Please come and talk to me about your Open University experience.

[MakeYourOwnFuckingTea]

I've 90% decided to go for it. I read a post on fb and the woman sounds like she's in a similar position to me (left school early, no qualifications, always worked but in dead end jobs for nmw etc). I'm 41 and married with 4 kids. I feel its time to do something for me that will benefit us all in the long run. No idea what I'd like to do but am leaning towards health and social care or something in that area.
Does anyone have any experience of Open University? I'm leaving it too late aren't I?

I'm 46 and just about to start second year of BA in History & English so hope I haven't left it too late!
What would you like to know?

Just finishing a masters degree with them. It’ll change your life, I recommend it wholeheartedly. Go for it!

I started with the OU four days before my 40th birthday. It took me seven years to complete my degree because of a couple of unexpected changes in my personal life, but those were the best seven years of my life.

I graduated in 2010 so my experiences aren't going to be quite the same as those of somebody who's a current student, but I'd certainly encourage you to investigate your options fully. Don't feel rushed - there are plenty of courses that have a February start date if you're not fully committed in time for the October intake.

Sorry Marble. I hope I haven't offended you. It's me being down on myself. Anyone would think I was about to be pensioned off the way I'm going on with myself
I'd like to know about funding, the work load (obviously varies with each subject), self discipline etc. I'm not academic at all. Do I need a laptop? Dh has one and would tolerate me using it occasionally but that'd be it. Do OU students get the same benefits/discounts as those at a brick uni? What changes or benefits have you noticed in yourself or family members?

It’s fabulous and will change your life.

Get yourself a laptop.

Get yourself a student card and enjoy student discounts

Ooh this is very encouraging. Dh just said that I could possibly have his laptop and he'd get a new one. Id only need it for coursework anyway.

You will probably get a loan for the funding (unless you already have a degree). You need a computer of some sort as some of your course will be online and assignments are usually submitted online (it's easy to do).
Workload is broken down for you on a study planner, you will know exactly what you need to do each week. I find the hours it suggests are usually an overestimate.
The greatest benefit I see is increased confidence in yourself and your ideas or abilities. It does change people.

I'm a tutor by the way.

www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

Have you seen the free online courses by the OU? There are tons of subjects to choose from, you can do as many as you like and they are free. Time scales average from 2-14 hours per course. Maybe have a look on this and try out a few subjects to get a feel for something that interest/enjoys you befor you take the leap.

I’m 43 work full time and have one dd and I’m about to start level 3 of my Computing and IT degree. I am really enjoying it - the thrill of actually passing my maths module was great!!! I was useless at maths at high school. The tutors are fab and it fits right into my life (albeit by getting up at 6am to study when there is no one else around to distract me). Go for it

Thanks for replying guys. That's good that it's broken down for you. Sometimes I find it easier being told that this needs doing by then.
I've not studied before so hopefully will qualify. Dh works and I do random sporadic shifts at sports grounds but we can't afford to pay up front. Definitely going to look into those free courses. My youngest is nearly 10 so I feel that they're independent enough that I can concentrate on something else (part time like). Also will like getting up early to study as time to myself at anytime is good.

Im 40 and I did some OU modules a few years ago. I didn't think I was academic in any way but it was absolutely amazing.
I started slow and easy with the smaller 10 credit courses and then progressed on to the bigger 60 credit ones.

I'm now about to start at a brick uni and the reason I got a place was because of the OU courses I did. It was the best thing I've ever done, I just wish I'd have done it sooner!

Sorry to jump on your thread.

I’m a single parent, 37 and would really like to do an OU course.

I’ve got 3 A grade A levels but didn’t progress any further in terms of education.

I’m working 30 hours and my wages are topped up with tax credits - does anyone know would this affect me applying for student finance to pay the course fees? Or if I would no longer be entitled to tax credits? (I need them to help pay childcare whilst I work)

I'm doing a distance learning ma with Manchester uni so not Ou but similar.

Funding - get student loans and entitled to nus card etc

We have weekly work released and then once a month we have a seminar online - we are running alongside a onsite course so same deadlines throughout the year.
Worth looking around at all unis as some will offer similar to the OU.

My DH is doing an MA with them. He's 45 and loves it. Do it

I've done 3 years in a computer degree with the OU but taken the last 2 years off.

I enjoyed it but you have to have some self discipline to read the course material and 'study'. I found though I had the time, I was more likely to dick about on mumsnet/read/facebook than actually do what I was supposed to be doing.

I passed everything so far by cramming when the assignments were due but it's very difficult when you're a procrastinator. I'd still absolutely recommend it though!

I am 50 and graduated two years ago with a 2:1 in childhood and youth. I started uni when I left school in the 1980s but got pregnant in my first year so was asked to leave.
I trained as a nurse and hated it.

Wanted a degree before I turned 50. And o did it!

Looking at Masters now....😐

Just starting my second year in Psychology and I love it.. although it's going to be a lot harder now I have a newborn!

Fortunately for me my employer pays for my tuition fees but I have previously applied and taken student finance.

I did a BSc in mathematics via ou. I was a teenage single mum with 2 kids wanting to provide a better life. Best thing I ever did! About to start a second degree through them too.

Go for it, that is my advice

Smurf from the small bits of info I've read you would be likely to receive funding. Apparently you start to pay it back when you graduate and earn upwards of 25k. Not completely certain of this by the way. I'm definitely going to contact them tomorrow. I've already requested info for some courses.

@MakeYourOwnFuckingTea Tell your DH he can keep his laptop so you can get a new one

My dad is 66 and has just finished a BA in History. His parents would not support him financially to go to university when he was 18 as his father didn't believe in HE. He did it part time over 6 years and it was hard work but rewarding. He is about to do an MA now.

He did find some aspects frustrating and he had an issue at the end if the course where they mixed his final paper up with another student's which was stressful but it was sorted out in a few days.

Good luck!

Not at all MakeYourOwn
Which course are you thinking of doing?

How do you find out about loans for ou please?