What Course ?

peainapod

I'm a single mother of 2 on benefits, and I really want to do something with my brain !
Going to college isn't really an option as any course I've taken an interest in is running at the wrong time for me. Childcare isn't an option either as it costs a fortune and I don't have anyone close to me to babysit.
I want to try a distance learning course but after reading some threads on this forum I'm scared too. Everyone is on about rip off home learning companies, just wondering if anyone has tried one that was fairly priced and was good ? I want it to give me a RECOGNIZED qualification at the end, something around an A-level ?
Thanks !

pearl123

Hi peainapod, This might sound crazy but why don't you try the Open University. I only did o'levels about 22 years ago, but this year I did an opening course with the OU to see if I was capable of studying at OU level. The OU does accept people with no qualifications whatsoever. Also a very good point is that if you are on benefits very often study is free of charge. Also the materials are of a superb standard and the telephone tutors on the Openings courses are so supportive. (Couldn't be kinder). I was rather scared about doing a course at first, but the more I looked at the OU website the greater courage I gained. Also the great thing with the OU is one can finish a course and then have a break a start again on a new couse when it is convient. (I've taken a years break) I'm aiming to get an Certificate first, then a diploma and then I hope a degree. Each qualification is an achievement in itself. Anyway have a think about it. I'll put up a few links.





http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/atoz/where-to-start.htm

• Openings courses are a great place to start if you are uncertain.

• Exploring sport online (Y164)
• Introducing environment (Y181)
• Making sense of the arts (Y180)
• Starting with law (Y166)
• Starting with maths (Y162)
• Starting with psychology (Y183)
• Understanding children (Y156)
• Understanding health (Y178)
• Understanding management (Y159)
• Understanding society (Y177)

RE: financial support - if you are on a low income or benefits.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/explained/financial-support.shtml



Regards

Oldernotwiser

I second the idea of the OU but suggest you see a Careers Adviser first to discuss your options. You can make an appointment with Nextstep, whose services are free.

https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Good luck.

peainapod

Thanks guys I'll check that out ! Can't believe they offer such financial support ! Never thought (especially with the uni fees flying up) that I'd ever get a uni level qualification, but now it looks possible ! Thanks ever so much

Mankysteve

I'm personal very sceptical about most of the private Distance learning course after hearing so many horror stories, but never heard a bad thing about the OU.

pearl123

Hi again Peainapod, Being on benefits you will probably find that you won't have to pay any fees at all with the OU. The openings courses are very managable and they would give you a good idea what it's like. Good luck.

"A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step"

lindens

have you checked out your local adult learning centre (just google adult learning centre "town" and loads will pop up). they are usually connected to the council and have free creches.they also do heavily reduced fees

OUStudent

I also woul reccomend the OU, I am about to embark on a BSC Honours Degree with them starting in February and I am so excited, its daft really but I cant wait to get going

You can do it! Have a look if your quick and I mean quick you could start February if you wanted but the deadline for finance application is on various dates throughout December so you will need to get a wiggle on

One thing I noticed from my finance application is if you are planning on doing a degree they will finance you for as long as it is possible for the degree to be completed within 5 years, it works on a points basis for a degree you need 360 points which is made up of point from various modules you study throughout they years, I am doing 90 points in my first year which is made up of 3 seperate courses.

You dont have to do this as suggested give them a ring the support you get from them is fantastic they will point you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you and well done on making a difficult decision that could potentially change your life for the better

HTH

pearl123

Phew OUStudent 90 points in one year! That seems quite alot of work to me. I couldn't do it, as it would interupt family life too much. I've noticed, the some poeple especially younger students really go for it as they want to get their degree quickly. I'm not meaning to burst your bubble OUStudent - 90 points in one year would be quite an achievement and with focus it would be do-able. (I believe the OU classes part-time study at 60 unit in a year.) 60 units usually takes around 9 months depending on the course.

However, my advice to most people, especially if you're new to OU, or haven't studied for a long time would be to book one course at a time and see how it goes. It seems crazy to put oneself under pressure in the first years unless one is absolutely certain not only of ones ability but also the direction on wants to go in. My advice would be to test the ground first. I personally am glad to have a break between courses.

OUStudent

You hit the nail on the head for me, the exact thing I want to do is get it done as quickly as possible, I was going to do 120 per year so I could graduate in 3years but decided to make it a bit easier by doing an average of 90, I am 32 at the moment so even 4 years is quite a long time the sooner the better for me.

I am sure I read though in the finance application that they would give you a maximum of 5 years funding to gain the degree so really the absolute bare minimum you could do if you wanted a degree would be 3 years at 60 points then 2 years at 90 points, the level 2 and 3 courses though have a greater poin allocation some on their own can be 60 or 90 points. I may be wrong but I am sure I did read something I dont think there is any way you could do only 1 course a year at 30 points in theory it would take you 12 years to gain enough points for a degree.

As said though you dont need to go for a degree they offer a wide range of diplomas, foundation degrees and even just certificates, the funding with you being on benefits would be really straight forward as well

pearl123

Some interesting links which may come in handy - if you have not already found them.
The first two belong to the Open University.

http://labspace.open.ac.uk/ -gives a large range of sample study materials at various levels, therefore very helpful in getting an idea what to expect. Free to use. Introductory and level 1 are the easyest levels and were most people are advised to start.

http://www.open.ac.uk/platform/

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=206

The great thing with OU is that you can build up points as slowly or as quickly as you want. You do however, have to get permission from the OU if you want to do more than 120 points in one year.
I was not aware of any free fees time limit on the time one takes to finish an OU degree. (Interesting I will look into that.) Certainly on the open platform forum there's a thread where people have been taking over 26 year to get their degree. Still remarkable achievements. The personal Blogs on open university platform website can be inspiring/charming too.

One other thing that worth mentioning. For those who's earning are too high. You can use tesco points on level 1 courses.