"Top Up" a non-honour degree to full honours?

SteveClarkson_2

Hello all,

I am about to start my final year of study for an OU Open Degree with Honours, with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher.

The problem is, I will be completing my final courses to get the degree in 2010, but because of the way my local authorities work, because I won't get my results (and therefore my degree) until November/December 2010, I won't be able to enrol on the initial teacher training (ITT) until September 2011.

Now, looking at what points I've got, in theory, if I dropped the honours on my degree, I only need to complete 30 points in the coming year - which I had planned to do as a series of 3 very short, 12 week courses. If my thinking is correct, this will get me my degree in plenty of time for September 2010 intake on the ITT.

Question is though, if I drop the honours, that isn't really something I wanted to do - so is it possible to "top up" the extra 60 points I'd need for the honours degree in 2011, "upgrading" my honourless degree to a proper honours degree?


Sorry for waffling! Any suggestions much appreciated!


Steve

mrcow

What ITT do you want to do? Many courses are already filling up.

Were you going to do it with the OU too?

Andy_L

SteveClarkson wrote: »

is it possible to "top up" the extra 60 points I'd need for the honours degree in 2011, "upgrading" my honourless degree to a proper honours degree?

Yes
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/regulation/bd.pdf

Oldernotwiser

You usually need an honours degree to go into teaching, particularly as primary teaching is so competitive. Additionally, will the short courses be at the right level for you to complete your degree?

Do you already have the GCSEs required for primary?

liney

I know the OU allow a maximum of 3,10 point level 1 courses as part of their degree set up, but are you sure this is allowed in a foundation degree and not just honors?

Incidently you can top up a foundation degree to honours at a later date if you wish. I remember reading about it when planning my courses.

Anihilator

Are you sure that they will let you in with an open university degree anyway? With the utmost respect the competition is going to be extremely strong and someone who has cut and shut a degree together by working out the easiest way won't be exactly appealing.

Also direct off a government source regarding the PGCE qualifications.

When should you apply?

Generally speaking, the GTTR accepts applications from mid-September to June for courses starting the following September or October.
However, be aware that courses in primary teaching, PE and history are very popular and there is considerable competition for places. To guarantee that your first choice of course provider will consider you, you need to apply before the end of November in the year before you wish to train.


Talk about !!!! poor planning.

Oldernotwiser

liney wrote: »

I know the OU allow a maximum of 3,10 point level 1 courses as part of their degree set up, but are you sure this is allowed in a foundation degree and not just honors?

Incidently you can top up a foundation degree to honours at a later date if you wish. I remember reading about it when planning my courses.

A Foundation Degree isn't the same thing as a degree without Honours.

You certainly can't go into teaching with only a Foundation Degree!

Oldernotwiser

Anihilator wrote: »

Are you sure that they will let you in with an open university degree anyway?.

That's quite ridiculous - an OU degree is very well thought of and will be totally acceptable, although I do agree that trying to get in without a full Honours degree will be pretty well impossible.

Anihilator

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

That's quite ridiculous - an OU degree is very well thought of and will be totally acceptable, although I do agree that trying to get in without a full Honours degree will be pretty well impossible.

I agree in theory about OU degrees however not when the person has cut and shut a degree with irrelevent, easy pointless modules.

Oldernotwiser

Anihilator wrote: »

I agree in theory about OU degrees however not when the person has cut and shut a degree with irrelevent, easy pointless modules.

That's why I queried whether the 12 week courses he mentioned were at the right level for this stage in his degree.

vaporate

Anihilator wrote: »

I agree in theory about OU degrees however not when the person has cut and shut a degree with irrelevent, easy pointless modules.

Getting a honours degree and not a ordinary degree is the last of your worries. Finding a vacancy and then sticking the job out is another story.

Can guarantee you will get some slack if your a female. I received sexist attitude from female heads (as expected).

Anyhow, open university degrees are as good as any. So cut the snobby attitude.

Secondly, there is NO certain perfect degree subject. Unless you do primary education and that is what you want to do straight off the bat.

Also, lastly, make sure you get 2:2 or HIGHER. Get a 3rd and BOOM. Although I tell a lie, you can improve on this if you're keen with becoming a TA first and work your way up to a teacher level. ect.

www.tda.gov.uk

Read up if needed.