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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I can do a degree?

99 replies

Canidouni · 09/07/2021 19:48

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 Level 3 qualification is 10 years out of date now though, GCSEs obviously older.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

OP posts:
AwaAnBileYerHeid · 09/07/2021 22:19

@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.
What nonsense.
BatshitCrazyWoman · 09/07/2021 22:20

I did my degree with the OU. I have A levels, but I was in my 40s when I started my degree, so they were a distant memory! No need for an access course.

User6463268578 · 09/07/2021 22:23

Just do it.

In 3 or 4 years time you will still be 30 something whether you have a degree or not!!!!
You will find it easier as an adult to learn something than as a child, just go for it!!!

slashlover · 09/07/2021 22:29

@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 currently doing psychology with the OU, will be starting my 5th year in October. You do a module at a time and can take breaks if you need to, and it allows you to change your optional modules if you find one you like better. If you're doing it part time then it's 6 years but the past four have gone very quickly for me. You need to be organised and dedicated because there's nobody chasing you if you fall a few weeks behind, although the tutors are helpful if you ask.

You actually get a qualification after 2 and 4 years - a certificate and then a diploma.

MonsterMunchConnoisseur · 09/07/2021 22:31

Ignore the poster saying that employers don't take OU degrees seriously. Utter tosh! Every employer I have ever spoken to has been very impressed with people doing OU as it proves that you can not only be very self disciplined but proactive and have great organisations skills as well as being smart enough to do the degree in the first place.
I did a degree with the OU and while it was hard, I don't regret a second of it.

slashlover · 09/07/2021 22:32

@User6463268578

Just do it.

In 3 or 4 years time you will still be 30 something whether you have a degree or not!!!!
You will find it easier as an adult to learn something than as a child, just go for it!!!

That's what I was told, I will be 45 when I qualify (fingers crossed) and will still have probably at least 20 more years of working so why not?
inmyslippers · 09/07/2021 22:37

I did an access to uni course at college. Top student was a 47 year old woman.

Panaesthesia · 09/07/2021 22:43

I mean, are you very wealthy? If yes, then sure - education is wonderful, enjoy it.

If no... then don't do one because you think the thousands it will cost you will be earned back later with some sort of amazing well-paying job. It won't be. You'll just have a random degree from the OU, debts, and still no idea what you want to do.

Pick a goal - and if the goal is a lucrative and successful career, pick carefully - and do the things needed to reach that career. Don't do all this training and spend all this money just to take a low-paid role. with no future.

Panaesthesia · 09/07/2021 22:44

(I retrained at 35 and got a new career, very well paid with lots of scope for promotion, but I didn't do it with thousands of Uni debt.)

FangsForTheMemory · 09/07/2021 22:46

Do it. The OU isn’t the only way: I did my MSc part time at a university. It was only one afternoon and evening a week.

Youdiditanyway · 09/07/2021 22:49

@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.
This simply isn’t true. I’m a FE tutor so teach adult learners and some of them go on to do OU, I have lots of experience with OU and it definitely is widely accepted. Some employers prefer it if anything because it shows a good level of motivation and self discipline.

Of course you can do a degree!

salviapages · 09/07/2021 23:27

You definitely could do it! You could try doing an online course with FutureLearn? They are short and very affordable so could be good if you want to test the waters

I would say if you can, try to take a course on academic writing because it's very different to other kinds of writing and getting things like citation right can be hard. A friend struggled with her PGCE essays even though she had loads of experience and knew the content inside out, she just had to resubmit them so they met the 'academic' style of writing. It's silly but it's just the way it works so it's god to just learn what they want as soon as you can so if that becomes an issue you don't doubt yourself, you'll just know it's their silly way of doing things

KittyMcKitty · 09/07/2021 23:40

@BatshitCrazyWoman

I did my degree with the OU. I have A levels, but I was in my 40s when I started my degree, so they were a distant memory! No need for an access course.
Agree totally - I have A levels (and 2 years of degree in brick Uni) but that was 30 years ago. I’ve nearly finished my first module (A111 to be precise) and it’s really straight forward, no need for an access course - I’m slightly kicking myself that I didn’t do 2 level 1 courses this year.
Poppins2016 · 09/07/2021 23:50

I'm 2 years into my OU psychology degree and enjoying it.

I have GCSEs to my name and that's it... I would call myself 'academically able but not qualified'. I didn't do an access course and have no regrets about that, the OU eases you in gently!

lastqueenofscotland · 09/07/2021 23:52

What do you want out of it? It is virtually impossible to get a psychology related job without a masters if not PhD. So if it’s career related I’d have a think.
Again OU isn’t loved by the NHS so if you wanted a clinical role, I’d look at a bricks and mortar setting that offers an online option.

memberofthewedding · 10/07/2021 00:28

I qualified in a first profession (Librarianship) but after some years found that my qualifications had become devalued due to structural changes in the profession and in the education system.

I dropped off the career ladder in my mid 40s. With no A levels I got offers from all 5 universities on my UCCAS form. I got an instantaneous offer from my preferred university by sending some samples of my writing up front. I later got a 1st, MA (with distinction) and a doctorate from one of the best universities in the UK. I became an academic. I never went back into librarianship because returning to education opened up many new options for me. I retired from employed work some years ago and now run my own business.

Go for it.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/07/2021 06:57

The OU is brilliant. Go for it!

As pps have said, an OU degree needs a lot of self discipline and commitment, which is why so many employers respect it.

Rhubarbfizzles · 10/07/2021 07:33

^^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.

This isn’t true, a lot of employers value an OU degree because it shows an excellent work ethic. Most people have usually managed to get their OU degree whilst working part time or full time.

I know this because several employers offered me a job after getting my OU degree and mentioned they were impressed with my commitment to study/progression and asked about it during interviews.

Just make sure the degree you choose is something your really interested in otherwise it can be a huge struggle (I started a different degree for the wrong reasons before changing to psychology).

OneinNine · 10/07/2021 07:55

Anyone who manages an OU degree is by definition very self-motivated and can work independently both admirable skills for any employer. They also have years of experience in providing remote learning - much more than most other universities and it shows. My top tip (was an OU tutor for several years) is not to over-stretch yourself. Each year I had students who decided to embark on multiple courses and then invariably drop out of most or all. Also to make full use of any assigned tutors - they are paid to offer support but many students do not ask for help when they need it.

Crazysheep · 10/07/2021 08:05

I'm 37, 3 kids and working and have just finished an OU degree, I really enjoyed it and am considering doing a masters. It was also accepted by a government agency for access to a grad scheme in a totally different field just for reference.

moofolk · 10/07/2021 08:09

Entry requirements different even in trad universities.

Open university is good and highly respected, but don't rule out others.

I got into a Russell group uni via an unorthodox route with a story similar to yours.

Royalbloo · 10/07/2021 08:11

Do it! I don't have a degree but have nearly finished my work-based Masters. It's done wonders for my self-esteem and my career. X

Mulberry974 · 10/07/2021 08:16

I did an OU degree years after getting very poor A Levels and loved it. I've also only ever had very positive reaction about my degree from employers. The comment about the OU not being good was tosh.

If you want to do a degree with them, some things to consider:

*Sign up for return to study short courses on essay writing and revising. They will help hugely.
*Only think of enrolling one module at a time, it makes it easier to deal with.
*Only do a OU degree in a subject you love, it's a big commitment and having a passion for the subject will make it amazing rather than a slog

tintodeverano2 · 10/07/2021 08:42

Do an access course first. This is equivalent to a-levels and will get you back into studying.

alloutofcareunits · 10/07/2021 08:46

Definitely go for it, I did my degree with the OU in my twenties with only a few GCSEs. My DH did his in his late 30s and graduated with a first, he'd done nothing since school, no A levels or any qualifications at all. We both worked full time throughout as well and had DD when he did his. Good luck