum?
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Education
6 Replies
Start by googling your local universities and law. All the units have really comprehensive lists of courses, what the time commitment is and wether it's possible to do part time or not. A lot of course work is done online these days so that also helps, but you still need to be able to commit to the time workload.
Often there will be a contact hour expectation and they will explain how much study you can expect to do that's non contact.
There are many ways to be accepted into a university course and it can differ from course to course and uni to uni, but again your options will be on the website.
Visit the uni and talk to the counsellor. They're there to help :) Good luck, I hope you make it.
You could consider TAFE instead?
Law is a pretty long and intense degree, why don't you look at a criminal justice degree and the career pathways for that? Law graduate positions are also pretty competitive with people from the best unis getting the job and it is very hard to get in to the best uni universities, it is very competitive. I would just hate to see you spend many years doing a correspondence type course and not get a job.
CQU offer a steps course which after successful completion can give you direct entry into your desired course. I did this to get into my degree as i am a mature aged student with no op. Goodluck.
Wow, congratulations on your decision. Yes it is possible to do. I am a current Law student at CQU and study via distance. Exams are supervised at a dominated exam centre, that you must attend. There is one in Cairns.
Many students purchase text books second hand and I imagine we all put our fees to HECS, so no upfront payment.
I didn't do the Steps program via CQU but applied for the dual program of Diploma of Justice Studies/LLB. After successful completion of Diploma I had a guaranteed place in the LLB degree.
So there are many options for entry for a mature aged student.
I wish you all the best and am happy to answer any questions.