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Open university Ba honours early childhood

55 replies

Bluecarrotsgirl · 15/05/2021 19:28

Hello lovelies I am 21 years old and I am starting university this october 2021 I am really excited but nervous as I’m a mother of ones. Does anyone know any good study books that would be good for the course? I’ve ordered some on Amazon already but I want to be prepared

Open university Ba honours early childhood
OP posts:
lastminutetutor · 15/05/2021 19:40

All the materials will be provided by the Open University in the first few years and then you will look at resources in the University library (online). You only need books if they tell you. Just make sure you have about 15 hours a week to study. You might initially manage to complete the work in less time but later in the degree you will need more time.

Greybeardy · 15/05/2021 20:39

I wouldn't bother TBH - the OU are very prescriptive and don't encourage thinking outside their box. (Doing another course, but finding it frustrating)

Bluecarrotsgirl · 15/05/2021 20:47

Can I ask why not to bother? Not bother with the course or not bother getting books?

OP posts:

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Greybeardy · 15/05/2021 20:57

You’ll get all the books you need from them. They really don’t seem to encourage wider reading. For some modules they suggest pre-course books to read, but not all on the course I’m doing - it’s worth getting those to flick through, but I wouldn’t go any further than that.

MontysRoseGarden · 15/05/2021 21:06

i found it very similar. no encouragement to do more than the modules/assignments

it was very diluted compared to full time university i found (online network of same course, but in a physical uni)

Bluecarrotsgirl · 16/05/2021 18:59

Hey! Hope everyone is well and safe! I know I’ve been asking a lot about this uni course but I was wondering if anyone has done this BA Homs early childhood degree and could tell me how easy or hard it was and what was it like? This would help me a ton as I don’t want to waste time on a course😊 Thankyou!!!!

Open university Ba honours early childhood
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lastminutetutor · 16/05/2021 21:00

The first year will be easier if you have done A levels, but will be designed as an entry level module with lots of skills development even if you have no qualifications. Later years will get more difficult so make sure that you allow yourself enough time to study.

flashylamp · 16/05/2021 21:04

How easy or hard I think depends on individual ability. I am doing an open degree with OU and I struggled my way through my first module but found others easier. I think it was more about learning how OU worked and learnig how to study again after more than 25 years out of education.

You are quite young so haven't got such a big gap. How far did you go in school?

Fitforforty · 16/05/2021 21:06

What is your ultimate goal in doing the course?

Bluecarrotsgirl · 17/05/2021 12:11

I would like to be a child psychologist

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Bluecarrotsgirl · 17/05/2021 12:14

I’ve got level 2 health and social and level 3 early years childhood and have worked in a nursery since I was 17.

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TakeYourFinalPosition · 17/05/2021 12:22

I’d check that this degree would qualify you to be a child psychologist - it doesn’t look like it would, from first glance.

From a uni careers service:
An industry-approved doctoral degree is usually required to become a Child Psychologist. This must be in a relevant subject – such as psychology, nursing, social work, or sociology. You’ll also need to have at least two years’ (voluntary or professional) experience working with children or families to get started.

This doesn’t appear to have any industry backing and no longer qualifies for teacher training either, so you might find that it’s not very useful in terms of next steps and you need an additional degree or other future learning to get there. It’s worth checking Smile

I did a few law modules with the OU but half way through, they were reclassified and didn’t count as a qualifying law degree anymore; so I had to change to a different university and repeat the modules.

I will say that although I thought I’d love the OU and being able to do it from home around other commitments was a dream come true, I did love going to actual uni, and it was a totally different experience. We had a lot of random but useful conversations, lots more reading and learning, and it was nice to really “know” people who were studying. The OU was quite different; they didn’t encourage reading anything additional to the books they provided and the lectures and homework was very linear.

Hardchoices · 17/05/2021 12:28

This doesn’t sound like the right degree sorry. This degree won’t even get you into teaching. Surely you need to do a degree in psychology and then specialise in your masters to get your professional qualification after your degree?

bunburyscucumbersandwich · 17/05/2021 12:32

@Bluecarrotsgirl

I would like to be a child psychologist
Shouldn't you be doing a psychology degree then?
Bluecarrotsgirl · 17/05/2021 12:33

But it says on the careers bit that I can be a child Psychologist?

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beanys · 17/05/2021 12:33

To go on to specialise in child psychology, You will need to make sure it has a minimum of 60 credits aimed at psychology modules. (Average is 20 credits per module) so have a look at the Learning. Outcomes for each module.

Bluecarrotsgirl · 17/05/2021 12:34

:::

Open university Ba honours early childhood
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beanys · 17/05/2021 12:35

@Hardchoices

This doesn’t sound like the right degree sorry. This degree won’t even get you into teaching. Surely you need to do a degree in psychology and then specialise in your masters to get your professional qualification after your degree?
You can go on to become a teacher with this degree. You will have lots of options available to you so don't worry too much at this stage.
SavingsQuestions · 17/05/2021 12:38

To be a psychologist you would need a further conversion degree as it won't meet the bps requirements. Then a 3 year doctorate as well as experience.

However you might find other avenues you want to pursue after doing the degree.

PragmaticWench · 17/05/2021 12:39

To be a child psychotherapist or psychologist you'd need to study psychotherapy and then specialise I believe. This course wouldn't qualify you alone, you'd need at least one other degree and a post-grad degree or qualification, maybe both.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 17/05/2021 12:40

@Bluecarrotsgirl it says psychotherapist, but it also says some of those careers might need further study. The OU is a bit rubbish on that bit of the site... it just lists a load of random careers.

Bluecarrotsgirl · 17/05/2021 12:49

Yeah so after I have done this course I will have to study again post graduate course?

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SavingsQuestions · 17/05/2021 12:59

Yup. A conversion psychology course as it isnt a psychology degree. This could be 2 years or a 1 year master.

Then either way if you had gone the psycjology degree route the training to be a psychologist (clinical or educational 'both work with children) is a 3 year doctorate.

Howshouldibehave · 17/05/2021 13:03

That link says child psychotherapist, not psychologist.

To be an educational or clinical psychologist you would need a psychology degree and then a 3/4 year doctorate afterwards-this is extremely academic and very competitive and you may not get funding.

If you want to be a child psychologist, you are wasting your time and money on this degree as you will need another undergraduate degree afterwards before you even begin your doctorate.

Howshouldibehave · 17/05/2021 13:04

as you will need another undergraduate degree

Or a conversion...

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