Wow mid 40s and 50s? Good luck to you guys! On my ab intio course there were two gents in their 40s, one of whom was already a flight information officer and neither of them made it in the end. Just a heads up, doing a university degree is nothing like what you may expect with ATC training. I'm not saying you have to be smarter, but it is the pace and volume you must learn at which may catch you out. There is very little time for consolidation (this comes once you're validated!), and they require very high grades in assessments. Like you say in most countries you wouldn't even get a shot, I'm sure you'll make the most of it. There are a lot of cranky people on sites like this and in the field, but don't let them put you off, it's a great career and they've just been doing it too long
