Choosing a distance learning degree - need advice

onthewayout

Last week I found out my work will fund distance learning courses. All the way up to a degree if I want. The catch is I'd have to apply before starting the qualification, and I've already taken two modules with the Open University. I'm not going to chance withdrawing and transferring the credit to a different degree, not when I'm a continuing student entitled to pay the old (much lower) fees til I graduate.

What I could do instead (stop me if this sounds bonkers) is a totally separate degree with another university. I work part-time, so I think it is doable. The grant is for up to £2000 per year, which would fully cover a University of London External System degree. I know you don't get a tutor and you have to plan your own timetable, but I've always been a bookworm :-) so I think I can hack it. And UoL seem a lot more flexible than the OU about doubling up modules. If I have time, I could do 120 credits a year and graduate by 2015. My OU degree will take at least 2 years longer, and I do think having no degree will hold me back career wise - at least with my current employer. There's a reason why they are willing to pay for study after all.

Assuming this isn't a totally stupid idea, I need to work out what subject to take. My OU degree is in Computing & IT, so I should try to get something that complements it. I don't have to go with UoL, or do a full undergrad degree, but the money is only available for something that leads to an "academic qualification".

Penny for your thoughts?

Dunroamin

The London external degree has an excellent reputation and is rather more academic, particularly in the early stages, than the OU. However, unless you have some particular reason for rushing it, you might be better to take your time and not double up.

What sort of work are you in at present and what are your career aims?

onthewayout

Thanks for your answer. My main reason to hurry is so I'll be eligible for better jobs with my current employer. I work in a university library, and I like it here but I feel very conscious that I have no chance of moving up until I get my own degree. I can't become a librarian as a non-graduate, and in other university departments I'd be limited to junior admin work with no responsibility or autonomy.

I don't want to quit the OU, but they have turned down my request to take two modules at once next year. If I keep studying one at a time, I won't graduate before I'm 38... and I can't wait that long to start a real career.

Do you think I should change industry completely to start a professional career as a non-graduate? Then my problem is choosing where to try. I've posted another thread about careers advice.

Dunroamin wrote: »

The London external degree has an excellent reputation and is rather more academic, particularly in the early stages, than the OU. However, unless you have some particular reason for rushing it, you might be better to take your time and not double up.

What sort of work are you in at present and what are your career aims?

Voyager2002

My immediate thought: since you work for a university, don't they make it particularly easy for you to take the degrees they offer themselves?

Otherwise, try to talk with a manager about the OU, and perhaps argue that the modules you have completed up to now were part of a different degree. The most sensible outcome would be for them to sponsor you to complete a relevant OU degree, and I would hope that someone would see it that way.

agrinnall

As an alternative to doing a degree you might want to investigate doing a Masters instead. I did a MSc in Information and Library studies (full time 2010 - 2011) and the head of department told us that although they normally expect applicants to have a good first degree they actually have discretion to accept people without a degree who have a work background that would be suitable for doing the course. Many ILS Masters degrees are now offered through distance learning and can be completed in 2 years. There's almost certainly enough time to enrol now for September start so you could be finished in 2014. Take a look at the CILIP website for accredited courses http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/accreditation/pages/default.aspx

dizzyrascal

I think looking into a masters would be a good idea, especially in the area you are working in but if you can't be accepted with your current qualification, can you take a certificate or diploma from the OU and start your new degree elsewhere (considering the conditions laid down by work) or would it be worth completing your OU degree and then starting a masters which will be paid for by your employer.
I don't think your age is an issue by the way.
The OU will let you study 120 modules per year but you will have to speak to an adviser and explain how you think it will fit in to your lifestyle. Perhaps you can take overlapping courses rather than two that start at the same time. I can't see a problem if you work part time.

caz156

It's worth checking out RDI - they are a distance learning company that actually offer university degrees.

My friend is about to start an Anglia Ruskin University IT degree this summer - she enrolled quick before the fees go up in September and I think the whole degree is costing her less than £7k.

She gets a tutor for each module too, and she'll be finished in 3 years.

Might be worth a google search?

Good luck!

onthewayout

Thanks Voyager, both good tips and I have tried them yesterday, but I don't think it's going to help.

I can take my own employer's courses, but I'd have to wait til Clearing and pick a degree with spare places, and I'd have to be available for classes just like a full time student. Because the money is for people who are first of all a member of staff, they won't let me study any faster than with the OU (60 credits a year), and my choice of modules would be limited to ones where I can go to classes without missing work. To be honest, they don't actually want people to do this. They prefer distance learning courses for flexibility.

My boss said they would get in trouble for discrimination if they give me support for an OU degree I've already started. It's a longstanding policy and quite a few people have been turned down in the past. He suggested I withdraw from my degree and re-enrol (transferring my credit), but he can't promise me 100% support and by quitting now, I would lose the right to pay the old lower fees.

So it really is a new degree or nothing. :think:

Voyager2002 wrote: »

My immediate thought: since you work for a university, don't they make it particularly easy for you to take the degrees they offer themselves?

Otherwise, try to talk with a manager about the OU, and perhaps argue that the modules you have completed up to now were part of a different degree. The most sensible outcome would be for them to sponsor you to complete a relevant OU degree, and I would hope that someone would see it that way.

hcb42

I tried doubling up once with the OU - and work. I couldnt do it.

I know a lot do, and it depends how stressful your job is and how many hours you work, but it I were you I would either put the OU on hold, assuming you can still graduate in the time frame, or just complete it and dont take any funding, as the deal you have now is so much better than the new fee structure.

I am in similar situation, could do law degree with them in four years, but that would be under the new fee structure, whereas as I just graduated last year, I could do a new open degree with some transfer, and do the same courses for less money. AS I dont want to be a lawyer, it is for interest only, I think I will take the cheaper option.

onthewayout

I'd like to keep up my OU Computing degree whatever happens. The only problem I have with the OU is they won't let me use the spare time I have at the moment to take extra credits. I did ask, but because I failed a module last year (while I was working a lot more hours than now) I was turned down.

So the opportunity to get a second degree a lot faster, at no cost, did get me thinking. But maybe I should change jobs instead, and try to get some IT experience. I've been looking at library masters degrees as posted above, and coming round to the idea that I don't actually want to be a librarian. I'm happy on the desk talking to the students, but the back office work I've done has been pretty dull... and that's the more professional side of the job.

Should I be trying to jump ship now to another company, maybe for an IT helpdesk apprenticeship, rather than claiming money for courses and staying put? The library is a nice friendly place to work, but am I just wasting time if I know it isn't my career?

dizzyrascal wrote: »

I think looking into a masters would be a good idea, especially in the area you are working in but if you can't be accepted with your current qualification, can you take a certificate or diploma from the OU and start your new degree elsewhere (considering the conditions laid down by work) or would it be worth completing your OU degree and then starting a masters which will be paid for by your employer.
I don't think your age is an issue by the way.
The OU will let you study 120 modules per year but you will have to speak to an adviser and explain how you think it will fit in to your lifestyle. Perhaps you can take overlapping courses rather than two that start at the same time. I can't see a problem if you work part time.

[Deleted User]

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/undergrad/courses/information-studies/library-studies-dl/

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/?view=CourseDetail&code=DUDLIB1&page=

What about these ones? They seem relevant to your work?