The Open University & Standing out to an employer

Becles

Have a look at what other certificates and diplomas the courses can be counted towards. You can pick up qualifications on the way.

I'm doing the BA in Business Studies. I did two level 1 courses that are counting towards the degree, but I got a Certificate in Business Studies when I finished. If I was applying for a job today, I could take that certificate as evidence of what I've completed so far.

scubaangel

A level one course is the equivalent of a couse taken in the first year of a degree at a bricks and mortar uni, level 2 courses being year 2 etc.
So yes the level one's are pretty much a stepping stone to the level 2 and 3 courses - quite a few of the level 2's will recommend you have studied course xyz which will have been a level 1 to make sure you know the basic material not covered adequately in that particular course. Obviously if its a subject you know inside out then theres probably less need to do it that way but if you want a full degree its helpful for the 'easy' credits* to make up the totals.

*By easy I mean only one ECA to submit in most cases and you dont generally need to study quite as intensively.

SparciaM

To become a Paramedic should do a Science A Level and then go on to do the Paramedic Sciences degree course. About 7 Uni's across the country do it and it's paid for by the Ambulance Service.

I'm currently applying to do the degree course at mo, only things they want before hand is an interest (ie A level, St Johns, Red Cross etc).

If you goto UCAS website you'll see the courses.

Most Paramedics HAVE to do the degree course now and from 2009 it will be compulsory to have a degree in Paramedic Science before joining. They want people from the courses instead of working through the ranks.
My doctor friend advised me a few months back to go for the degree as when the new system comes in, it'll be even harder.

Also, there is the Bradley Report on 'Bringing the Hospital to the Home' (or something similar) you should read up on that, as it shows where the Ambulance Service want to be in respect of treating and training people at home.

hoopstars

Just had to reply to this last post as my daughter is in her first week at Uni to study paramedic science at BscHons and I can assure you that the ambulance service/NHS pay for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Mysteriously the ambulance service seems to be the only health based organisation that is NOT funded by the NHS. If I am wrong PLEASE tell me where I can find this funding as we have searched the internet and it has cost us a fortune so far and as I say she is only at week one. My daughter has all the student loan etc but that is all we have been able to find. To do her course she has to have her C1 driving licence(to drive an ambulance) and just her theory test was £50, the cheapest she has been able to find for the actual driving course and test is £800+ which she/we have to pay for! I found this thread by accident but am pleased I have and as I say if anyone can point us in the direction of any funding please do! Thank you.

learning_to_drive

What's happened to the original thread post?

learning_to_drive

What happened to the OP?

ali1972

I have an OU science degree and I didn't start at level 1. I started at level 2 and then worked up to level 3. I didn't have science A Levels and did fine although it was probably harder work than starting with a level 1 course. I graduated with a 2:1 degree about 6 years ago now. The level 2 courses I started with assumed no prior knowledge but obviously I had to absorb the basics more quickly than if I had started at level 1. Some of the level 3 courses I did, however, did require me to have passed certain level 2 courses.

I think the OU are a great organisation and they are highly regarded in the various league tables. I would choose an OU degree over a great many residential uni degrees. And I have one of those too, so know!

:T for the OU

dixon-bainbridge

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

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.

I'm on my 3rd year of OU study paid for by course grants. If you live with your parents you do NOT count their income and it states this if you scroll over the little yellow i icon on the financial calculator.