So where are these universities offering 100% coursework degrees?

[Themsthebrakes]

Could anybody provide examples of courses because I cannot find any. Thanks

Although now I think about it, I think there are exams in first year Eng Lit, which were different my first year because of Covid at that time.

Well, they have to do something I suppose! If they enjoy studying, they can probably get external help for managing their time and may eventually get there.

Yes, I suppose they have to do something. I just wouldn’t want to either undersell someone by saying they’re not mature enough to work, or oversell them by encouraging them to sign up for 3 years of difficult academic work when they’re not mature enough or capable. Is their maturity and ability likely to improve? Or will it be the same?

BA Fine Art in most universities has no exams.

OU BA English Lit & Creative Writing has no exams. You can check OU assessment routes by going through the modules required and seeing what the assessment methods are. Not sure if this list is still correct:

Creative writing
English Language
Combined STEM
Education Studies Primary
Childhood and Youth Studies
Social Sciences Psychology
Social Sciences Sociology

Are there non-exam access routes onto these courses which are also assessment based. basically, this is for my godson who has probably messed up his GCSEs because he cannot cope with exams even. Although lazy and dreamy, he loves studying and reading and wants to go to college. He doesn't want to do A levels and thanks to certain members of school staff, he has been talking about going out to work, completely oblivious of all that it would entail.

Currently lots have no exams because they were withdrawn during covid as there weren't the resources to have decent online variants. That doesn't mean they will stay though - ChatGPT and essay mills mean that lecturers are either going to have be even more creative with coursework or add in exams to make impersonation easier to process.

If he’s lazy and dreamy (rather than having some disability which would render him incapable) then work for a couple of years before deciding what he wants may be the best thing for him. If he can’t/won’t attain the qualifications needed to do a degree and doesn’t even know what degree he wants to do then he’s unlikely to cope with the workload required for a degree. If he is saying he wants to work then it may be best for him to work. It’s amazing how much working allows young people to mature. I coped with uni amazingly as a mature student and I think part of the reason is that I’d always worked before and had a different mindset. I knew what I wanted and how to work well.

I agree with @Kanaloa.

I feelthat there is too much information missing for people to give the best advice.

If this young person isn't motivated enough to self study they will really struggle to get a degree. Tutors don't remind students about deadlines. All communications about deadlines, exams etc are emailed to the student. Missed deadlines incur lower mark penalties.

Btec courses or T level options.

Suggest he looks into all options to give himself a choice on GCSE results day.

Apply for level 3 BTEC
T level and related level 2 options.

Look on the government apprenticeship site. See what options interest him. Apply for a few at different levels.

No exams? Tutors might as well just hand the degrees to ChatGpt.

@RampantIvy

That’s if you even get an email about the deadlines 😂 you usually have to search through the moodle webpage to find them! And there’s no spoon feeding either - you have to look up the submission dates, plan how long you’ll need, and break up the work appropriately, all with no help.

If he’s only just messed up his GCSEs then uni is a while away yet.

Sometimes it makes sense to get off the treadmill, find out what does motivate him and then take it from there.

When I speak to this age group I encourage them to consider what option is must likely to lead to success. Even if that’s a slight meander.

Suggest he looks into all options to give himself a choice on GCSE results day.

Apply for level 3 BTEC
T level and related level 2 options.

This sounds sensible. However, are there any good colleges (in London) offering these qualifications? From his descriptions, he would like to work as a PA in the City or in one of the large museums. He is interested in art history, history, creative writing, English literature, product design. The courses ar the local college do not seem to fit the bill. He wants to enrol on something which would allow him to progress onto one of the coursework degrees.

Counselling, University of East London:

uel.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/bsc-hons-counselling

I did a Drama degree at a top ten uni (relevant because people like to sneer at drama but if it’s at a good uni it won’t hold you back when applying for grad jobs). The only exams I did were practical.

What about an apprenticeship, with a view to doing a degree later?

A BTEC in Business Studies? I think it would all be coursework, he could then do an apprenticeship instead of a degree.

Business studies would suit his current career aim. There is a T level in business admin.

Lots of apprenticeships in business / admin too.

I wouldn’t look at planning too far ahead as he is at early stages and has a mix of interests. And these are likely to change. And that is ok.

Does he have an Art GCSE?

Look at the different colleges available. A ‘good’ college will depend on what is required. Highly academic v vocational choice v support available.
Go visit them. Ask questions.

Is the local college a sixth form college or an FE college? The offers would be better at FE.

His local college runs both a 16-19 prog and FE for adults. He has pretty much not sat a single full subject this year due to refusing to go in/leaving soon after arriving/failing to recognise any of the topics. He is not disruptive though, he is lovely and cooperative. He just cannot cope with the pressure of exam weeks due to mild ASD. This may sound unreasonable but the school mentor oversold him the whole idea of leaving school and going out to work. It never occured to him before that. He is not ready for it at all. He cannot manage his own money (apart from tuck shop money), he doesn't know how to chit chat.

So there will be a level 3 and 2 in business studies on offer at the college.
And possibly a T level.

The other option to look at is level 3 in 3D design (this should include product design)

Also check these out too

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-apprenticeships

There is never an option that is 100pc perfect. If he doesn't know what he wants then use a process of elimination- which is least worst.

Your local careers service may know of a pre apprenticeship / get ready for apprenticeship course. Or contact local council NEET - they ususlly have some great schemes to motivate and encourage.

Dont rule anything out.

If he wants a job then he will require a cv. He can look in indeed. Give him this task to do. Then also explore the other options (college/ apprenticeship) “just in case”.

ime reality of a job M-F doesn’t fair well cf college hours of under 20 hours/week.

So he isn’t ready to take a first job while living at home and be supported to learn money management, but he is ready to go to university (possibly away from home) and manage huge maintenance loans plus take on a full academic course load when he can’t manage attending school classes? It doesn’t sound like he’s ready for university. And to be honest, at least with a job if it doesn’t work he can quit. With uni he’s stuck with what he chooses/you find for him and will have spent his entitlement.

Just finished a Masters, no exams 100% coursework.

You do have to have an undergraduate degree first though.

Is your godson 16/ in year 11 op?