College degree in the "fast lane"?

A_SN

Here's my situation, I'm 22, I don't have a degree, and I'm really into digital signal processing. I've studied it on my own for 4 years, the culmination of my studies being a commercial program I made.

I'd like to start a career in that domain, the problem is, it's pretty much impossible to get your foot in any door in that domain without a degree or previous relevant commercial experience. So I'd like to go back to college and get a relevant degree, but on the other hand I don't want it to take 4 years and to waste my time on things I already know (I looked at the relevant DCU program and there's a lot I know), well of course there's quite a few things I don't know, but if I went through with the whole 4 year long ordeal I know I'd get sick of it for 4 years is awfully long and I'd get bored if it's too easy or redundant with my previous personal experience. You'll understand that I don't necessarily want to be taught all over again how to write a computer program when I've already written an entire commercial program .

So I'm wondering, is there any sort of programme to be able to get a degree faster without having to study in college absolutely everything someone has to, a sort of fast track towards a degree if you will? Something that would not take 4 years?

The Insider

You could apply directly into second or even third year of the course. Depending on your relevant experience\qualifications in the area there is a good chance they will let you bypass a year or two.

Also to be honest even if you can't bypass any of the years I would advise you to go for it, the four years will go quicker then you think and you be surprised at the amount of things you will pick up (even if you know the subjects already).