Open degree?

Oldernotwiser

bestpud wrote: »

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

I do hope you didn't take my last post the wrong way - reading it back it sounds a bit "off"!

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I do hope you didn't take my last post the wrong way - reading it back it sounds a bit "off"!

No, not at all - just made me smile as I know what I'm like - attention span of a gnat!

shegirl

nimbo wrote: »

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.

The credits they can transfer now can be limited.A friend of mine left uni a couple of years ago after 2 years doing a sociology degree,was on 2:1 at the time.He's decided he really wants to actually finish a degree so contacted OU on thursday as he now has a family and new job so wants to do it around that.Unfortunately, they told him that not only would it be too late now for him to transfer credit and start this year as transfer takes 8 weeks and that it's best to do it first otherwise he may have to start from the beginning (level one) as wouldn't be likely to be accepted onto level 3 and maybe not 2.As there is apparently only one level 3 sociology module he'd also have to go for an open degree or combined social sciences instead and they'd be able to transfer a max of 180 credits but it could well be as low as 40.

It put him off as he didn't want to have to go back in levels and take longer over it so has decided to business studies or leadership and management instead as he'd rather start afresh than have all the hassle,going back in level and having to change his degree!I guess he's thinking of employment there too,although he did originally have his heart set on teaching.But,bless him,he's so desperate to prove himself to his other half (one of my best friends) and her daughter thinking that as a man he should be doing the best to have a well paid career that he thinks doing business or management would be better for them too rather than the faffing to do what he wanted lol

ali-t

I know you have said you are not looking at graduate careers but would it not be more profitable for you longer term in terms of the level of qualification and the doors that will open for you, to do an open degree and then follow it up with a professional post graduate qualification e.g. Com Ed, social work, Ed Psych etc. You would be able to get a degree the quickest way you can and then get a specific post grad qualification after. This would make you more employable as there would be a degree plus a post grad.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

bestpud wrote: »

I'm looking at my options with the OU and considering an open degree, as I can transfer more points and I like the idea of choosing any module.

However, I have this idea it may be disregarded by employers, or considered inferior to a named degree...?

I'm not looking at graduate careers and don't necessarily need a degree for the type of work I do, but I don't want a degree that isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Any thoughts, please?

I think its the contrary, employers see an OU degree as a very good one because it requires a high level of motivation and commitment.
they are very well supported in terms of materials but you are on your own, tutor support varies from course to course too.

I am in my penultimate year doing an hons degree, I have transferred some credit but it is well regarded and work have funded some of it, so I hope it will help me with promotion.

ali-t

Desperate_Housewife wrote: »

I think its the contrary, employers see an OU degree as a very good one because it requires a high level of motivation and commitment.
.

I disagree with this and as someone who sits on interview panels and leets for posts I would give preference to someone with a degree from a university. I suppose the line of work will have a bearing on this but in my line of work (which sounds similar to that of the OP), where qualifications are required, a professional qualification from a university that is not the OU is given more credence.

There tends to be placements where practice is critiqued and honed and this isn't something that is replicated in part time study through the OU.

As it happens I have studied both with the OU and at conventional universities and found the isolation of OU study quite difficult so I am not slating OU degrees but don't think they are given the credit that you have attributed to them in practice.

bestpud

Thanks all - good to hear opinions.

Shegirl - I'd go for social science if I did a named degree and I know someone who has just transferred 60 credits from just four modules, and they only had details for three of those. That was from the same uni I went to and all at level one. I'm confident I will be able to transfer at least 120 points.

My friend has never studied with the OU before and only up to level one at a brick uni and she has registered on a level 2 course easily enough. She said they advise strongly against it but they don't actually stop you starting with a level 2 or 3.

They are very pessimistic on the phone and have put me off before now, but, from talking to people about this, I think they give the worst case scenario tbh.

ali-t - I am happy with the job I have so will only look for something different if I am sacked (sincerely hope not :eek:) or something major happens in my workplace.

I can't afford to do a post grad qualification, for the next few years at least, but that's something to consider, thank you.

shegirl

bestpud wrote: »

Thanks all - good to hear opinions.

Shegirl - I'd go for social science if I did a named degree and I know someone who has just transferred 60 credits from just four modules, and they only had details for three of those. That was from the same uni I went to and all at level one. I'm confident I will be able to transfer at least 120 points.

My friend has never studied with the OU before and only up to level one at a brick uni and she has registered on a level 2 course easily enough. She said they advise strongly against it but they don't actually stop you starting with a level 2 or 3.

They are very pessimistic on the phone and have put me off before now, but, from talking to people about this, I think they give the worst case scenario tbh.

ali-t - I am happy with the job I have so will only look for something different if I am sacked (sincerely hope not :eek:) or something major happens in my workplace.

I can't afford to do a post grad qualification, for the next few years at least, but that's something to consider, thank you.

I'll pass that on to my friend,thanks for that info He was very disappointed when he got off the phone to them as they weren't very helpful and certainly did give the worst case scenario!