open university when leaving college

inkie

My dd is currently studying A levels in Eng Lit, Classics, Art and History. Predicted grades of at least B's. She was wanting to stay at home for uni, rather than going away, and has been looking at doing a degree with the Open uni. Course fees are 5k pa, which would be covered with a student loan. She is particularly interested in the fact that she could do a broad humanities base and take modules in the subjects that she loves, classics, history and lit. She prob ultimately would be going into to teaching in secondary or FE. Do you see any disadvantage of going down this route rather than the trad uni route. She isn't bothered about the student experience of living in etc, and is very focussed and motivated. just seems a bit of a no brainer comparing 5k course fees to 9k course fees if you can do virtually the same thing. TIA Inkie.

Hezzawithkids

I am in my 5th year of study with the OU doing an Arts degree and in my OU 'travels' I have met a few students who are doing exactly that quite happily. The OU has quite an eclectic mix in its student body and if campus life really isn't for her then its a totally feasible option.

Aryndeneth

Deviating away from the topic a bit but, has your daughter checked the entry requirements for the type of teaching she wants to do? If it's secondary school level a broad humanities degree with a range of module areas may not be subject-specific enough. Students going on to teach this age-range normally have a more specific degree that maps onto a national curriculum subject they want to teach. If the degree is less specific, there can be a requirement to take a Knowledge Enhancement course to fill in any gaps. If the degree is very general, the KE course might not be enough.

Might be jumping the gun here as she hasn't even started the degree yet but, if her heart's set on teaching it might be worth exploring the degree requirements in more detail. Tends to be less of an issue with primary teaching but still worth looking into.

My points here are very simplified but this site is really useful for potential teachers.

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching?&gclid=CPqEgu77o7QCFefMtAodqlAA6g

Dunroamin

If this is what she wants to do then I can see no problems except those that the poster above mentions. However, do discourage her from making this sort of decision purely on monetary grounds; distance learning and OU study aren't for everyone.

inkie

thanks for the replies. We are just weighing up the options, but as she says, it seems a bit daft if you can do a similar course for 5k, than for 9k p.a. She has some unstanding of Distance Learning, as I am completing my MA at the moment by distance learning.

ScribbleNInk

The point about the fees is very valid. I'd really recommend that your daughter tries to arrange a meeting with an advisor at the OU, who can speak to her about her aspirations, as well as help her figure out what kind of study she is best suited to.

By the same token, it'd be a great idea to still go and look around some traditional universities just so she has clear idea of what both options would be like. She might visit a campus uni and get excited by the library and all the other facilities that she'll have at her finger tips. Those sorts of things are the benefits you get for extra £££.

Maybe speaking to the OU will make it clear that this is the right route... I reckon just being clear about what both options entail will make the decision clear.

Best of luck to her! Ps, the OU are very friendly and good at these sorts of conversations, so give them a call I reckon

Errata

It sounds a sensible option if she'll be a sensible student. Things may have changed, the OU had to expressly give permission for a student to complete their degree in 3 years. Even if it has, she needs to discuss this thoroughly with an OU Advisor.

Dunroamin

Just to add, in case you don't know, even if she does the degree in three years, she can't claim any maintenance funding.

inkie

^^^^Yes, we had realised that. Just being able to get the student loan for the course fees will be a blessing! She has a part time job, which, with living at home should see her through.

We have been to a couple of trad uni open days too, but she wasn't over-impressed. I think that the next step is to give them a call and see what's what. Thank you for all your replies. Most helpful.