studying with the ou....

likabu_2

Martine1081 wrote:

you may find that if you eligible for financial assistance you can also get a course grant worth £250, this will certainly cover any books/stationary/travel to tutorials you may need.

Or if you live in Wales (like me) and are eligible for financial assistance you can get a course grant worth £1000 for books, stationary, travel, childcare etc.:beer:

Lisa

scorpio_princess

All I can do is agree with everything that's been said so far - the issue of support was one of the things I was most worried about when I first signed up, but I needn't have been! The Open University Student Association (OUSA) and 'first class' is a superb source of advice and support; it's a good thing to have around when you're finding something a bit difficult, or you're struggling with word limits or essay questions as there's bound to be plenty of people feeling the same way - you're never alone, and like the others have said, tutors are paid to help as well as mark your work.

I would be wary of 'biting off more than you can chew' to begin with though - I started on a 60 point level 1 course, which was just about manageable with a full time job (for me anyway), but now i've moved up to level 2 I feel organized enough to do a certain amount of 'overlapping' - I personally would never do 2 x 60 pointers at the same time (equivalent to full time study) as I work full time - if I didn't then I might consider it.

I'm also planning on taking GCSE maths at some point - I got a D when I took it at school, and need a C to get on a teacher training course some day - I'm not bad at it, it just doesn't interest me in the slightest (which rather begs the question, if I want to teach English, why does it matter if I can or cannot solve mathematical equations, or completely understand Algebra?) So I will also be in the position of having to combine OU study with a GCSE - not particularly looking forward to it, but hey ho, that's the way it goes!

My advice is to go for it - you'll never know unless you give it a try!

Zziggi

You know how the old phrase goes "if it seems to good to be true, then it probably is..." well this applies to most things in life EXCEPT the Open University. I have been a student with them since 1999 after previously getting a degree from a good red brick university. My experience of being through both systems is that the OU is FAR, FAR, FAR better.

One thing i have learnt the hard way with the OU is that if they recommend something then follow it because they are usually spot-on. Their course descriptions are accurate and if you are in any doubt you can discuss your plans with someone at your regional centre or make an appointment to go look at the course materials at your regional centre. ALso if the course description says you don;t need to buy anything extra, then you won't find that it will cost you anything extra, except you petrol to attend tutorials etc etc. Whilst tutorials are optional, they are highly recommended.

If you have not studied for a long time or if you don't have anything higher than average O-levels/GCSEs then you might like to consider one of their "openings" courses which is a short course that you can take before starting a level 1 course. The 'openings' courses may just give you some confidence to tackle a higher level course. The level 1 courses are a good introduction to the subject area and you do get ALOT of support on level one classes. There are plenty of tutorials which are certainlly worth attending if you possibly can. They are held about one a month in a regional location which may not be very close to home - but attend if you can. You'll get lots of help and support from the tutors and also get to socialise and feel part of something. Many tutors are ex-OU students which i think says alot about the quality and reputation of the OU. Other sources of support can be accessed by you e.g the on-line forum for OU students, you can contact your tutor for help via e-mail/phone. Sometimes there are additional classes put on for study skills/essay writing or whatever. Also there is always the regional centre if you have specific problems or need extra support. If they can offer it,they will.

The courses are comparitively priced and often student can get generous course fee grants and/or extra grant of £250 towards books/petrol to attend tutorials etc. Some students, depending on their income, can get the courses for free and a £250 grant towards petrol/books/internet connection etc etc. If you have a disability then there is extra help available in the form of computer equipment, physical support (if your disability requires it) and other generous financial help.

AS i said before I did a degree the traditional way, i have also done a degree the OU way and i am now doing 2 MSc's with the OU currently. I fully intend to start a PhD with them next year. The only reason i would go elsewhere would be if they simply didn't offer the course I wanted to do. I can't recommend the OU highly enough.

Feel free to PM if you want info.

dag_2

I recommend you visit one or two Open Events before enrolling on a course. You can pick up prospectuses at open events, and discuss your general career aims and interests. For example, speaking personally, I've decided I want to get a degree in Computing - and I'm now doing M150, T175 and M255. However, I started doing T175 before I had decided that I want to go for a particular degree - the advisers at the Open Events will be able to help you choose courses, and think through the implications of your choices.

If you're struggling with basic reading, writing, arithmetic and basic computer skills, you'd be best to contact Learn Direct first.

Also, if you've got little or no idea about your career aims, or if you're unsure of your aims skills or interests, or if you find that your work and study history so far has been a bit all over the place, or a bit sporadic, and there doesn't seem to have been any clear career path - then you'd be well advised to speak to your local Next Step adviser or Learn Direct about that too. Open University Open Events aren't really set up to deliver basic careers advice.

could you do another course along side the ou course? ie i would like to do my gcse maths alongside an ou course (at a local college one night a week) or would you reccomend against it?

Yes you can in theory - however, bear in mind that if you're entitled to a fees award, then studying simultaneously at another college might affect it.

However, do you really need to study both GCSE and OU at the same time? You might be able to do a couple of Level 1 courses with the OU that leads to an appropriate certificate qualification that's as good as a GCSE, if not better. I'd advise you to ask someone at an Open Event about this.

icklejulez

cAn anyone tell me whether child tax credits may change if Im a student with the OU? Im thinking that I could do with my children spending a little more time in childcare to give me some time to do the corse/visit tutorials but I dont know how this works.

Zziggi

icklejulez wrote:

cAn anyone tell me whether child tax credits may change if Im a student with the OU? Im thinking that I could do with my children spending a little more time in childcare to give me some time to do the corse/visit tutorials but I dont know how this works.

No they don't.

Tutorials are optional whilst well worth attending. i guess you either arrange your own childcare so you can attend tutorials/dayschool or you don't attend.

You have to fit your study around your personal circumstances. I *aim* to study most nights 8pm-midnight once the children are in bed but i fail miserably at this.

Karnam

i dont study with OU but let me tell you, i simply cannot work with the baby in the house. she gets sent to her grandparents and i can do some work. or i retreat to british library whilst other half cares for her.

icklejulez

Im lucky Im in a job where I get a lot of breaks. 1/2 hour on and 1/2 hour off sort of thing. Especially if I do a day shift 1:30pm-9:30pm(only PT). Im hoping to do a lot of reading etc in this time and then the work in the evenings when OH is working and DD and DS are fast asleep. Failing this OH will just have to allow me study time. Im only going to start with a 30 point course to see how time consuming it is. Its better than sitting on my backside watching every drama going!