To think I can do a degree?

[Canidouni]

I have GCSEs and a level 3 qualification. Level 3 qualification is 10 years out of date now though, GCSEs obviously older. I dropped out of A levels cause I was always partying. Stupid looking back.
Now I'm in my 30s and wishing I could do something. Needs to be distance learning due to caring responsibilities.
Open university says no entry requirements, so I was thinking I could get my teeth into a degree? Is it doable without A levels? I feel insane just thinking about it.
Am I being unreasonable thinking I'll be able to do it?

YANBU.
Make sure you do plenty of research to go for the right degree for you though.

It is 100% doable if you WANT it! Honestly, go for it. I have to work until I am 67 now. Think what you could achieve workwise with a degree.

Wishing you lots of luck.

Yes you can! I am doing my masters with the OU after completing a degree in 2019. The OU is very supportive and if I can do it anyone can!

Yes you can do it. I did, it took me about 8 years on and off but it's doable.

YANBU - very common these days to do a degree in your position. However, OU doesn't have a good reputation with employers and a lot of larger employers (or places like the NHS or to go into teaching etc) often won't consider an OU degree. Since Covid, a lot of more reputable universities offer online provision so I'd look into that.

I don’t see why you couldn’t but it might be worth starting with a lower level course to get yourself back into it? The OU offers some access modules.

Yes! I teach for the OU. You could try some of their free Open Learn courses - good way of seeing what interests you.

The OU has an excellent reputation with employers! Getting an OU degree shows that you have a huge amount of self motivation for a start.

I'm interested in psychology.
Did you just do a module at a time? Or is it better to commit to the whole degree?

Do it! I dropped out of college and got a job, worked in a call centre. Went to uni at 25 to study nursing, I have a diploma in nursing (almost a degree, I just didn’t have to write a dissertation) and have been qualified years now. Won’t lie, it was a struggle to start with, but I did sessions on essay skills and how to research with the library team which were invaluable.
Give it a shot, life is always the same unless you change it.

Slight tangent but...I used to work for the OU and have mentored PGCE students from highly regarded institutions with OU degrees so the reputation comment is perhaps unfair- if people are sticking to modules closely related to their subject. I can see why an Open degree may cause an issue there.

When I worked for them the majority had no A levels and got on okay with their level one module with me, as long as they were motivated and realistic about whether they had enough time to study. So definitely look at a degree in whatever format fits for you, OP, no harm in exploring further!

Do it!!! I buggered around at school and came out with 3 GCSEs. I then took an A level at night school and got a C. Twenty odd years later I decided I wanted a degree - it took me 5 1/2 years to complete but I'm now the proud owner of a BSc in Criminology and Psychology from the OU.
Oh and it's absolutely not true that employers don't like an OU degree - nonsense!! Go for it!

I’ve nearly finished my first year of, hopefully, 6 years to get a degree. I did an access course first because I hadn’t done any studying for 15 years. You have to be able to commit to 15 hours of study a week (I’ve not needed to do as much as that, but predict I will as the course goes on). There’s very good support with online tutorials, tutor support and pretty quick tech support.

@ScaredNotAnxious

YANBU - very common these days to do a degree in your position. However, OU doesn't have a good reputation with employers and a lot of larger employers (or places like the NHS or to go into teaching etc) often won't consider an OU degree. Since Covid, a lot of more reputable universities offer online provision so I'd look into that.

How do you know it doesn't have a good reputation? Has someone from the NHS recruitment team told you this or from the department of education?

I wouldn't do a degree unless you know why you want to do it. What do you want to do at the end of it?

Yep; I went to Birkbeck, who running evening degrees, in my late 20s, no A Levels. Did a certificate of higher education, got high marks so was able to join the 2nd year of their biomed course. Graduated at 30 with a 1st class BSc, and worked full-time alongside my degree (took me 4 years in total, including the CertHE).

Do an access course first. They're a great way to get back into education.

Of course you can!
I'm not much younger than you, also left school with GCSEs but never did A levels, wasn't sure I was academic enough to bother.
But the bullet and applied to do an access course at college before DD was even 6 months old, got decent grades there.
Started uni when DD was 1 and now I've just finished my first year of a law degree.
Go for it OP!!!

Bollocks does it not have a good reputation! It absolutely does! I did a ou degree with no a levels and went on to do a PGCE and am now a teacher. I got offered every PGCE place and job I went for!
Go for it and good luck!

@ScaredNotAnxious

YANBU - very common these days to do a degree in your position. However, OU doesn't have a good reputation with employers and a lot of larger employers (or places like the NHS or to go into teaching etc) often won't consider an OU degree. Since Covid, a lot of more reputable universities offer online provision so I'd look into that.

It's absolutely not the case that an Open University degree is not accepted by employers or academic institutions for further study. I'm not sure where people get this kind of misinformation from but I wish they wouldn't always turn up on these threads to spread it.

The only time you would come unstuck is if you wanted to pursue a graduate scheme which required a degree AND A levels, e.g. Teach First specifies this although a standard university based PGCE probably won't but may require certain GCSEs. So if you have an idea of where you want to continue onto after your degree it's worth putting in a bit of research to see if you need to add to your existing qualifications. However, a degree from the Open University will be accepted as a degree (and a reputable one at that) however you want to use it.

Lots of adults used to go straight into a degree. It is worth getting used to studying again. Open University do offer courses to that end.

Of course you can. I did it. Few GCSEs and out of school for 10 years before I did my nursing degree. I did have to do an access course first though which I did online at home. It really helped prepare me

^
YANBU - very common these days to do a degree in your position. However, OU doesn't have a good reputation with employers and a lot of larger employers (or places like the NHS or to go into teaching etc) often won't consider an OU degree. Since Covid, a lot of more reputable universities offer online provision so I'd look into that.^

I disagree. As a recruiting manager, an OU degree represents dedication and commitment, in often less than ideal conditions. I have never been let down by an OU graduate that I have taken on.

You only commit to one module at a time anyway, even if you sign up to a registered degree pathway.

Do it.

I started September 2016 with absolutely no qualifications at all.. I submit my last assignment on the 8th September this year 🥲. It’s long but totally worth it.

Of course you can! I did mine when I was 36. Just finished a Masters and now I'm publishing research and I'm going to be a lecturer! It has been the best thing I ever did for myself.