Level 7 to Level 8... BTEA?

skinny malinky

I'm currently on JSA and hoping to start undergrad Medicine next year (I've been advised indirectly that I haven't a chance of getting in as a mature student - not enough scientific/medical experience, but luckily I can get in on points). Since I hold a Level 7 degree, would that stop me getting BTEA?

I've got varying answers on this (one social welfare office told me yes, one told me no) so I've decided no one really has a clue.

The ruling seems to be that you have to be "progressing", and each case is taken on merit, so surely moving from completion of a worthless Level 7 drama degree to a Level 8 medicine degree is seen as a step up. Surely?

eastbono

skinny malinky wrote: »

I'm currently on JSA and hoping to start undergrad Medicine next year (I've been advised indirectly that I haven't a chance of getting in as a mature student - not enough scientific/medical experience, but luckily I can get in on points). Since I hold a Level 7 degree, would that stop me getting BTEA?

I've got varying answers on this (one social welfare office told me yes, one told me no) so I've decided no one really has a clue.

The ruling seems to be that you have to be "progressing", and each case is taken on merit, so surely moving from completion of a worthless Level 7 drama degree to a Level 8 medicine degree is seen as a step up. Surely?

I would be in the yes camp that you would get BTEA as you will now be doing a level 8 and do not have a previous level 8 degree. Try an speak to someone who directly deals with BTEA in your office.

skinny malinky

eastbono wrote: »

I would be in the yes camp that you would get BTEA as you will now be doing a level 8 and do not have a previous level 8 degree. Try an speak to someone who directly deals with BTEA in your office.

Thanks. Yeah one of the women was apparently the BTEA person in that office, and she said no. But I'm not giving up - seems to me if you get the right (or, incidentally, wrong perhaps!) person you could be approved.

That woman actually said I could get BTEA with mature entry, but not with undergrad. But the colleges won't take me as a mature student, only as undergrad... so frustrating!

eastbono

skinny malinky wrote: »

Thanks. Yeah one of the women was apparently the BTEA person in that office, and she said no. But I'm not giving up - seems to me if you get the right (or, incidentally, wrong perhaps!) person you could be approved.

That woman actually said I could get BTEA with mature entry, but not with undergrad. But the colleges won't take me as a mature student, only as undergrad... so frustrating!

Did she say no cos your not on jsa long enough or because of the degree you hold already?... If its the degree... apply get refusal and appeal... but you may have to defer college for a year while appeal is processed. Just giving you all the scenarios.

How old are you? I think she is assuming you are doing a postgrad which is not the case as you are doing a whole new degree
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW70/Pages/ABacktoEducationAllowanceBTEA.aspx#qualify
maybe you did not explain things properly to her... did you say you are going to do a post grad when in actual fact it is not a post grad but a degree but level 8.

skinny malinky

eastbono wrote: »

Did she say no cos your not on jsa long enough or because of the degree you hold already?... If its the degree... apply get refusal and appeal... but you may have to defer college for a year while appeal is processed. Just giving you all the scenarios.

It was the degree I hold already. I'm on JSA long enough (not that much money in theatre nowadays I'm afraid ) Deferring for a year wouldn't be the worst thing in the world so long as it meant I get in eventually.

I was thinking I'd appeal, yeah. Surely anyone who'd look at my case (drama degree and getting barely any acting work - yet enough points to do med) would give me a break. Makes more sense than leaving me on the dole.

Thanks a million for all your help.

skinny malinky

eastbono wrote: »

How old are you? I think she is assuming you are doing a postgrad which is not the case as you are doing a whole new degree
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW70/Pages/ABacktoEducationAllowanceBTEA.aspx#qualify
maybe you did not explain things properly to her... did you say you are going to do a post grad when in actual fact it is not a post grad but a degree but level 8.

I'm 26. I told her the exact same info I told you. I did get the impression that she was plucking answers out of the air though, and she gave monosyllabic replies to my questions which made me think she just wanted me to shut up and go home!

eastbono

skinny malinky wrote: »

It was the degree I hold already. I'm on JSA long enough (not that much money in theatre nowadays I'm afraid ) Deferring for a year wouldn't be the worst thing in the world so long as it meant I get in eventually.

I was thinking I'd appeal, yeah. Surely anyone who'd look at my case (drama degree and getting barely any acting work - yet enough points to do med) would give me a break. Makes more sense than leaving me on the dole.

Thanks a million for all your help.

No problem once your last degree was level 7 and your new one is level 8 you should appeal...mmm... drama to medicine.... what a change...going to have a laugh here... will you specialise in plastic surgery eventually.... forgive me I couldnt resist.

skinny malinky

eastbono wrote: »

No problem once your last degree was level 7 and your new one is level 8 you should appeal...mmm... drama to medicine.... what a change...going to have a laugh here... will you specialise in plastic surgery eventually.... forgive me I couldnt resist.

Ha, from one theatre to another!

eastbono

skinny malinky wrote: »

Ha, from one theatre to another!

Nice one.