Open University.. Experience

[Ihaveanidea33]

Hi all..I work part time and have a little one, I am also a single mum.
Through some personal experiences of mine I have realised I have a true passion for social care and would like to study to become a social worker.
My only option is to do a open university course because of my circumstances. I was going to do a certificate in social and health care to begin with. Has anyone attained a degree via the open university and can tell me your experience and how did you find distance learning? Thanks

Open University isn't your only option. There is also the University of London Worldwide which coordinates many online study options for some well known London universities. It's been around longer than the Open University (under various different names) but isn't as well known here because most of its marketing is aimed at overseas students. It has some prestigous alumni - Nelson Mandela was a student by correspondence when he was studying law in prison ... london.ac.uk/worldwide

I got my English degree via the OU and I found it great..you really have to be disciplined but it's definitely achievable.. good luck 🤞

Not in the same area but I had a friend who studied with the OU and got a degree (not in the same area as you). He really enjoyed it, found the online support helpful and ended up getting a top degree from the OU then going on to do a masters at Cambridge.

It works if you have drive and determination, I started twice and withdrew, I am married and worked part time when ds was little so had help and I loved the work and the meetup tutorials (whatever they called them) they were really good and useful.

But the deadlines were not for me. I did get good marks though

I do highly recommend it if you are fine with deadlines and may go back when I can work part time again (although I am overseas now so our version)

I was just going to start with a Certificate which is 2 years part time I think, I don't know if I can go straight into a degree in Social Care without any experience?
Also - do you just apply for a Student loan in the same way?
It's the thought of being in debt again!!!
I did a degree in Marketing and I've cleared my student debt now, the thought of having debt again!
x

I highly recommend the OU! I worked alongside my degree too, as seayork says you do need to be determined and have a lot of self motivation but honestly do it - you won't look back.

You can take it at your own pace which is amazing (as in you can sign up for 1, 2, 3 or 4 modules at once - 4 being a years worth of studying full time)

As for the debt.. its worth it if it means working in a field that you love. As you know from your previous student loans, you just pay back small amounts each month based on your earnings.

Do it!!