Open University and ESA

teddysmum

My OU degree got me a teaching job (though I was already qualified).


They ask some people if they are willing to be used for publicity and chose me to feature in our local paper, as I had a first class honours and a very young family.


A local school saw the article and contacted the paper, which asked my permission to give the school my contact details.

peaceandfreedom

SeduLOUs wrote: »

I don't know why people keep saying this.

You do not choose your own pace when studying with OU. You take on a number of credits which absolutely must be completed within the next academic year, and with strict assignment deadlines along the way.

It's true that assignments must be completed within a deadline and credits must be earned within the course deadlines etc. However, you can study to our own pace to some extent in that if you are not up to it for one week, you can catch up the next week. You can plan your studying according to how you are feeling, within the restrictions of assignment deadlines.

While tutorials can be useful, you can manage without them. Interaction with other students also can be helpful but most of my interaction was online and I suspect that is still the case.

I gained a BSc with the OU a few years ago (before the fees went up) and I certainly did my studying according to my own timetable. I was working full time and had 3 young children at the time. However, while it could be hard work, it wasn't stressful. (The only stress was caused by my general approach which was to leave everything to the last minute then have a mad scramble to study the material and do the assignment .) I started off doing 30-point courses and eventually did 60-pointers or 2 x 30-pointers.

Nobody_knows - if you are confident that you can manage the studying, then go for it based on the advice others have given about your ESA. Some courses have an end-of-course assessment instead of an exam. If you need to do an exam, the OU are usually very accommodating when it comes to special requirements.

If you are not sure about whether you can manage a full OU module, then you could do as others have suggested and try a MOOC with Future Learn first - they are free, high quality and there are loads to choose from.

Good luck .

peaceandfreedom

ToriP wrote: »

Does an OU degree actually get you anything apart from a nice use of your time?

The same as a degree from any other university. If not more - employers value an OU degree because most people who hold OU degrees earned them while working and possibly raising a family. That says a lot about a person. The OU is recognised for having high standards. To get a First with the OU your average marks need to be 85% or higher.

I would also question if it really is a nice use of your time as well - some of the courses were NOT fun (the group-working one was particularly tedious :cool:).

Indie_Kid

I personally found studying easier. Whilst there are deadlines, I could study at any time. I didn't, if I wanted to, have to turn up to tutorials either.

FBaby

But then you said you had to stop as it became too much for you.

I do believe that it depends on the individual, what triggers stress and certainly the type of degree they want to study, hence no personal judgement, but as a whole, I do think many people undermine the demands of studying with the OU. Even if you can study at any time, that's not usually what is stressful, it is the deadlines and the organising that comes with it.

Nobody_knows

FBaby wrote: »

Because if he is well enough to consider studying for a degree, then some would argue that he is well enough to at least look for part-time or voluntary work.

I won't make a judgment on this, but my personal experience is like some have said here, that doing my degree was definitely stressful, significantly more than the part-time job I had.

The reason I am considering an OU degree is because you can do it from home including the exams - I find it extremely difficult to leave the house. If you read my previous posts, I do have a volunteer position but I haven't been for a long time as that is difficult for me and emotionally draining just to get out of the house.

The second reason I want to do it from home is my pyromaniac fantasies which I have managed to keep under control over the past months and if I get to stressed, I may set fire to something which may injure people. Do you know how terrifying that is ? Knowing that you are capable of that.

Not all people find studying stressful - it is a question how well you manage your time and how well you know the subject. I want to do a computing degree as it doesn't require leaving the house - just a computer. Most computing jobs require degrees or some form of specialised qualification.

missbiggles1

Nobody_knows wrote: »

The reason I am considering an OU degree is because you can do it from home including the exams - I find it extremely difficult to leave the house. If you read my previous posts, I do have a volunteer position but I haven't been for a long time as that is difficult for me and emotionally draining just to get out of the house.

The second reason I want to do it from home is my pyromaniac fantasies which I have managed to keep under control over the past months and if I get to stressed, I may set fire to something which may injure people. Do you know how terrifying that is ? Knowing that you are capable of that.

Not all people find studying stressful - it is a question how well you manage your time and how well you know the subject. I want to do a computing degree as it doesn't require leaving the house - just a computer. Most computing jobs require degrees or some form of specialised qualification.

To be fair, as you're so agoraphobic, it would presumably be yourself that you'd hurt.

Nobody_knows

missbiggles1 wrote: »

To be fair, as you're so agoraphobic, it would presumably be yourself that you'd hurt.

Actually that is where you are wrong - When I was going to college, the being around people part was getting harder and harder and I set a bunch things on fire in the college canteen and they suspended me and told me to do my college work from home as I was a danger to them. I could never figure out why they did that - It wasn't my fault I was struggling to be around people and I didn't choose to had a messed up childhood so Why do I have to suffer by kicked out. I have always wanted to make the teacher that did that pay for that.

missbiggles1

Nobody_knows wrote: »

I spoke to my tutor about this while doing an access course and she said an OU degree was held in higher value, as it shows time management skills as there isn't a set time table so you have to figure it out yourself how much time you need and nobody teaches you like in a classroom - you have do that mostly on your own. You have to motivate yourself most of the time and it also shows you are dedicated and committed etc.

If you managed to get out and do an Access course, wouldn't you be better going to a traditional university rather than being shut in with the OU? Surely that would be a better preparation for working life?

Nobody_knows

missbiggles1 wrote: »

If you managed to get out and do an Access course, wouldn't you be better going to a traditional university rather than being shut in with the OU? Surely that would be a better preparation for working life?

What do mean I managed to get out - I didn't. They sent me the material and I did it at home. I did the Access course with the OU.