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 Level 3 qualification is 10 years out of date now though, GCSEs obviously older.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?

I've just finished year one of my OU degree and love it. Couldn't recommend it highly enough

@ScaredNotAnxious you’re totally wrong on all counts.

I’m coming to the end of a BEng and enormous highly sought after employers like BAE, Airbus, GE, CAF rolling stock and Babcoc have all been super keen about the OU degree (my own employer too). Some even come in to residential schools to recruit graduates..

Of course I only know this particular degree but it’ll be true for other specialisms too.

Hey! This could have been written by me! I signed up with the Open Uni in February and I am currently doing the Y031 Arts and Humanities access course. It gets you back into the learning habit, and is less than a year long. Next Feb I start doing a BA (Hons) in Classical Studies which is a life long dream. I never completed a-levels, I was too busy chasing boys around lol. I'm 37. Never too old! If you need any help or advise, let me know and I'd be happy to! :)

Yep deffo can - i did and graduated at 30. the first module of OU tends to focus on developing the skills to weitr at uni level. I had a fab experience there and would happily do my post grad there in the future.

@scarednotanxious bullshit. I (and many others I know!) did an OU degree, got my dream job through it and have had nothing but positive reactions from employers.

Have you looked into a foundation year? Don’t believe you require UCAS points.

Go for it OP, OU is an amazing institution. I had a much more positive there than at my RG uni.

I'm halfway through an OU psychology degree. I used to work in retail (lots of psychology at play there!) but now I work in an office environment.

The fact that I was doing the OU degree definitely helped me get my current job, I was demonstrating a willingness to set myself goals and achieve them. Doing the OU work online got me up to speed with using tools like Office 365 and PowerPoint.

For the OU psychology degree, I probably wouldn't bother with an access course first, because your first two modules are designed to get people into studying and essay-writing if they've never done it or had a long break. You are very well supported, there is a wealth of information in the online modules. I'm doing one module per year (six in total) which I can manage alongside work and family commitments. I would personally struggle to do two because I have limited support at home, but many people do cope.

I only wish I'd started the degree sooner.

I looked in to the access course but it said I can't use a student loan to pay for it, and I can't afford to pay for it. If I go straight to degree I get the loan....
I think I might give it a go. Nothing to lose really.

@Canidouni

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 a module and see if you enjoy it. You don't have to commit to a full degree but you can choose to later on.

Just try it and good luck!

Definitely, as an ex-level one tutor we definitely had it in mind and in the course that the majority of students would be either brand new or maybe on their second module and most likely out of practice with study so you definitely don't need to worry about that.

It used to throw me the odd time I had a student that had chosen OU at 18/19 years old, as their study skills and available time to study were generally good, and the odd time I got someone who was doing a level one module to make up their points to complete their degree. Good variety but when I was tutoring the physics bits (with an A level) to someone about to get an astrophysics degree it was bit odd. Good job he was lovely and found it all amusing!

So I guess what I'm saying is that OU tutors are all normal everyday folk and those on level one courses know that half the battle for students is getting back into study. If my module hadn't finished existing I'd have totally carried on doing it until I had DD, it was really enjoyable work.

@Canidouni

I looked in to the access course but it said I can't use a student loan to pay for it, and I can't afford to pay for it. If I go straight to degree I get the loan.... I think I might give it a go. Nothing to lose really.

Are you on any form of benefits OP? UC etc? If so, the fee for the access course is waived x

I did a degree with an 8 year old access course qualification. I went to university for 3 years, I mean I didn't do open university. I passed all my assignments first time and did fine!

Its a different loan for level 3 - www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

If you go on to do a degree then the level 3 loan gets written off.

I did a degree at 35yrs old with no Alevels.

Yes you can, go for it!! I also dropped out of A levels due to partying too hard but did a Psychology degree with the open University and haven’t looked back. It was a fantastic experience, enjoyed every minute of it- did it part time (evenings and weekends) whilst working full time. It is doable if you really want it. Good luck OP

I have a degree from a regular uni, but have also studied with OU. The OU is far superior in every way. I've done humanities subjects just because I fancied it, and work related modules (I'm a nurse). The NHS does not look down on OU degrees. I got much more for my money from OU, can't fault it.

@SicParvisMagna

Are you on any form of benefits OP? UC etc? If so, the fee for the access course is waived x

only carers allowance. DH has a good wage. I'm a parent carer. Household income of 28k ish.

You can use an advanced learner loan for some access courses

Hmm, I'm afraid I'm not sure about carers allowance. My husband is on a similar wage and we get a small top up of UC. Doesn't matter the amount, as long as you claim it, you can get the fee waived. I cant see if carers is the same. You can always email or call them? I've found they've been super helpful for me every time I have had to contact them, and they usually get back to you pretty quick. They can go over all your options then. Definitely do it though! I'd ummed and ahhed about it for years. I had to quit my job in Feb for health reasons so it was as good a time as any! Haven't regretted it once x

I had an Advanced Learner Loan which paid for my access course. It's written off if you complete a degree.

www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

I doubt caters allowance would be counted. As you get that fur a situation rather than income level.
Advanced learner loan is a good option.

Definitely do an access course, OP. I'm a mature student and starting a degree in Septemeber. I posted a thread yesterday asking about whether I could go straight onto the degree without doing a Foundation Year first (offered a Foundation Year by the Uni as I don't have A Levels) and got an absolute pasting from Posters.

@blaisealex

Definitely do an access course, OP. I'm a mature student and starting a degree in Septemeber. I posted a thread yesterday asking about whether I could go straight onto the degree without doing a Foundation Year first (offered a Foundation Year by the Uni as I don't have A Levels) and got an absolute pasting from Posters.

Really?? What on earth is wrong with some people!

@Canidouni

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

I'm one year into a psychology degree with the OU, you sign up for one module at a time, so no big commitment.