Open Uni advice?

StevenB12

Hey guys,

I've been looking at starting an Open Uni course but just looking for some advice on it from people who may have done one? Do you need any or certain qualifications before you can undertake certain courses?

Basically I'm looking at Engineering courses as that's my current profession, but looking to expand into different areas. My second choice is one of my biggest regrets, I've always had an interest in working with animals and it was something that I never followed up from school sadly but I'm unsure if any future job change would look at an Open Uni course and decide to take on, especially when all of my previous employment has come from a completely different background.

But yeah, if anyone has ever done an Open Uni course, just any info on what it's like in general etc.

Thank you

Neil_Jones

Most Open Uni courses don't have any pre-requisites aside from those that would naturally follow on from other courses. Most of them are distance learning and you can do them in your spare time, one course I looked at said you have 16 years to complete it.

They may carry more weight than the "traditional" route of going to university at 18 and propping up the local bars while studying. It would show discipline if nothing else, fitting in studies around holding down a full time job.

The only real caveat I suppose is funding it, some options here:
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding

Ja7188

If you're considering working with animals, consider looking for some voluntary work in the field to help you decide whether it's for you - you could probably do this alongside your main employment.

If you decide to stay in engineering, do you actually need a further qualification to progress your career...?

StevenB12

Ja7188 wrote: »

If you're considering working with animals, consider looking for some voluntary work in the field to help you decide whether it's for you - you could probably do this alongside your main employment.

If you decide to stay in engineering, do you actually need a further qualification to progress your career...?

The thing with animal care is, it's something that I've always wanted to do but ended up straying away from at school as at the time the opportunities where I was just weren't there and sadly at the time it was coming down to having to take a career path where there was something around me. It's something I regret now but I'm looking at it more of say doing Animal Care and Dog training, it opens up a few doors of self employed, especially on the training side.

As for the Engineering, definitely. Engineering is as you can imagine, incredibly varied. There are a ton of sub sectors for it, my main area at the minute is Civils/Drainage. My mate recently completed an Open Uni degree for Engineering design etc, cost him about 22K over 4 years of part time learning, but he's now been employed in America and is earning 40K +, so there is definitely career advancement out there.

Ja7188

Do you know anyone involved in the field of animal training who you could ask for advice? They could potentially give you a view as to whether you can make reasonable money out of it, how they advertised, how they built up their client base and so on, and hence whether it's worth you looking into further. You don't mention your personal circumstances but I'd guess you'll be taking a big pay cut if you change careers...

StevenB12

Ja7188 wrote: »

Do you know anyone involved in the field of animal training who you could ask for advice? They could potentially give you a view as to whether you can make reasonable money out of it, how they advertised, how they built up their client base and so on, and hence whether it's worth you looking into further. You don't mention your personal circumstances but I'd guess you'll be taking a big pay cut if you change careers...

From what I've seen of jobs advertised it can vary greatly from the company to the area as well. Vets are on anywhere from 22-30K (from what I have seen advertised on job sites). Where as Kennel/Animal/Vet Assistants are from 17-21K depending on company/area. It would be a pay cut of about 8K to me at the moment at the high end. But I've always viewed my jobs as something that I need to enjoy more than the money aspect.

I enjoy the engineering side as it's a challenge and you get the financial side of it as well for the most part. But with Animals I think I would feel like I'm making more of a difference and more personal enjoyment.

zagubov

The competition for jobs working with animals is intense, leading to low pay, masses of voluntary work, and quite possibly outright exploitation.

I would do a lot more research before leaving a secure sector of the job market like engineering in favour of animal work.

StevenB12

zagubov wrote: »

The competition for jobs working with animals is intense, leading to low pay, masses of voluntary work, and quite possibly outright exploitation.

I would do a lot more research before leaving a secure sector of the job market like engineering in favour of animal work.

I know, but even Engineering is becoming a lot more competitive these days and pay is rarely increasing in the sector. While it's a steady job, it's only as steady as the contracts for work are. You could open the yellow pages and probably find 10 Civil or Engineering companies within 50 miles, all of which now virtually undertake the same aspects of work as they look to keep up business.

One route I was looking at is looking at Dog Training etc. It's something that could be undertaking during weekends etc or free hours through the week while still retaining my job.

pmduk

OU courses require a great deal of self-discipline an determination.

happyandcontented

It is also a very rigorous academic exercise. The marks required to get First or 2.1 are higher than those required at normal universities.

BorisThomson

happyandcontented wrote: »

It is also a very rigorous academic exercise. The marks required to get First or 2.1 are higher than those required at normal universities.

This is wrong, or at least misleading.

The OU uses a different marking scheme to traditional universities. The percentage mark boundaries are higher, but the standard of work to reach said classification boundaries is equal to that at a traditional university. Hence the standards required to reach a certain classification are on a par with other universities.

As an example, a mark of 85% would be virtually unheard of at a traditional university, but far from unusual at OU. It would be the equivalent of 70% at a traditional uni.

(No idea why they use a different mark scheme, but the criteria is on their website if you wish to research further.)