To ask if anyone has studied with the Open University

[LuccyLuck]

Not looking at doing a degree course but a certificate in Higher Education in an area that I already work in, but I am not qualified and most of the team I work with are. Anyone done this? Is it worth it?

Btw I work 20 hours per week and would go for the part time learning.

Hi OP,

I’m studying with the OU, and so is my teenage son,

If I were you I’d ask my line manager / HR department. What outcome are you looking for? It sounds like you’ve already got the job, even though you are not qualified and most of your team is. Are you looking for progression? Promotion or pay rise? Can you ask your employer ‘I want to achieve xyz - will an HNC with the Open University help me with that?’. Maybe first look at what other people in your field who do have an HNC are getting.

If you do enrol with the OU, I’d definitely recommend their Careers Department and making the most of all they have to offer. They’ll do a 1-to-1 Zoom call and provide ongoing support.

Also, consider a student loan: if you enrol on a degree course and it’s funded by student loan, you’re absolutely allowed to discontinue your studies after completing 120 credits - meaning you successfully walk away with an HNC.

If you enrol on an Access module, you get a real taster, lots of support and can take advice on next steps + use the Careers Department for the duration of your studies and for 3 years after.

Best wishes x

My daughter is and she is loving it. She works full time, and is on Y3 of her degree. Yes at times it is a struggle to fit it all in, but she is determined to continue and get her degree. We are all so proud of her, as it really shows tenacity to keep going year after year while working 40 hours a week in a busy job.

I did a few modules with them and I did not enjoy it. I did further distance learning Masters with main stream universities and I found the tutors to be of a better calibre, better course options and just a better fit for me overall.

Fitting in study was never an issue with any of the distance learning options- the trick is to study in bite size pieces and be consistent. 30 mins everyday adds up.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I did my entire degree with the OU, loved it! (Health reasons meant distance learning was best.) I started with a certificate to see how it went and just carried on going.

I thought they were very good at taking you from 0 - degree level in the early modules, presumably this is because you don't need any qualifications to start studying there. So there was GCSE level (and below) content included in the first year.

I am currently studying with the OU. I enjoy it and have reached year three; hoping to complete my degree and move on professionally.

It definitely does depend on your needs and whether you are able to commit to the required hours of study each week. It is flexible but the final exam dates cannot be changed nor can final assessment submissions, though there are permitted extensions if you need them to manage your work/study balance.

The only additional points I would add is to see if your workplace can fund your qualification as many do. Your workplace may require a prerequisite period of employment, during which you must work for a certain number of years before changing companies or career paths; something to be mindful of.
A final point...I would recommend contacting student support and talking through your study plans. They are well versed in offering you multiple pathways to gain your preferred qualification.

Good luck👍

You may like to browse the Mature Study and Retraining board, @LuccyLuck, as there are many threads there about studying with the OU.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students