Open University and ESA

FBaby

I think what people are trying to say is that studying for a degree is stressful and in some cases more than an actual job, especially part-time. If you think you are not strong to consider any form of work, it is likely that you would struggle with studying at that level. The way work can be stressful is not that much different to how studying can be.

That's why you might be better off persevering with your sessions until you can feel stronger facing the world outside and learning to cope with stressors. It has nothing to do with whose fault it is that you are feeling the way you do.

SeduLOUs

I didn't mean it in the judgemental sense of if you can study you can do a job. I was pointing out that an OU degree is absolutely not a walk in the park and is extremely stressful. If you have severe anxiety issues that prevent you from doing a job or leaving the house, I would be questioning whether you would be able to succeed at high level education.

Even though OU is mostly home based, tutorials are provided (usually at other university campus') which in my opinion are absolutely vital as part of the process. Meeting and chatting with other students is so important too to ask questions when you get stuck. Some modules have residential schools which are compulsory attendance, and most have exams which usually involve travel to a city centre.

I've dealt with a lot of people in my time who think an OU degree involves reading a few books and being handed a certificate and it's actually really bloody hard work, so perhaps your post hit a nerve and I reacted badly. I'm sorry if I came across as judgemental, I was just trying to illustrate that it is not something you should take on lightly if you are currently struggling with other issues in your life.

Nobody_knows

SeduLOUs wrote: »

I didn't mean it in the judgemental sense of if you can study you can do a job. I was pointing out that an OU degree is absolutely not a walk in the park and is extremely stressful. If you have severe anxiety issues that prevent you from doing a job or leaving the house, I would be questioning whether you would be able to succeed at high level education.

Even though OU is mostly home based, tutorials are provided (usually at other university campus') which in my opinion are absolutely vital as part of the process. Meeting and chatting with other students is so important too to ask questions when you get stuck. Some modules have residential schools which are compulsory attendance, and most have exams which usually involve travel to a city centre.

I've dealt with a lot of people in my time who think an OU degree involves reading a few books and being handed a certificate and it's actually really bloody hard work, so perhaps your post hit a nerve and I reacted badly. I'm sorry if I came across as judgemental, I was just trying to illustrate that it is not something you should take on lightly if you are currently struggling with other issues in your life.

Thank you for the answer - I have to admit I was a bit naive about some of the requirements and assumed that most work was home based as I am doing a computing course and I did tell them about my anxieties and they suggested doing a 30 credit module to see how I get on.

BlueEyedGirl

Nobody_knows wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently on ESA because I have mental health issues and I am suicidal due to an abusive childhood and I have weekly therapy sessions but I want to do a degree course which is part-time with the open university and I did ring up the benefits office and they said you can't study and claim ESA benefits.

I can't support myself as of yet as I struggle to get out of the house due to anxiety and mental health issues but I was hoping to work on my mental health and due a degree so by the end of the course, I would hopefully be able to get a job and keep it.

What do I do ? Is there any other solution ?

In answer to your question the DWP are in fact wrong. You can study with the Open University and claim ESA, since the Open University is classed as part time study, you do not even have to inform them you are a student with the OU.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education/frequently-asked-questions-students

http://www.thesite.org/money/benefits/employment-and-support-allowance-esa-9360.html

I've studied with the OU whilst claiming ESA with no problems, as well as done voluntary work. I am in the ESA Support Group and have been for some years now. I also did a full time access course whilst claiming ESA, because despite being a full time course I was only in college 15 hours a week.

If you are studying for a Degree, be sure to look into the DSA with the OU.

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview

https://www2.open.ac.uk/study/support/disability/disabled-students-allowance

Good luck with the therapy, the OU will probably help take your mind off therapy. Can I ask what kind of therapy you are doing? The OU are really good at giving support to those with mental health difficulties.

If you feel studying will in the long term help your recovery, go for it. Ignore the haters on forum!

BlueEyedGirl

_CC_ wrote: »

You have the answer in your post - you can't study and claim ESA.

Depending on your degree, wouldn't you have to leave the house to do the exams anyway?

I doubt there are many jobs where having an OU degree is critical, so why can't you just work on your mental health and then get a non graduate job (which many people with degrees end up in anyway)?

Wrong information! You can if the study is part time, and allowances can be made for students who need to attend exams and cannot because of health difficulties. Most OU study is done at home via the online system, including exams!

GlasweJen

I did a masters with the OU, there was only about 20 in the year group so I didn't meet anyone until the exam. Because it was a presentation we had to go to Milton Keynes to the actual OU campus.

I'm disabled and need someone with me for travel, especially a big journey like Glasgow to MK. I spoke to the disability team at OU and they helped me to fill in an application for disabled student allowance so that the cost of someone coming with me could be covered. I was awarded the cost of my sisters train ticket, an allowance to pay her, (it was something like £8 per hour that I was on campus - we didn't bill for that bit) and an allowance for her to get dinner and breakfast while we were there. As she was my sister we didn't claim the hourly cost back, just the cost of her wages for one day as she had to take unpaid leave from work. Had I used an agency nurse like we were planning I would have had to use the full allowance.

Disabled students allowance isn't all about a free laptop like some students at brick universities think (I heard that a lot during my undergrad), it can pay for support getting to lectures, taking notes, getting to exams and even costs for travel like I had above.

Nobody_knows

BlueEyedGirl wrote: »

In answer to your question the DWP are in fact wrong. You can study with the Open University and claim ESA, since the Open University is classed as part time study, you do not even have to inform them you are a student with the OU.

I've studied with the OU whilst claiming ESA with no problems, as well as done voluntary work. I am in the ESA Support Group and have been for some years now. I also did a full time access course whilst claiming ESA, because despite being a full time course I was only in college 15 hours a week.

If you are studying for a Degree, be sure to look into the DSA with the OU.

Good luck with the therapy, the OU will probably help take your mind off therapy. Can I ask what kind of therapy you are doing? The OU are really good at giving support to those with mental health difficulties.

If you feel studying will in the long term help your recovery, go for it. Ignore the haters on forum!

I am doing one to one therapy with a psychotherapist.

BlueEyedGirl

SeduLOUs wrote: »

I'm in my third year of OU studying part time whilst working full time. Honestly the studying is far harder than my actual job, with extremely tight deadlines, lots of assignments, and I personally think the face to face tutorials (approx fortnightly at university locations about 20 miles from home) are essential to do well even though they are optional.

I also don't understand how you would be able to be successful at it if you are not capable of working.

I wish I could study full time and not work, but bills need to be paid, so unfortunately for me free time is a luxury I'm short on for the next 4 years.

Just because someone has anxiety and depression (or any other mental health diagnosis) it does not mean they should give up on life. Studying at home through the OU is completely different than attending university and being with others. Not all OU course have 121's, and some tutor interaction can be done online via the likes of Skype.

Some professionals in mental health would advise some people to study or volunteer because it could actually help improve their wellbeing.

To be honest your post comes across as bitter, as though those people unwell in society should be not allowed to do anything if they can't contribute and work full time! Talk about being in the dark ages!

SeduLOUs

Nobody_knows wrote: »

Thank you for the answer - I have to admit I was a bit naive about some of the requirements and assumed that most work was home based as I am doing a computing course and I did tell them about my anxieties and they suggested doing a 30 credit module to see how I get on.

Don't let me put you off entirely - I currently do 60 credits per year on top of working 37.5 hours per week, so I'm obviously going to find it tough going. Plus I'm doing maths, which is probably once of the worst subjects for hitting brick walls.

You do need to do your research properly though as it's tough material whatever pace/course you do. Starting with a 30 credit module might not be a terrible idea to get a feel for it, but it's still extremely expensive and the standalone modules aren't worth much as qualifications in their own right.

A degree consists of 360 credits, so if you did 30 credits per year it would take 12 years to end up with a degree. Many modules at the later stages are 60 credit modules though, so chances are you wouldn't be able to stick at that pace anyway.

A better starting point to see if it's for you might be to look at the OpenLearn modules? They are discontinued modules so are available for free, but will give you a sense of the kind of work involved without forking out any cash. Even with tuition fee loans you'll still have to pay it back, assuming that you do end up getting back to work again.

It also depends what you want to do in the long run. There might be more appropriate qualifications for the line of work you want to head into (i.e. if you wanted to do accountancy you'd probably do better to study for AAT than do an OU degree).

BlueEyedGirl

Nobody_knows wrote: »

Did you read the part where I wrote I find it difficult to go out of the house and like I said I had a difficult childhood which has caused a lot of mental health issues and anxieties and I am constantly suicidal and NO I will not "recover" if I do a degree - I will keep having mental health problems and keep feeling suicidal and most of that is not my fault - I didn't ask to be abused. My therapist said if it will take time for me recover from all the things my parents did to me.

Did I mention I am also a pyromaniac - I set things on fire if my anxiety gets really bad. I have tried to commit suicide numerous times and I have almost been committed.

Please educate yourself about mental health before you post.

Sadly you will always find people on the forum with no understanding of mental health difficulties. They group everyone under one umbrella, I'd ignore them if I was you!

I am guessing you have BPD? I might be wrong... that is my diagnosis though, diagnosed in 2008.