The Open University degree - same as 'normal' degree?

Lyndsers

I am in the same position as Karen3W, I have just completed my first 60 points with the OU and now can't decide whether to continue in Maths or Pscyhology. I want to go in to Primary teaching once I have finished the degree. I am thinking about doing an 'Open Degree' (BSc Hons) combining subjects from maths and psychology, but don't know if this would be acceptable for going in to teaching or not. The only info I have managed to get back from Uni's offering the Primary PGCE is that you can have a degree in any subject but that you have to show that your education has been centred on the national curriculum. I don't want to study a degree that would give me a disadvantage but I really would love to study courses from both the fields I am interested in. If anyone has gone in to teaching with an 'Open Degree' it would be really useful to hear your experirences.
Thanks x

TheEffect

I'm 19 and after completing my A Levels last year, I decided to take a year out and accepted a job working with special needs children in a secondary school. I start the OU in October studying BSc Computing and Psychology. I'll be working 5 days a week, and doing 120 points a year at OU, so it's going to be very time comsuming and a challenge, but I'm confident I'll be able to cope. Especially as we get a lot of time off e.g summer holidays.

My future career goal is to be a secondary ICT teacher. By the time I've finished my OU degree, I'm hoping the 4 years experience of working within a secondary school and the OU degree will be of benefit when going into teaching.

Oldernotwiser

TheEffect wrote: »

I'm 19 and after completing my A Levels last year, I decided to take a year out and accepted a job working with special needs children in a secondary school. I start the OU in October studying BSc Computing and Psychology. I'll be working 5 days a week, and doing 120 points a year at OU, so it's going to be very time comsuming and a challenge, but I'm confident I'll be able to cope. Especially as we get a lot of time off e.g summer holidays.

My future career goal is to be a secondary ICT teacher. By the time I've finished my OU degree, I'm hoping the 4 years experience of working within a secondary school and the OU degree will be of benefit when going into teaching.

ICT is a shortage subject but it would probably be better if you did the whole degree in this field and you would also find it easier if you took courses that run across the traditional OU year (January/February to October) rather than the academic year or having the summer off will have no advantage for you.

I think that you'll be pushing your luck trying to do it in 3 years but you can always drop down to 60 points a year if you find it too much.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I would suggest that anyone doing 120 points staggers their course start dates - for example, one course starting in October and the second starting in February. That way you have 4 months getting up to speed in the first subject, so you know where you are when the 2nd course starts, and then the second course isn't quite at full speed when you are finishing off the first course.

Late Spring is somewhat manic though, as you will quite possibly have 2 TMAs for the end of April, one or two iCMAs for the 1st - 2nd week of May, then one ECA or exam in the first week or so of June at the same time as TMA04 or 05 is due for your second course!

But that quickly slows down again and it seems like you have all the time in the world once it goes back down to one course again.

Zanyzoe

Hi all,
I´m in a bit of a pickle and I just wanted to ask your advice. I´ve completed 2 years of a BA Hons Combined arts degree at the uni of Liverpool and am currently on my Year Abroad as an english language assistant (which is the 3rd year). I have one year left before I graduate but I have fallen in love with La Palma (the island I´m on) the lifestyle and a rather handsome spanish boy. Now I really don´t want to return to the Uk and am thinking of completing via the OU.
Is the OU as good as graduating from the regular uni I´m at? Is it worth leaving with just one year to go? Please help- I´m really stuck!
Thanks.

Voyager2002

Zanyzoe wrote: »

Hi all,
I´m in a bit of a pickle and I just wanted to ask your advice. I´ve completed 2 years of a BA Hons Combined arts degree at the uni of Liverpool and am currently on my Year Abroad as an english language assistant (which is the 3rd year). I have one year left before I graduate but I have fallen in love with La Palma (the island I´m on) the lifestyle and a rather handsome spanish boy. Now I really don´t want to return to the Uk and am thinking of completing via the OU.
Is the OU as good as graduating from the regular uni I´m at? Is it worth leaving with just one year to go? Please help- I´m really stuck!
Thanks.

Yes, the OU is as good as a "regular" university, although Liverpool is above the average. However, the bureaucracy involved in getting credit for your previous work and so being able to graduate after just a year would be incredible. Your life would be easier if you could bear to spend another year in the UK -- actually more like nine months, if that.

Oldernotwiser

Zanyzoe wrote: »

Hi all,
I´m in a bit of a pickle and I just wanted to ask your advice. I´ve completed 2 years of a BA Hons Combined arts degree at the uni of Liverpool and am currently on my Year Abroad as an english language assistant (which is the 3rd year). I have one year left before I graduate but I have fallen in love with La Palma (the island I´m on) the lifestyle and a rather handsome spanish boy. Now I really don´t want to return to the Uk and am thinking of completing via the OU.
Is the OU as good as graduating from the regular uni I´m at? Is it worth leaving with just one year to go? Please help- I´m really stuck!
Thanks.

The island will be there in a year's time although nobody can guarantee that the boy will!

You could finish your degree with the OU but it would have to be unnamed as they don't offer languages at a high level; the OU is also expensive for study outside the UK.

I'd finish your degree at Liverpool - even if you decide to defer it for a year while you sort yourself out.

robmartin337

Hi peps,

I am currently studying for the BA (Hons) in Modern Language Studies which I hope to be completing over the next few years with the OU. I currently have a LLB(Hons) from a conventional Uni and I have been teaching ESL for a little over 2 years (I have a CELTA) I have also just finished a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Educational Studies through the OU. I intend to be in the field of ESL for a few years yet until my OU BA studies are complete.

Do people think I have got a good chance of getting on a PGCE/PGDE in Secondary MFL?

Rob

zon

hello. im looking to start a degree with OU and i want to know what would be the fastest period to finish the degree and what is the qualification criteria for help with fees.

radarhunnihawk

Zon
Fastest time you could complete your degree in would be three years if you took 120 points per year, (roughly translated into two courses per year.) If your working full time though its tricky to impossible to do everything.

As for Financial help if you google Open university financial support then it will come up. If you qualify then you get your fees paid or partially paid and can get £200 to buy books etc.