part-time Open Uni help.

xsupercarlx

Long story short, I started a full time Uni course years ago, picked the wrong course, ended up dropping out at the final year because I couldn't bear to think of another year doing something I ended up hating.

Now I would like to do an open uni course where I can study and work.

I contacted the SLC to see if I would be entitled to course funding and I found that I am, great. But they said I would have to do part time as I have already had full time funding and 'may' not be entitled to full-time funding.

Okay, that's fine, I'll consider that the consequence of my past actions. But how many credits could I study each year and still be considered part-time?

Is the open uni flexible with these things or is thirty credits, sixty credits and one hundred and twenty credits each year your only option?

It would be nice I I could do 90 credits each year and finish the course in four years rather than six, but if I have to do it in six, then so be it.


Thanks guys

sapphireeye

I think the OU are quite flexible but it's a case of when the course start dates and end dates are. Usually the start dates are around October/November and then January/February. So say you start a module in October, it'll run until around June time (this can be variable but most seem to take 6-8 months regardless of whether they're 30 or 60 points) and if you want to do another course within the same year then you'd have to start in January/February which means you have a few months where you're juggling two courses. It's all down to whether you can handle two different courses at the same time and manage your time effectively. I know some people do study 120 credits a year on a part-time basis (ie. around a full-time job) but I can imagine it's a lot of work. However I think that regardless of whether you're studying a 60 point and a 30 point course or two 60 point courses, there'd still be an overlap of a couple of months, just maybe the 30 credit course might be less full-on than a 60 credit course.

In terms of the finance, I'm not sure if you can only do 60 credits a year if you're considered part-time, or whether the SLC are flexible as well. I would have thought that if you only studied for 2 years full-time then you would still be able to study for another couple of years full-time (I had always thought the limit was five years but perhaps I'm wrong?) but I suppose that's only a question the SLC can answer.

I hope that's a little bit of help...

xsupercarlx

sapphireeye wrote: »

I think the OU are quite flexible but it's a case of when the course start dates and end dates are. Usually the start dates are around October/November and then January/February. So say you start a module in October, it'll run until around June time (this can be variable but most seem to take 6-8 months regardless of whether they're 30 or 60 points) and if you want to do another course within the same year then you'd have to start in January/February which means you have a few months where you're juggling two courses. It's all down to whether you can handle two different courses at the same time and manage your time effectively. I know some people do study 120 credits a year on a part-time basis (ie. around a full-time job) but I can imagine it's a lot of work. However I think that regardless of whether you're studying a 60 point and a 30 point course or two 60 point courses, there'd still be an overlap of a couple of months, just maybe the 30 credit course might be less full-on than a 60 credit course.

In terms of the finance, I'm not sure if you can only do 60 credits a year if you're considered part-time, or whether the SLC are flexible as well. I would have thought that if you only studied for 2 years full-time then you would still be able to study for another couple of years full-time (I had always thought the limit was five years but perhaps I'm wrong?) but I suppose that's only a question the SLC can answer.

I hope that's a little bit of help...

Hi thanks for that, it does help in explaining how the modules are delivered and handled.

I think ill have to contact the OU and SLC to check a few things out but I have till February to sort it out.

thanks

heretolearn_2

It depends on which degree you want to do and the courses that go towards it. It is possible to do 90 points, as long as there is a 60 point and a 30 point course that work for you. If all the courses for your chosen degree are 60 points though, no, they can't chop one in half for you. ;)

dizzyrascal

Have you had 3 years of funding? or just two and when was it?
Are you paying it back or was it too long ago?
In general you are allowed 4 years of funding to complete a degree or 3+1. this allows for you to drop out or change course/restart at a different uni.
All OU courses are designated part time but you can do more than 60 credits if your schedule allows but I think they need to see how you get on and you have to get it cleared with an adviser who will talk through your other obligations. You can't do less than 60 credits per year if you want funding as you need to complete the degree in 6 years.
The next courses will start in Feb, check the cut off times, they are quite soon for a new starter who is getting a student loan.
Check with SLC again as the funding is not given out based on full time/part time study basis, it is just worked out on study.
They may think you want to top up and carry your previous study to the OU. If you completed two full years you may be able to do this

thelittlestranger

heretolearn wrote: »

It depends on which degree you want to do and the courses that go towards it. It is possible to do 90 points, as long as there is a 60 point and a 30 point course that work for you. If all the courses for your chosen degree are 60 points though, no, they can't chop one in half for you. ;)

Sorry to butt in on this post but heretolearn - I am looking at doing the English Lit degree! How're you finding it? Do you also work? Feel free to PM if easier, as I don't want to bombard the post with my questions...

heretolearn_2

Briefly, yes I'm loving it, but it is a lot of work. A lot of reading, which may seem obvious but did seem to come as a shock to some people on my courses. Well, to be fair, we were also supplied with other materials to read directly, so they aren't listed on the 'set books to buy list' so there is more than you think at the start. Great courses though, very interesting, some have heavier reading loads than others (19th c novels is a bit of a killer) and lots of support from tutors/forums/other students.
I do work long hours so I find it hard to put in the work and my grade suffered a bit last year due to this, so I'm trying to be a bit more disciplined about it this year. It's resisting the urge to just slob in front of TV every evening during the week that is my problem, and I normally devote one whole day at weekend to it. It's doable though - but best advice is register early, get all your set books, and read them all before the course starts. You then have to submit a TMA (tutor marked assignment) roughly once a month, and at the end of each course there is either an exam or an EMA (examiner marked assignment?) which is an extra long essay but done at home.

PM me if you want more info :-)