OU students

Jo4

I have been awarded a certificate by the OU. I contacted the OU to ask them what was the equivalent of the certificate and the person I spoke to said it was the equivalent of a HNC. My question is why doesn't the OU allow students to graduate with a certificate when other universities allow students to graduate with a HNC? It might give us OU students a lift to continue studying for a full degree.

Oldernotwiser

HNC is a certificate - that's what the C stands for!

Jo4

Oldernotwiser wrote:

HNC is a certificate - that's what the C stands for!

Yes I know but if the OUs Certificate is equal to a HNC why do you graduate with a HNC and not OUs Certificate?

Oldernotwiser

It's only a difference in name; there are so many different courses nowadays that one tends to take the best known ("A" levels, HNC/D, degree) and describe the others as equivalent to them. eg "BTEC National is equivalent to "A" levels". OU certificates and Diplomas are comparatively new so they're less recognised and need to be compared to something. Equally, many people haven't heard of HNC and I always describe it as being "like the first year of a degree" It depends what you're familiar with.

saintstreaky

I'm pretty sure that you've been misinformed (or have misunderstood). The OU Certificate is not directly equivalent to an HNC. An HNC is roughly the equivalent of the first year of a degree (i.e. 120 credits, though some HNCs require up to 150 I think) whereas an OU Certificate is only 60 credits. The level of study is the same (first year university) but the quantity is different.

Similarly, an OU Diploma (120 credits) is not equivalent to an HND (240 credits).

The OU Certificate is a 'University Qualification' and unfortunately not a nationally recognised qualification in the same way as an HNC. Indeed the OU's own website says simply "Our certificates and diplomas are a way of marking your achievement on the way to gaining a degree." That said some (e.g. the Certificate in Accounting) are accredited by professional bodies.

I'm not knocking them, btw (I have an OU Cert in Health & Social Care).

cazziebo

saintstreaky wrote:

I'm pretty sure that you've been misinformed (or have misunderstood). The OU Certificate is not directly equivalent to an HNC. An HNC is roughly the equivalent of the first year of a degree (i.e. 120 credits, though some HNCs require up to 150 I think) whereas an OU Certificate is only 60 credits. The level of study is the same (first year university) but the quantity is different.

Similarly, an OU Diploma (120 credits) is not equivalent to an HND (240 credits).

I think the certificates and diplomas differ - the OU give an equivalent which reflect where each one sits in the hierarchy of national qualifications. (SCQF or something!). My OU diploma was at post graduate level but is 60 points. One year and a lot of work! And it also carries the same - if not more - kudos than the full time equivalent.

When I was a full time student a million years ago, HNCs and HNDs didn't graduate either, although there was sometimes a presentation ceremony and the word graduate only referred to those who had attained a degree from a traditional university.

Good on you for doing an OU course! It's a great way to learn - and addictive!

Caz

CIS

An OU cert (not post grad) is a certificate of Higher Education, this is ranked differently on the NQF/FHEQ to an HNC

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Qualifications_Framework

Jo4

THANKS for the responses!

Jo4

I received my certificate on Saturday morning via the post.