STUDYING FOR QUALIFICATIONS

[User673873]

Hi,

I’ve just turned 17 and I start my basic training on the 1st June. (applied for communications) I only plan on working at the royal navy for about 4 years and am hoping to go to university afterwards- however, I didn’t stay in school long enough therefore only have Nat 5’s (GCSE’s) and was wondering if it was possible to study and obtain highers (A-levels)while away at sea, and a bit more about how it works. Cheers.

 

[Chris P]

?

 

[slim]

Unless it has changed you will be enitled to an annual education allowance.
This can be spent on many aspects of education including A levels.
However for your first two years or so you will be learning your trade so to speak and having to complete your task book.
Sorry I have been out far too long to know how much of your time this takes so will leave it to others to inform you of how much spare time you will have for extra studies

 

[Sumo]

@slim is correct, to do all the Navy training requirements, and the required A levels in 4 years could be very challenging. Once in speak with your DO and a Schooly, they should be able to help. You never know you may like the navy and study a degree whilst on full pay?

 

[Zoidberg]

A levels, GCSEs, degrees are all possible.

After 6 years in you get £1k a year to use on education, at 8 years this rises to £2k. But be careful because you can only use them 3 times and they can also be used towards your resettlement courses.

You also get an annual allowance from day one which pays 80% of a course to a maximum reimbursement of £175. The downside is that it has to have a service benefit but that's easily blagged.

There's also a funded degree scheme where the mob will pay 100% of your university tuition when you leave, but you need under 120 CATS points and have served 6 years. LINK

From my understanding, most A levels will be run by the education centre or a distance learning provider. Exams will be taken at the ed centre, at another centre if you're doing it off your own back, or they may approve an officer or senior rate to act as an invigilater if you're deployed.

Most base libraries have a selection of GCSE and A level materials, and I believe if you're away they can actually forward them to you as well.

I've never done A levels with the mob, only other courses, but overall the support is there and the RN like it when someone takes the initiative to further their education.

 

[Zoidberg]

Forgot to mention that the ELCs can be used for ten years after leaving so if uni is free because you're Scottish, then you can always use it for something else

With Scottish fees a full degree is also about £6k with the open university and they're very good at supporting military students.

As the others have said, time could be a challenge but you can only try and if it isn't working you can readjust your plan.

 

[User673873]

Thanks very much, very helpful mate

 

[User673873]

Forgot to mention that the ELCs can be used for ten years after leaving so if uni is free because you're Scottish, then you

Forgot to mention that the ELCs can be used for ten years after leaving so if uni is free because you're Scottish, then you can always use it for something else

With Scottish fees a full degree is also about £6k with the open university and they're very good at supporting military students.

As the others have said, time could be a challenge but you can only try and if it isn't working you can readjust your plan.

can always use it for something else

With Scottish fees a full degree is also about £6k with the open university and they're very good at supporting military students.

As the others have said, time could be a challenge but you can only try and if it isn't working you can readjust your plan.

Unless it has changed you will be enitled to an annual education allowance.
This can be spent on many aspects of education including A levels.
However for your first two years or so you will be learning your trade so to speak and having to complete your task book.
Sorry I have been out far too long to know how much of your time this takes so will leave it to others to inform you of how much spare time you will have for extra studies

Cheers mate

 

[soleil]

Hi,

I’ve just turned 17 and I start my basic training on the 1st June. (applied for communications) I only plan on working at the royal navy for about 4 years and am hoping to go to university afterwards- however, I didn’t stay in school long enough therefore only have Nat 5’s (GCSE’s) and was wondering if it was possible to study and obtain highers (A-levels)while away at sea, and a bit more about how it works. Cheers.

Why only 4 years?

Was the possibility of staying on to do Highers and then joining or staying on to do Highers and then Uni not something you could consider?

 

[User673873]

Why only 4 years?

Was the possibility of staying on to do Highers and then joining or staying on to do Highers and then Uni not something you could consider?

I take it you mean staying in school to do highers then joining the navy, and afterwards going to uni?
If so I left school for personal reasons and yes I have considered going back for 6th year and getting my highers.
And to answer why only 4 years, I guess if I was to go to uni I’d still want to be fairly young to get the full experience, especially considering I’d probably miss out on that quite a bit being at the navy.
With that being said the Royal Navy is still 100% my top priority.

 

[Zoidberg]

In my opinion, staying for the 6 years is worth it. That way, you get access to the Enhanced Learning Credits and the resettlement package. It will also allow you to focus on the A levels at a more comfortable pace.

It's all something to consider when you're in and out of training, though.

 

[BreathingOutOnTheWayUp]

Mmmm, generalising but still saddens me that today's younkers are of the mindset that commitment is but an out of work old former musician from the slums of Dublin & cooperation a seedy supermart in a secondary shopping area somewhere off the beaten track.

Loyalty? Ah that'll be the forever bunce accruing to a once-famous Asian B list pop star...

 

[Zoidberg]

Mmmm, generalising but still saddens me that today's younkers are of the mindset that commitment is but an out of work old former musician from the slums of Dublin & cooperation a seedy supermart in a secondary shopping area somewhere off the beaten track.

Loyalty? Ah that'll be the forever bunce accruing to a once-famous Asian B list pop star...

What's wrong with joining and serving as a stepping stone? He won't be the first person who has done it, nor the last.

 

[User673873]

Mmmm, generalising but still saddens me that today's younkers are of the mindset that commitment is but an out of work old former musician from the slums of Dublin & cooperation a seedy supermart in a secondary shopping area somewhere off the beaten track.

Loyalty? Ah that'll be the forever bunce accruing to a once-famous Asian B list pop star...

Mmmm, generalising but still saddens me that today’s older generation are of the mindset that they can speak to the youth in such a condescending, pretentious manner.

Helping them out and maybe giving them some words of wisdom from the life experience you’ve had so maybe they can benefit from it and make the right choices? Na, **** that just slag them off that’ll do it.

 

[Waspie]

Many of us 'older generation' saw the Services as a career. Whereas later generations don't.
Our experiences are not totally relevant in todays modern RN. A few things have remained the same but uniform's, ships and ships systems have changed almost beyond recognition.
As for four years service. It's hardly a commitment! Which even civilian companies look for! Might like to keep that one quiet at interview.
What many of us oldies have also observed after years on this site alone is; many come on here for advice etc but don't listen and only take on board those answers that they wish to hear. Rather than miss or ignore sound advice.

 

[Alfacharlie]

Mmmm, generalising but still saddens me that today’s older generation are of the mindset that they can speak to the youth in such a condescending, pretentious manner.

Helping them out and maybe giving them some words of wisdom from the life experience you’ve had so maybe they can benefit from it and make the right choices? Na, **** that just slag them off that’ll do it.

Wind your neck in springs to mind.

 

[User673873]

Many of us 'older generation' saw the Services as a career. Whereas later generations don't.
Our experiences are not totally relevant in todays modern RN. A few things have remained the same but uniform's, ships and ships systems have changed almost beyond recognition.
As for four years service. It's hardly a commitment! Which even civilian companies look for! Might like to keep that one quiet at interview.
What many of us oldies have also observed after years on this site alone is; many come on here for advice etc but don't listen and only take on board those answers that they wish to hear. Rather than miss or ignore sound advice.

I’m completely open to all advice but the comment I was replying to wasn’t advice at all, it has absolutely no benefit to me at all.

 

[slim]

I take it you mean staying in school to do highers then joining the navy, and afterwards going to uni?
If so I left school for personal reasons and yes I have considered going back for 6th year and getting my highers.
And to answer why only 4 years, I guess if I was to go to uni I’d still want to be fairly young to get the full experience, especially considering I’d probably miss out on that quite a bit being at the navy.
With that being said the Royal Navy is still 100% my top priority.

Only my opinion but I reckon that you will find Uni life a little tame after 4 years in the RN
You may also find your fellow students boring as you will have changed beyond all recognition after your service.
There is an old saying "You can take the man out of the Navy, but you will never take the Navy out of the man"

 

[Alfacharlie]

Plus, chicks love matelots, not dossers.
#im right

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

Only my opinion but I reckon that you will find Uni life a little tame after 4 years in the RN
You may also find your fellow students boring as you will have changed beyond all recognition after your service.
There is an old saying "You can take the man out of the Navy, but you will never take the Navy out of the man"

I did my degree after leaving the RN. Trust me, there was MUCH more fun during my RN runs ashore. I think I only ever went into the Union a couple of times.