The Open University & Standing out to an employer

Turk_NJD_UK

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simpywimpy

I find the OU really good. The study materials are clear to follow and there are loads of online services and forums like this one for your particular course and of course a tutor at the end of a phone if you need them.

I've never heard of anyone feeling their degree was worth less than a standard uni one and I am sure it has the same weight to it - probably more so because of the committment it needs doing it on your own.

As you want to do paramedic, would you not be better considering an A level or something science wise?

Consider a level one course if you havent studied for a while. Level two is okay as well but level 3's are a lot more indepth and it's a big jump on some courses from a 1/2 to 3.

I don't know what the earnings limit is but the oU do offer grants towards the cost of study that might be worth looking into.

good luck with it all

scubaangel

The materials OU give you for the courses are really good, the OU book and usually a.n other text book for more indepth reading.

Time wise tbh as they say 8-16 hours a week, at the moment Im doing two shortcourses and one level 2 longer course and some weeks I can get the work done in a day of solid work other times it can take me a couple of days (working on the assumption I study 9-5 with breaks for lunch etc as though I was at work).

If I was just doing the short courses I could happily do a couple of hours a week on them and just about pass them at the first assessment date but to do well I need to spend a bit more time on them.

The OU financial aid is great, in my current job I can apply for it, although my next 12 months courses are already paid for, and if you shop at Tesco the clubcard vouchers can be exchanged for OU vouchers. The details are on the website which although it looks complicated its not once you actually start filling it in.

Becles

I've done a few OU courses. The time question is very much a "how long is a piece of string" question!

The times they give are an average time you need to study for. However I've whizzed through some units where I've understood everything easily, but then spent longer on other units where I've found it more difficult.

The qualifications are just as good as what you get from a "bricks and mortar" university, however it as all the study is done at home, it shows you have excellent time management skills, motivation, desire to better yourself and so on.

The materials I've had have been excellent. Usually all the materials you need are included with the course, although do check the prospectus notes before you start.

As well as the course materials, you'll have a tutor who you can contact at anytime by email or phone, and they may run tutorials so you can meet him/her and fellow students face to face. These are valuable and worth attending as they do help with your studies. There will also be online course and tutor group forums, along with general facilty forums and loads of social forums to chill out in!

Have a look at the online calculator in the financial support pages. Pop in your household circumstances and it will tell you if you are entitled to help with costs. If you do have to pay, there is a budget account available which charges around 8% interest. It's a bit like a credit card in that you can make extra payments or pay it off early if you wish to reduce the interest charges.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Turk_NJD_UK

Thanks to all so far,
i'm not eligable for any grants because i still live with the rents, and we all have jobs, so it's over the £30,000 household income threshold.

As you want to do paramedic, would you not be better considering an A level or something science wise?

I have thought about this, but it would be too difficult to do it aswell as having a job.. the course that i'm aiming for at the moment is science based, but not a-level (diploma in health sciences, then possibly a BSc (hons) Life Sciences)


I think that the fact i work shifts could be benifitial to taking in information from the courses, i'll be able to do a couple of full days / week + a few hours here and there, rather than struggling to find an hour or 2 every night

i just can't wait to get started


oh does anybody know how many ucas points OU diplomas are worth? if any..

LindsayO

Have you thought about asking someone at the place you eventually want to apply to.
I don't know who runs paramedic degree courses, but most unis and colleges have open days round this time of year, and most of them welcome these kinds of questions

Even if you have missed the open day it would be worth calling and asking if you could visit, or calling and asking if you could talk to whoever is in charge of admissions for your chosen course

Turk_NJD_UK

yeah i have, there's two entry routes for student paramedic

uni - pay uni fees etc, they put you on paramedic course, and give you placements

student paramedic (direct through nhs) - this is the 1 im gona go for, no specific qualifications required.. prefered voulentary first aid experience.. thats about it, so its a free for all really, just got 2 sell myself

Oldernotwiser

Turk_NJD_UK wrote: »

Thanks to all so far,
i'm not eligable for any grants because i still live with the rents, and we all have jobs, so it's over the £30,000 household income threshold.

Have you checked this out with the OU? I thought that "household" in this context meant when you're living with a partner, not as in living with your parents. If you've been told this by the OU I'd like to know, as it's new to me.

scubaangel

Turk_NJD_UK wrote: »

oh does anybody know how many ucas points OU diplomas are worth? if any..

Im not sure they have a UCAS 'value' as such because they're the equivalent of uni level credits (ie the BSc Open Science degree needs 320 points, which is the same as a point requirement to graduate from a bricks and motar uni with a similar degree classification, equally a diploma might require 60 points so is worth just under 1/5 of a degree). I know if you wanted to go to full time study OU credit (points) can be used to reduce the credit/points required to graduate from your new place of study.

Might be worth asking OU about that specifically, tbh, as I just confused myself with the above.

Sooler

Becles wrote: »

The qualifications are just as good as what you get from a "bricks and mortar" university, however it as all the study is done at home, it shows you have excellent time management skills, motivation, desire to better yourself and so on.

This aspect of it can could be considered to make it better than a "bricks and mortar" university.

Daydreaming

Hello! I've just read through this topic and have a few questions about the open uni!
The is where I currently stand!
I'm 19 and have completed my A levels I am currently studying AAT at college whilst also working as a trainee accountant for my local Council.
I have always wanted to study a degree but never really knew what I wanted to do. I was set last year I was going to study Philosophy and had to back track and think will it be worth it. I've now changed my thinking and believe computing would be beneficial as its used all the time and I am very interested in how everything works. I always ask too many questions as you may decypher b the end of this.

When looking at the open uni they say do this level 1 course. Do A levels pay no part for getting onto these courses and you have to basically work your way through one stage one by one?
If I take a level 1 couse complete it does that mean anything to an employer or is it just a stepping stone for the next level within open Uni.

Thanks for any replies!
Thanks,
K