Open University degree - WWYD?

[chicaguapa]

Would it be better to have:

a First in a BA (hons) Open
or
a 2:1 in a BA (hons) Humanities (with English Language)?

I have one module left to do in the Humanties degree that is the mandatory humanities one, and not only do I really really not fancy it, I would need to get a level 2 pass to get a First, which I don't think I would get. Or I can do another English module instead for which I would have a much better chance of getting a level 2 pass, but I would get an Open degree instead.

WWYD? Thanks.

[Ooopsadaisy]

I have an OU 2:1 BA (hons) in English with Literature from years ago. I found it really enjoyable which is why I kept going.

My advice is to do what you most enjoy and you will do your best at it.

However, if you are doing it for a vocational reason then you should do what will get you where you need to be.

Either way it is a massive achievement - well done!

[frakkinup]

What are you going to use it for?

Unless you have a specific subject requirement (eg teaching) then I'd take the chance of a First!

[chicaguapa]

I don't have a use for it. But what I don't want to do is restrict what I can use it for, if I do need it one day.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

What module is it that you don't want to do? I think it is really better to do the module you want to do rather than one you don't fancy much, and worry about the exact title of the degree later. Unless you want an English qualification for a specific reason, I also think a First would be better than a 2.1, even though I know some people find the amorphousness of an Open qualification a bit perplexing. I had to make just this decision a few months ago, I took the First (in Humanities with Literature) rather than the 2.1 (in Humanities with History) although I had originally intended to go for History. I felt the higher class of degree was going to be the better option. For now, I reckon you should concentrate on picking the course that you think you will gain the most from and worry about which degree title to opt for later.

[chicaguapa]

Thanks. It's 'From Enlightenment to Romantacism' and nothing about it makes me want to study it. I'd much rather do 'The Art of English E301' and I think I'd do better as it interests me more.

[PurpleKate]

I'll be very honest and say I don't have a degree, so don't really understand the specifics here. But, I would be more impressed by a First than a 2:1 no matter what words came after (although I would assume that Hons was good too)!

[chicaguapa]

At the risk of going into far too much detail, so far I have:

Level 1: French + Spanish
Level 2: Spanish (grade 3 pass) + English Lang U210 (grade 2 pass)
Level 3: Children's Lit EA300 (grade 2 pass) + English E303 (distinction)

I can choose from the following:

a) Level 3 Spanish to get Ba in Modern Language Studies - not going to happen in a million years as only got a grade 3 pass at level 2 and I need a minimum grade 2 pass on my final module to get a First.

b) From Enlightenment to Romanticism (A207) to get a Ba in Humanities with English language - not at all interested in this module so concerned about getting the grade 2 pass I need.

c) The Art of English (E301) to get an Ba Open - feel more confident about getting a grade 2 pass and thereby acheiving a First.

I don't have a degree so it would be big bananas for me to get any kind of result tbh, but a First would be great. What makes me consider the Open is that I have concentrated on language/ English so it's still kind of specialised and usable, do you think?

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

What about AA300 - Europe culture and identity in a contested continent? That would get you your Humanities with English wouldn't it? Personally, I loved that course, although I wasn't at all sure about it at first.

[chicaguapa]

Thanks Lady. I am interested in AA300 and had banked on doing that but it's the last presentation in February and they're not replacing it. I'm currently doing Children's Lit (assumed the grade 2 pass as if I get a grade 3 then the First is out of reach anyway) so can't start another one in February.

Good suggestion Proles.

[chicaguapa]

Another option I've considered is binning the Children's Lit one I'm currently doing so I can do AA300 in Feb, with E301 in October and then get the Humanities degree. But that seems a bit foolish.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

Could you overlap Childrens Lit and AA300? I've done two 60pointers concurrently twice in order to do my degree in four years - it is hard work, but the main problem is doing two exam or ECAs at the same time. With overlapping an October and a Feb start you have three months of hell, but at least you are not doing final assignments simultaneously. Depends on what else is going on in your life though. And six months ago when I was juggling a fulltime job, Advanced Creative Writing and the 19th Century Novel I was a bit manic to say the least. But the memory fades...

[chicaguapa]

Not sure about that. It would proabably be about 5 months of overlap and I'm having difficulty keeping on top of the reading on this one. That said, I'm not particularly enjoying it so would be happy to bin it. I did a last minute switch from E301 to EA300 and regret it a bit, especially when I found out that the TMA on the other was about metaphors and I was struggling to find hidden didactic in Harry Potter.

[darleneconnor]

Try for a First.

[chicaguapa]

Ok, I will. Thanks.

[Flisspaps]

Ooh AA300 was fab - got a Grade 2 pass for that, best of the lot! Shame they're not replacing it.

Go for option c - it's much more rewarding to do the course that interests you, and you're more likely to put the hours in and get the result you want at the end.