Open degree?

nimbo

the open university don't like to name subjects awarded by other universities.... there may be overlaps with things that have been taught, and things that they teach, and for some of the more grey areas (such as sociology they may link into psychology, etc...)

i had 240 points in English literature where i imagine there would have been little overlap but still if i used the full transferred amount they would only allow an open degree.... the paperwork says i have transferred 240 pts at levels 1 and 2 with a BA weighting.....

i would suggest transferring the credit - it takes some time and they will need specific documents such as course synopsis, and transcripts, and see how much they would allow you to transfer for each route, as after transferring it you don't have to use it anyway.....

but honestly i was working toward a named degree which would have taken me a further 5 years, (as i thought they did only allow you to transfer 60 pts if you wanted it named) and i got bored..... there is a chance that you could do more than 60 pts in a year - but you would have no life.

nimbo

i should add the 60 pts for a named degree thing was like 4 or 5 years ago maybe....

it could have changed.

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

From what I can see, you could do a history module and get a Social Sciences degree as you have a free choice of 60 points.

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b06.htm

Are you sure you'd only be able to claim 120 points if you did this; I would've expected that you'd get the full 240 for 2 years HE study in the same subject.

Obviously I'm wrong if you've already checked it with the OU, in which case I apologise.

I haven't checked but I haven't done all Sociology modules, so I'm going with the worst case scenario.

I have a mix of Psychology (but only at level one), Sociology, Media (but the media modules I took could count towards Sociology at my old uni) and History.

Seems sensible to do as MrsManda says and apply for the credit transfer for a Social Science degree and register for a compatible module in case the points aren't transferred before the module starts, doesn't it?

That way, I will still have the choice of an Open degree but won't have closed the door on a named degree.

And Social Science is closer than many subjects to the field of Health and Social care anyway...?

bestpud

nimbo wrote: »

i should add the 60 pts for a named degree thing was like 4 or 5 years ago maybe....

it could have changed.

I was surprised when my friend told me as I'd assumed they were very reluctant to transfer credits to a named degree, and I think they still are to a certain extent, but they seem better than they were.

When I called about transferring while in my second year at the brick uni, they as good as told me my current course was useless.

They didn't do Sociology then though and they seem to have a wider range of options in the Social Science degree than they did.

I guess I will have to apply and see - I have nothing to lose as I am happy to do a Social Science module anyway.

SailorSam

Do named degrees really mean anything when it comes to getting a job.
You get people doing say History then going to work in the media, or Geography before looking for a career in banking. Didn't Prince William study art before he learnt to fly helicopters.
I think an open degree with the OU shows any future employer that you're good enough to get your head down and do the job in hand.

bestpud

SailorSam wrote: »

Do named degrees really mean anything when it comes to getting a job.
You get people doing say History then going to work in the media, or Geography before looking for a career in banking. Didn't Prince William study art before he learnt to fly helicopters.
I think an open degree with the OU shows any future employer that you're good enough to get your head down and do the job in hand.

You'd hope so, but I wonder if employers are more likely to ignore an application if they have loads and don't immediately recognise the qualification iyswim?

wannabedebtfree_2

You can call an Open Degree a BSc/BA (Hons) in Combined Studies and then list the different modules that it is made up of, e.g. 25% Sociology, 50% Psychology, 25% American History

This is in their frequently asked questions section, I have an Open (Hons) degree and have just been accepted onto a PGCE and have been told by lots and lots of people (employers included) that OU degrees are highly thought of, I purposefully went for an Open degree as it allowed me to choose the modules that I felt were most relevant to what I want to do (teach primary).

Good Luck - OU is brilliant, but bloomin hard work!

Oldernotwiser

bestpud wrote: »

I haven't checked but I haven't done all Sociology modules, so I'm going with the worst case scenario.

I have a mix of Psychology (but only at level one), Sociology, Media (but the media modules I took could count towards Sociology at my old uni) and History.

Seems sensible to do as MrsManda says and apply for the credit transfer for a Social Science degree and register for a compatible module in case the points aren't transferred before the module starts, doesn't it?

That way, I will still have the choice of an Open degree but won't have closed the door on a named degree.

And Social Science is closer than many subjects to the field of Health and Social care anyway...?

I hadn't realised that you'd already done a rather mixed bunch of modules, so I expect that you're right and Mrs M's plan seems like a good one.

You've probably noticed that there are several SS units that relate to H&SC so that should work for you as well.

GIOL.rocks

my friend is doing maths as OU degree course

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I hadn't realised that you'd already done a rather mixed bunch of modules, so I expect that you're right and Mrs M's plan seems like a good one.

You've probably noticed that there are several SS units that relate to H&SC so that should work for you as well.

Yep, but I was only 35 then and knew no better! :rotfl: