Uni vs OU for a mature student

alyth

Hoping this is the right place to post this! In the quest that is me changing my life around, I've narrowed down to two options. I'm late 30s, been a PA for years and absolutely sick of it. My options are to take a job where I don't get any stress, or at least less than I'm getting now, and do an OU degree. Or, I can take an access course and go to uni which would take me 5 years. I'm interested in either history, english or food science, which are all done at my nearest uni, or I can do then through OU. However, I'm worried about the cost of being a full-time student, and the problems that working full-time and trying to study would cause. Has anyone been in this situation that can offer any advice? Has anyone gone back to uni at my age and was it worthwhile? Thanks.

Oldernotwiser

You'd probably find that your local university would accept an OU Level 1 course as the entry qualification for a degree, particularly for English/History. The Introduction to the Humanities would be the best one but check with them first about this. Access courses are great but if you follow my suggestion you'd see how you got on with the OU and give yourself an entry qualification for a "bricks and mortar" university at the same time and without leaving work to do it. If you then went the traditional university route you'd only have 3 years without a proper wage but if you liked the OU way of doing things you'd be on your way to a degree with them.
I'm a Careers Adviser and I see many people using the OU more flexibly like this and most universities will accept an OU unit instead of an Access course. Good luck.

Voyager2002

Equally, a course unit from your 'local' uni would probably earn you some credit from the OU and so reduce the time (and money) it would take you to get an OU degree. My immediate thought was that it would be good to meet people in a similar situation to yourself, and your fellow students on the access course might be a good source of support for you. True, the OU tutorial system enables you to meet people doing the same course units as you, but a broad range of people do OU courses for a whole host of reasons.

In the longer term, your interests span the Arts and Sciences in a way that is difficult to fit into most conventional degree courses, but fairly easy with an OU degree. Do, however, check whether they do Food Science (which is usually a specialised area, difficult to combine with anything else). And remember that OU degrees are more highly respected than those from the 'average' university.

alyth

I'd never actually thought that the OU Humanities course would count towards a uni place, I've been pondering that thought all day! I'm hankering towards a Food & Consumer Science BSc as I've a great interest in it, so have at least sent off for the info for that and the access course.

You are absolutely right voyager in that as I'm a returner to study meeting fellow students would be a massive support for me, and I'm slightly worried that the OU wouldn't offer as much personal support for me as actually attending a uni and being with people studying the same subject as you daily.

Appreciate your thoughts, still not sure what exactly to do, Oldernotwiser, do you do careers advice - LOL!

fabwitch_2

I did my degree with the OU and although it was extreemly hard work it was so rewarding. To study with the OU you need to be dedicated and committed to your studies. Time management is important being able to set time aside to study each week and complete assignments/TMA's by dead lines. The good thing about the OU is that you can pace your studies out and if working take some of our course work in with you to read at lunch times etc. I know the English and History degrees with the OU are excellant and really enjoyable. Each module with the OU is worth 30/60 points etc so you can chose how much you want to study each year. Also as you are still working whilst studying you will not have the huge dept, you can alsopaoff OU courses monthly or if you are on a low income you may be able to get help with the course fees. Some people like to study at a full time University to have more support etc but there is loads of support with OU study from your Tutors (to study groups if you wish to organise), there is also a online first class conferencing forum for all the different OU courses plus other online groups where you can share discussions/course topics get help support etc if you wish. I agree with the other user in doing the level 1 Humanities course 60 points as most Universitys will accept this as entrance to your University degree instead of an access course if you wish to change routes or if you have enjoyed your OU studies then you could just continue working and finish your degree with the OU. Good luk what ever you decide.

bestpud

I did an access course and am now at uni - I'm in my thirties.

I found the access course invaluable, but I hadn't studied since school! I'm not sure you would get so much out of it as you are used to higher level study already.

As for uni - if you feel you can live with the financial implications then I would say go for a bricks and mortar one. It's great to meet new people and uni is about more than just lectures.

You still have to be very disciplined but not to the extent you need to be with the OU.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever one you do though. Every mature student I know does and age seems to make a massive difference to how you view the course. I'm sure I wouldn't have got nearly as much out of a degree at the age of 18.

Hth and good luck,

Bestpud

fatnan

I was 49 when I graduated from Uni. I began by taking an Access course at the local Polytechnic (as was). Although I had had a fairly demanding job for many years, I appreciated the chance to refresh my essay writing and study skills, and of course the chance to meet like-minded people. I then went on to University, travelling daily on the bus. The hour-long journey each way gave me chance to catch up on some reading for my essays etc., which was helpful in cutting down the amount of time I had to devote to this at home. I helped to finance myself by selling clothes party-plan, about two evenings a week. Although I was about 30 years older than the others in my group, I was treated no differently by either fellow students or lecturers. The only difference was that at the end of the day, I went home to my family and they went to where 20-year-olds go at night. I would not have missed the experience for anything, and my family were prouder than I was when I got a 2:1 Honours degree. I would say GO FOR IT. Good luck!

Zziggi

I've tried both routes for 2 undergraduate degrees and I'd say OU wins hands-down!!! The only way i would go down the traditional route is if the OU doesn't offer the degree you want as the OU doesn't offer ALL degrees.

alyth

I have to say, having thought about a few things over the course of day, and done more research into unis and other stuff I want to do, I'm hankering towards the OU despite there not being an OU centre near me, and I know the OU has it's Firstclass (is that what it's called) intranet where you can chat with others doing your course. The financial aspect's a huge impact on my decision, as I'm used to having my own money, car, financial freedom and my partner earns too much for me to get any sort of support if I went to a conventional uni. There's a few things I'm doing this year but I think I'll start OU in Feb with the Humanities course, as I'd got all the OU info here and was looking through it earlier...

I really appreciate all your replies though, it's so good to get other people's perspectives on studying, and fatnan, congratulations on your degree, that's a brilliant thing that you did, sounds as if you had a great experience at uni.

penguin_queen

I think you should talk to the person in charge at your uni for the degree you fancy- your outside experience may be enough to get you on the course without doing an access course.

I am now almost at the end of my 1st year of a 4 year honours degree, just because i called up for some info. I didn't realise i was speaking to the head of the department and next thing she wanted me in for an interview and saying she was 95% certain she could offer me a place on the course !
I went part time at my work, am getting merits in all my classes and the very same head lecturer wants me to do the compacted medical degree at the end of this course.

squashing studying and working into a week and trying to socialise is a no-go- i have no life, am skint all the time and have had to rent my flat out and move back home with mother (wasn't that a joy) but then again, I'm the happiest I've ever been in a long, long time.

I say go for it- you'll never look back and if you don't do it, you'll always regret the chance you didn't take.

Oldernotwiser

alyth wrote: »

daily.

Appreciate your thoughts, still not sure what exactly to do, Oldernotwiser, do you do careers advice - LOL!

I do but at the other end of the country! If you're in Scotland, Careers Scotland offers careers guidance service for adults and you'd be able to discuss your plans with an adviser.