Open University. Am I mad? :p

tr3mor

I've just finished my undergrad degree in Maths and Computer Science. I'm due to start work on 2nd July at a software company in a technical role.

I was thinking that I might miss learning stuff and generally being in academia. Tonight I had a brainwave.

Would it be a completely crazy and sadistic idea of mine to enrol on an OU degree starting in October?

I've been having a look tonight and I quite like the look of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Do I go for it or am I barking?

melancholly

maybe give the job a few weeks first and see if it's realistic first?!! you're not necessarily barking - 'remarkably ambitious' might be a better phrase

studentphil

It is worth remembering that you should get at least 120 CATS points from your degree towards an OU degree, so it would mean that you would just have to take the 240 upper year points.

But equally, what is the point of staying at the same level, do a PG course instead with the OU as it will most likely be cheaper for you than another UG course and it will build your CV more.

dmg24

tr3mor,

I know what you mean, I get so bored if I am not learning (is that sad?!)!

When is the deadline for the OU course? PPE does sound interesting. Do you think you'll have time with work? I have studied alongside full time work, not always easy but it is possible.

How did the exams go? All good I hope! x

dmg24

Not sure I would agree with doing a PG course in a completely different subject? Also, sometimes I like studying something that will stretch you, but isn't super challenging?

Just noticed your post count Phil - wowzers! x

studentphil

dmg24 wrote: »

Not sure I would agree with doing a PG course in a completely different subject? Also, sometimes I like studying something that will stretch you, but isn't super challenging?

Just noticed your post count Phil - wowzers! x

OU Humanities Masters are designed so you don't really need a UG degree in a humanities subject to do them. But moving from Maths to all the reading and essays at PG level could be a big jump, I do agree.

tr3mor

studentphil wrote: »

It is worth remembering that you should get at least 120 CATS points from your degree towards an OU degree, so it would mean that you would just have to take the 240 upper year points.

But equally, what is the point of staying at the same level, do a PG course instead with the OU as it will most likely be cheaper for you than another UG course and it will build your CV more.

They're completely different subjects. So I doubt any of the credits are transferable.

Also, I really don't want to do a postgrad in maths or computer science. I'm not too bothered about building my CV in computing, my job will do that. I just want to do something completely different.

tr3mor

dmg24 wrote: »

tr3mor,

I know what you mean, I get so bored if I am not learning (is that sad?!)!

When is the deadline for the OU course? PPE does sound interesting. Do you think you'll have time with work? I have studied alongside full time work, not always easy but it is possible.

How did the exams go? All good I hope! x

I agree. I think I'll just feel a bit lost if I'm working all day just to watch TV at night.

The OU course doesn't start til October, so I'll have plenty of time to bed in at work before then and see if I've got enough time to take it on. I get the feeling that I'd be better starting on something like this now, if I put it off once, I'll put it off forever.

Exams went great. Got my results on Friday, got a first! :beer:

dmg24

I would say go for it, you've got nothing to lose?!

If not PPE, do you fancy Law? I did my degree in Law, very interesting stuff.

studentphil

tr3mor wrote: »

They're completely different subjects. So I doubt any of the credits are transferable.

Also, I really don't want to do a postgrad in maths or computer science. I'm not too bothered about building my CV in computing, my job will do that. I just want to do something completely different.

No, do a PG in Humanities then.

Honestly you might be better working at you career a bit and enjoy your income for a while rather than having to spend all your evenings and weekends studying.

dmg24

Some people do class studying as part of enjoying their lives, Phil!