Open university funding

[RyanBergarasTeeth]

Not really an aibu but has anyone done an OU course? How do I go about funding for an adult in full time employment? Dp looking to do OU and preferably studying full time in the evening so course is 3 years not 6. The website says we would need to apply for part time funding even if he plans to do the course full time. How does this work? Does student loan cover the full cost of the course for each year or are they only going to pay half as its part time funding?

OP theres absolutely no harm in him trying to do it FT.

Some are making it sound like a cliff edge and you’re either on or off it.

You can sign up to as many modules as you see yourself comfortably completing (up to 120c). If you start struggling there’s extensions and if still struggling you’re able to defer the module/s. It also depends heavily on the subjects, if I was doing an open degree and say.. french and physics it would be a lot harder to flip between those topics at a busy assignment time than it is to flip between fluid mechanics and dynamics.

@AOwlAOwlAOwl you’re correct, it’s gone like this (i was set to finish in Y4 but I had a baby and wasn’t concentrating like before so deferred the ones that took more mental capacity and kept the easy one) and in my subject you have to do L1 PT:

Y1 60
Y2 60
Y3 120
Y4 30
Y5 90

Nothing is set in stone. Anyway, I’ll stop goinn on about them now

Many of the level 1 modules can be started in either October or February. I'd recommend that he start 60 credits in October, with the intention of picking up the other 60 in February. That would mean things would be slightly less intense, as the study would be spread across a year instead of 9 months. It also means that if he decides he is at full stretch with 60 credits, he can delay starting the second 60 until the next October. If it's a subject where there are some 30 credit modules, the other possibility is to do 90 credits a year, which is a bit more manageable and would take 4 years.

The ballpark figure for a 30 credit module is 8-9 hours a week, double that for a 60 credit module. Undoubtedly some students take less, especially at level 1 where they may have prior knowledge that helps, but until you've got going it's difficult to know what the figure will be for any individual. Having you being supportive will help no end, because the study time will use up most of what might now be free time or family/couple time.

Harold Wilson must be turning in his grave. He regarded the OU as his greates achievement, because it enabled ordinary working class people to access university for free and still support their families.

Now, people have to pay out thousands in fees and people on low incomes can't afford to study.

Thats a great point about starting in the October. And yes i am there to support him all the way if that means im doing all thr housework and cooking and helping where needed. I just want him to be proud of himself and follow his dream. He is currently having health problems so we are getting ready to go to a&e (111 advised) so im hoping we can sort out his health and his mental health will improve. This year is all about tackling what has been neglected in him for years. I know once he starts open uni he will thrive as it will make him feel he has a purpose.

Lakielady thats true :( we cant afford for him to quit his job but he will never become a teacher otherwise.

Hi OP I'm doing full time study with the OU. I'm on level 3 now and on track to finish this academic year. I personally find the work doable but you have got to be very committed to getting it done when you have the time. I don't work but I've been homeschooling three kids and looking after a baby since last April so my study time is literally just evenings.
Its doable but you have to be disciplined and realise that family time and hobbies will be sacrificed temporarily to get the work done.

@LakieLady

Harold Wilson must be turning in his grave. He regarded the OU as his greates achievement, because it enabled ordinary working class people to access university for free and still support their families.

Now, people have to pay out thousands in fees and people on low incomes can't afford to study.

The Open University ceased to be free in the same way that other universities ceased to be free; the government decided that students should pay fees, rather than the government funding their education in full.

However the good news is that OU students now qualify for the student loan system, like students at any university. That means they do not need to pay any fees whilst studying, but will have to start repaying the loan when they earn above a certain threshold, at a percentage of their earnings above that threshold. After 30 years, any amount left owing is written off. Some students will never have to pay off any of the loan, and many students will not pay it all off.

Whilst we might yearn for the days when HE was free to all, you do not need to have the means to pay for it at the point of study, and you only have to pay back as your means allow.

I should perhaps add that the OU is considerably cheaper than most universities. This year, that makes them particularly good value for money, as they are already experts in delivering distance-learning!

I've just finished a Masters with the OU. If he's committed and supported (logistics, domestic responsibilities etc) he should be fine. It's not as hard as they like to make out.

Thank you @2021optimist. See i bteezed through uni work really fast so have no frame of reference that some people take a while. Apart from work and seeing his dd once or twice a week i would do all housework and cooking and would happily look after dsd for him to work and keep him motivated. :)

Yes the OU is still relatively speaking very good value for money. It does cost a lot more now than when I did my degree, but with fee loans it doesn't feel too painful tbh. Good luck to your DP, I am sure with your support he will make a success of it.

It isn't true that you can't study and work full time. It depends on your work hours for a start. I used to work 50-60 hour weeks and study full time. However, I had no life on the weekend or in the evenings for a long time!

I used to spend significantly less time studying than recommended and came out with a 2:1. So it can be done.