Going back to full time study what support is available?

KiKi

Dunroamin wrote: »

A year with the OU won't be equivalent to a year at a traditional university but it may well be acceptable as an entry qualification.

Not necessarily true - it depends entirely on what the module was, and how many modules the OP did in a year. If the OP did a third year module, it wouldn't be an entry qualification, it may well mean that the OP can reduce the work required at a brick uni.

falko89 wrote: »

I already did a year with the OU and got a certificate in IT, I think of the top of my head its 60 credits, so need another 240 is it?

360 for an honours degree; 300 for a degree - but it's the former that's considered a 'degree' by employers.

60 credits is the equivalent of half a year at a brick uni, but depends which level the module was.

KiKi

falko89

KiKi wrote: »

Not necessarily true - it depends entirely on what the module was, and how many modules the OP did in a year. If the OP did a third year module, it wouldn't be an entry qualification, it may well mean that the OP can reduce the work required at a brick uni.




360 for an honours degree; 300 for a degree - but it's the former that's considered a 'degree' by employers.

60 credits is the equivalent of half a year at a brick uni, but depends which level the module was.

KiKi

It was only level 1, I am on to level 2 now.

falko89

Listerbelle wrote: »

Well done on deciding to improve your life

Why not continue in paid employment and studying via the OU?

Do NOT expect anyone or any government organization to provide support for your full time study. Grants are long gone. You will get nothing unless you are studying Nursing or Midwifery. You MAY be eligible for a student loan.

I returned to full time study aged 33 less than ten years ago. Not a penny (other than the repayable student loan) was available then. I cannot imagine that things would have changed.

Try to get a higher-paying part-time job, something like a care-assistant will pay more than retail.

Good luck with everything.

What exactly does a Care Assistant job involve? We don't have many jobs going around here but these care assistant jobs are advertised weekly, They seem to have a high staff turnover they are advertised so much.

suburbanwifey

falko89 wrote: »

What exactly does a Care Assistant job involve? We don't have many jobs going around here but these care assistant jobs are advertised weekly, They seem to have a high staff turnover they are advertised so much.

Not sure it would be your thing to be honest. Wiping the bottoms of old people is involved in it. You think you could do that? maybe working in a shop will be more palatable. It takes a special kind of person to be able to work in the care industry and all it entails. It well known for being poorly paid for what is expected of you. This is why there is a very high staff turnover.

dizzyrascal

You have 60 credits at level one. In simple terms you need 120 for each level to make up an honours degree, so 360 credits in total.
Part time study at 60 credits per year will take 6 years. If you want to study full time you will need to do a further 2.5 years of study. You might be able to reduce that time by taking courses all year round and not taking any breaks. Courses with the OU can start in October, February and some in April/May. You will need to do a bit of forward planning to do a degree this way.
I would try and stay on the old fee structure if I were you. This way you can graduate without any debt. If your household income is low you should get all fees paid and the small grant. Working part time will allow you to study full time. Also check out the OU's library scheme. You should be able to use your local university's library.

dawn_rose

hiya when i did my degree i did mine full time which was 9hrs a week class contact i also worked 30hrs a week in retail (saving up for a deposit on mortgage) i did 3 jobs over summer break and at christmas. Grants dont really exist anymore it was all loans when i went and i got my first one made interest on it for three years ad paid it back in full so earned 300 in interest. good luck with your course.

dizzyrascal

You do get a small grant of about £260 per year from the OU for books and travel etc.
Also, once you have got say 240 credits you can start applying for graduate jobs. This is because most companies will accept that you are working towards a degree. It might mean your study has to go back to part time but don't miss out on a dream job just because you think you must have graduated.

marybelle01

I totally and utterly agree with everyone encouraging you to do this. Education is always worthwhile. But what it doesn't do is get you out of a village in the back of beyond, it doesn't get graduate jobs into your village in the back of beyond, and it doesn't improve public transport. All of which I seem to recall you saying are problems too. At the very least, before anything else, get a driving licence. All the qualifications in the world won't get you to work that isn't there!

falko89

marybelle01 wrote: »

I totally and utterly agree with everyone encouraging you to do this. Education is always worthwhile. But what it doesn't do is get you out of a village in the back of beyond, it doesn't get graduate jobs into your village in the back of beyond, and it doesn't improve public transport. All of which I seem to recall you saying are problems too. At the very least, before anything else, get a driving licence. All the qualifications in the world won't get you to work that isn't there!

Graduate jobs around here seem to out number basic jobs by about 5 to 1, probably because working in Belfast pays more than working out here so people would rather go there and its only 35 miles down the road, but for me its not the money that's important, its the quality of the job and conditions etc.