Previous OU Study Grant vs SLC elligibility?

Oldernotwiser

lee1985 wrote: »

Thought it was obvious?

I have to achieve a significantly higher mark to achieve the same class of degree.

Therefore, it's a bad thing because the same grades at a mainstream university would have got me a First, not a 2:1.

Perhaps you could save up and buy yourself a degree on the internet, that would be even less challenging!:rotfl:

GothicStirling

lee1985 wrote: »

Thought it was obvious?

I have to achieve a significantly higher mark to achieve the same class of degree.

Therefore, it's a bad thing because the same grades at a mainstream university would have got me a First, not a 2:1.

I'm gobsmacked, words fail me.

I wouldn't me so sure either. I studied at the OU and consistently achieved 79% [80% was the first class mark] I went to a ordinary university and graduated with a 2:2.

I've just re-registered with the OU to take a second degree in Classic Studies. I'm am certain that I can go back to the OU and achieve a first class.

Maybe the OU has a higher percentage mark, but I don't believe it is any easier to achieve that lower percentage mark.

shegirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Perhaps you could save up and buy yourself a degree on the internet, that would be even less challenging!:rotfl:

Love it!:rotfl::T

Have to say though lee1985,the grading may be higher in that respect but I found OU a lot easier than a normal uni.

You can't expect to get a degree without a challenge and if your courses genuinely are harder to get good grades on than a mainstream uni then you should thrive with that and make the most of it.

Whatever way it is,don't go thinking you will do so much better at a normal uni based on how well you done with OU.It's quite different and you may well find the exact opposite.

I do have to laugh at complaining about 'high standards' though,fgs it ain't meant to be easy...would you choose to apply for a uni that's quite easy to get into and has lower standards but is very low in respect and league tables over a really good uni with high standards just because you think it'd be easier?If so,you'd be a very rare breed of student

lee1985

The OU does not good quality teaching (on some courses) but the First Class mark is 85% (not 80% as previously mentioned, though some courses do award discretion at 80%). I consistently achieve marks in the 70s and 80s like the idea of collabarating with students face to face instead of meetings and online discussions so simply thought I would investigate a change of heart and if I can keep up those scores at a traditional university then it's a first class mark and I graduate with a First instead.

For the idiots who assume I want the easiest degree available, I never said anything about the 'challenge' or the 'competitiveness' of university degrees. In my opinion degrees are not easy, whether people want them to be or not. That would just be a silly assumption. But there is a fine line between challenging and extremely difficult, which I do the find the OU to be to even achieve a mediocre grade sometimes, and also other facts such as unfair treatment etc, of which I shall not go into.

lee1985

I'm pleased for you.

But the OUs First Class mark is 85%.

You need that on both the continuous assessment and the examination component.

Get 95% in continuous assessment but 84% in the examination and you'll be given a Grade 2 - equivalent to a 2:1. Yes, they do award discretion sometimes, but other times even one mark off is not given. The student handbook also makes that exceptionally clear. It's happened to me in two modules and others in many more. So you really do need to be very consistent. It doesn't go on the average.

In the example above, it don't really justify the grade given does it? That's why I want a change of heart and sometimes find it difficult.

GothicStirling wrote: »

I'm gobsmacked, words fail me.

I wouldn't me so sure either. I studied at the OU and consistently achieved 79% [80% was the first class mark] I went to a ordinary university and graduated with a 2:2.

I've just re-registered with the OU to take a second degree in Classic Studies. I'm am certain that I can go back to the OU and achieve a first class.

Maybe the OU has a higher percentage mark, but I don't believe it is any easier to achieve that lower percentage mark.

shegirl

What is it you found so 'extremely difficult' about getting mediocre grades with OU and why do you seem sure that you'd get around the same,but leading to higher classification,at a normal uni?

Make sure you are prepared.My experience of OU and what I see many others doing (although on some courses I know it takes more),is that myself and others could read the given book (you won't have it all handed to you like that at uni) in a short time,watch a DVD or listen to an audio if you could be bothered,write an essay in a short time and get high grades.It's why I got fed up.Just remember the differences,workload and study and research skills that aren't as used in some OU courses (no way could you read one book for normal uni,only reference one book and get a decent grade).

What have you and will you be studying?Look into the differences fully to see what is best for you.

I won't disrespect the open uni as there is a lot to be said for it,but I have seen sides that put me off personally,but there are different positive qualities stemming from both type of degree study.

Don't expect it to be easier to achieve a first at normal uni though!!

lee1985 wrote: »

The OU does not good quality teaching (on some courses) but the First Class mark is 85% (not 80% as previously mentioned, though some courses do award discretion at 80%). I consistently achieve marks in the 70s and 80s like the idea of collabarating with students face to face instead of meetings and online discussions so simply thought I would investigate a change of heart and if I can keep up those scores at a traditional university then it's a first class mark and I graduate with a First instead.

For the idiots who assume I want the easiest degree available, I never said anything about the 'challenge' or the 'competitiveness' of university degrees. In my opinion degrees are not easy, whether people want them to be or not. That would just be a silly assumption. But there is a fine line between challenging and extremely difficult, which I do the find the OU to be to even achieve a mediocre grade sometimes, and also other facts such as unfair treatment etc, of which I shall not go into.

Taiko

Might be worth sticking to the OU. Face to face, people may be more inclined to punch you in the face.

shegirl

I've seen many students from normal unis complaining of the same and similar, not restricted to OU by any means.Most of them are met with replies from other students telling them that 1%,3% etc is not 1 mark or 3 marks.All unis have students complaining about missing out by a couple of percent at times.

lee1985 wrote: »

I'm pleased for you.

But the OUs First Class mark is 85%.

You need that on both the continuous assessment and the examination component.

Get 95% in continuous assessment but 84% in the examination and you'll be given a Grade 2 - equivalent to a 2:1. Yes, they do award discretion sometimes, but other times even one mark off is not given. The student handbook also makes that exceptionally clear. It's happened to me in two modules and others in many more. So you really do need to be very consistent. It doesn't go on the average.

In the example above, it don't really justify the grade given does it? That's why I want a change of heart and sometimes find it difficult.

shegirl

Taiko wrote: »

Might be worth sticking to the OU. Face to face, people may be more inclined to punch you in the face.

Lmao!I now love two people on this thread!

zzzLazyDaisy

shegirl wrote: »

Don't expect it to be easier to achieve a first at normal uni though!!

I second that comment.

Although it was a long time ago I studied social science based subjects for 4 years with the OU, whilst working full time and running a home and raising my son single handedly. I consistently got 1st class passes.

I decided that I wanted to study law, which wasn't available with the OU in those days, so I successfully applied for a place at a normal uni - I didn't have the necessary A levels but they accepted my OU passes instead which was great for me.

But i can tell you without any shadow of a doubt the work at the 'normal' uni was far more demanding. We had to do our own research (no internet then so hours and hours spent in the law library) and turn up to lectures, seminars etc. And although the pass grade for a 1st was lower than with the OU, actually achieving those marks was more difficult. I ended up with a 2:1 and was very happy with my decision to go to an 'normal' uni. But don't expect it to be easier than the OU!