Open University PC Grants- Unrealistic...

wontonsoup

I commence a course with the Open University in October and the funding is very minimal when compared to attending any other university. I have £140 PC Grant and £260 course grant to last the entire year and to purchase a computer, peripherals (Printer, Scanner etc.), set books, travel to lectures, travel to residential schools that are located around the country and computer software. It is absolutely impossible as you have to buy the computer new!

I know there is an access to learning fund, but do not know how that works and how much you can get from it. I am currently on incapacity benefit due to illness and cannot work, even though I am constantly searching for jobs I may be able to do from home.

If anyone has any advice or tips, I would be very grateful. Please no nasty comments.

bumpoowee

What software do you need? A lot of software is available (or has an equivalent) for free.

PasturesNew

When I did some OU degree courses there were no grants... you either coughed up or you didn't do it. Which, actually, meant mostly I didn't do it.

I'm now getting the impression there's lots of grants etc ... and am going to be looking into it again.

As for lectures ... there weren't any when I did courses with them. There was one residential school that was compulsory (first year, one week).

What course are you on?

wontonsoup

I'm doing English. There are only 2 grants and then there is the Access To Learning Fund. IT is a lot cheaper than doing a degree in another uni, but the downside is you don't have the government chucking money at you! haha. It will be a struggle, I just wanted to know if there is anything else I can do about this PC thing as it will cost over £400 for a decent laptop and good hard-drive.

lynzpower

PasturesNew wrote: »

When I did some OU degree courses there were no grants... you either coughed up or you didn't do it. Which, actually, meant mostly I didn't do it.

I'm now getting the impression there's lots of grants etc ... and am going to be looking into it again.

As for lectures ... there weren't any when I did courses with them. There was one residential school that was compulsory (first year, one week).

What course are you on?

No there are definately tutorials, I had 2 mid week and every saturday ( all day) this was on 2x 30 credits and one x 60 credits. ( at same time)

Im going back and doing a couple more modules next year ( both 60s) and I fully expect there to be weekly tutorials. You dont HAVE to attend ( this is in social care) but you really notice it if you dont attend in my view.

Oldernotwiser

lynzpower wrote: »

No there are definately tutorials, I had 2 mid week and every saturday ( all day) this was on 2x 30 credits and one x 60 credits. ( at same time)

Im going back and doing a couple more modules next year ( both 60s) and I fully expect there to be weekly tutorials. You dont HAVE to attend ( this is in social care) but you really notice it if you dont attend in my view.

As the main client groups for the OU have changed, regular tutorials and day schools have become common in the early stages and summer schools have been phased out. As PH said, this used not to be the case, with compulsory summer schools and little regular face to face contact.

wontonsoup

Argh! I don't think I could cope with 3 tutorials a week but most definitely wouldn't want my work to be affected by it. I thought the whole point was long distance learning, 3 tutorials was more than I had in my average week at a London uni!

Oldernotwiser

wontonsoup wrote: »

Argh! I don't think I could cope with 3 tutorials a week but most definitely wouldn't want my work to be affected by it. I thought the whole point was long distance learning, 3 tutorials was more than I had in my average week at a London uni!

I don't think Lynz meant that she had 3 tutorials every week!

wontonsoup

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I don't think Lynz meant that she had 3 tutorials every week!

I'm doing the same credits though, so I assumed I would have a similar set-up. I am doing 120 points in the year. What part of "I had 2 mid week and every saturday ( all day)" do you not understand?

flower24

When I got the PC grant it was £240, are you sure you haven't got £240? The total of your PC grant and study grant should come to £500. (That was only in Feb by the way). We're on JSA atm and I'm sorry but I can afford everything needed for my course. You shouldn't need a printer as most courses actually want you to send your assignments via the internet. I don't have one. If you ever did need to print any work then there's the library. Tutorials are not compulsary but for a 60 point course I had 1 tutorial per month, so if you're doing two courses probably 2 tutorials a month, I don't think that'll break the bank.

EmmEve

wow wish i could get ANY funding. I can't afford to do a course.