thinking about doing an ou course, advice please

[addictedismoving]

I'm thinking about doing an OU course. The earliest I would start is April I think. But I'm finding it all very confusing (maybe a sign I'm not clever enough fo rhigher education!)

I dont really have any A levels, so what level am I looking at? under-graduate degree? I've heard some people say there are into courses? I dont really know what subject I'd want to take, I enjoy psycology or business (not similar I know!)

but how does the funding work? I'd need to apply for a student loan, whic it says I'd be elidgable for

...I dont know, I guess I've always wanted to do it, but always been too scared and now I guess I'm almost ready to take the plunge, I just have to work out what I want.

[RibenaFiend]

I took an OU course last September. I started with an "Openings" course as I'd been out of education for 11years!!! Although I'm not in a position to advise you I can highly highly recommend that you speak with the incredibly helpful people on the OU contact lines. They're really really good!

[addictedismoving]

oooh, theres a contact line?! I will give them a call.

[Plumpcious]

Have you had a good look at their website? (I just have and found it quite confusing, despite being a past OU student and thinking I knew how their set-up works!)

I started studying with the OU when I was in my mid-twenties, having left school with 1 A level, so don't let lack of A levels put you off.

The 'Openings' (ie introductory) courses are here:
www.open.ac.uk/study/explained/study-explained/our-range-courses/openings-courses

They're short courses at level 1 and are worth 15 credits towards a degree (360 needed in total). The standard, year-long modules are worth 60 credits so you would need to do six of those to get a degree. They also do some shorter modules with 30 credits.

You used to be able to mix and match modules, so you could have studied both business and psychology modules. I don't know if you can still do that as they seem to have standard 'pathways' to a degree, which is more in keeping with how traditional universities work.

Actually I've just found the following, so yes, if there isn't a 'named' degree that you like then you could combine business and psychology modules into an 'Open' degree:

"For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.

With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests."

It may be better to start on this page where you can view all the modules by subject and see which ones really interest you:
www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/index.htm

Then work out whether they offer a standard 'named' degree that suits you or whether you'd prefer to mix and match an 'Open' degree.

Start by looking at social sciences as that includes psychology.

[mumof2princesses]

hi im new on here... iv just registered with the OU... im starting my course in feb it was realy easy applying for im starting with 60 credits this year so hopefully i can do 120 next year... im doing a open degree in maths english and science as i want to become a primary school teacher... they seem very polite... and all i did was registered online chose the modules i want to do and followed through it then gives you a page about payment select student finance and itl do everything for you all you do is answer the questions youll then get a customer ref number add that to the OU page where it says and your done... to make sure i did it correct i gave them a call and confirmed it xxx hope that helps xxx

[addictedismoving]

thank you so much plump, that makes things a little clearer.

Now all I need to do is decide when I would want to start. we are ttc baby number 3 at the moment, not sure I could do degree with 3 under 3, but it it doesnt happen this month we are taking a break till at least september so I could start in april then pick it up again in the future after baby is 1.

and then decide what subject I'd want to do...so many decisions!

thanks mumof2, that also helps with regards to the finance

[addictedismoving]

after looking at the courses in more detail, I've registered my intrest in Psychology.

[sooperdooper]

Ah, funnily enough I've just been looking at OU courses today, I'd really like to do a Masters through OU but as I've been out of eduction for a loooon time I'm thinking of doing one of the Opening Courses first, there's one which starts in March

I'm not going to be eligible for any help with funding, does anyone know how it works if you pay in installments? When I click through to the funding page at the moment there's an error

[LaVolcan]

You can set up an OU Student Budget Account. Once your loan is agreed then you are registered and get the course materials sent. When the course starts OUSBA take out however many installments are necessary, e.g. I am starting a course in February so there will be 8 installments starting on 2nd March, for which I have set up a direct debit.

It's pretty straightforward.