Open Study College

brwatson

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a bit of advice on education, I hope I'm in the right thread.

I have an NVQ Level 3 in Business Admin and this has been my main field since I was 16. However, after a bad experience with my last employer and winning a subsequent tribunal I feel ready to take the next steps into doing something I've always wanted to do but never had the opportunity.

I'm a full time mum of one, and I'm looking to do A Levels from home. In particular, Biology, Chemistry and English Lang/Lit.

I was wondering if i could get these paid for via a student loan or whether I would have to pay them myself? Also, if anybody has had an experience through open Study College, you're feedback would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help!

nimbo

Hiya. What is your current age? Could you consider going back to college? I know of a few that have crèches available - having a face to face tutor may benefit you - I know I've done both home study and face to face and sometimes have long a tutor is really helpful when you have questions.

Did you have a particular career in mind after? You could do an access course. They offer them
In all sorts but do have specific access to nursing and social work courses etc.

I have no experience of that organisation sorry.

nimbo

http://www.northern.ac.uk

I realise probably not local to you. But they offer a lot of practical courses for mature students. (Sorry if you're not technically an older student - I only know you're over 16). They'll take anyone over 18.

I just thought from your post it maybe nursing you were wanting to go into. Access courses can be really practical - and can set you up for the learning ahead also. Also an actual college would have a service to help you with ucas applications of relevant as well as some kind of careers guidance. It wouldn't just be this college that offered them either.

There seems to be some poor reviews of the open college you mention online: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2126108

But as I previously said I've never heard of them.

Sorry I would have added this to my original post but it wouldn't let me edit.

brwatson

Hi nimbo,

Thanks so much for the help. I'm 22 and wouldn't be able to go to a college as a mature student - there are absolutely none I can find in my area (north east) plus I have to look after my son by myself so would probably struggle. The benefit of learning from home is that I can study at my own pace.

I might look into the access courses - I've heard they are better for mature students.

You're right, I would like to go into something in medicine. The reason I'm not going straight to doing something like an access course is because I'm really not sure yet what exactly I want to do in that field. I think doing A Levels give you a broader choice and it's also a highly recognised qualification.

I'm so stuck! Plus, doing A Level qualifications if it's out of your own pocket are very expensive.

theoretica

How does studying science A levels from home teach the necessary lab work?

brwatson

You study it via textbooks, then carry out the practicals exams at an exam centre where they prep you.
It's not a requirement from the research I've done, but most university's won't accept your qualification without it.

theoretica

If there are no colleges in your area which it would be practical to attend as a mature student, are there any which would just teach and assess the practical portion?