Anyone with experience (good or bad) of the Open University?

[becaroo]

Thinking of starting a part time degree course in feb next year but unsure as I dont know anyone who has done a degree this way. My SIL thinks it would take too long (6/7 years) but I feel I would like it as I could choose my modules and create a degree just for me and in my own time. Also I havent studied since (gulp) 1992 so a bit worried I wont have the skills necessary. Any mumsnetters done an OU degree? Would appreciate some info/advice

Hi Becaroo. I've done lots & they are great. If you start with a level 1 course then they will hold your hand through the studying - they are designed for people who havne't studied for a long time. It does take a long time, although you can in theory do one in 3 years if you have the time.

A 60 point course is a lot of work, and 2 30 point courses is even more work.

They are great fun to do and really give you a boost. There are classes and meet-ups too, and summer schools which are great fun (I vaguely remember some nights out ).

You can test the waters with a 10 point course - will cost around £99 and not take too much time. Take a look at www.open.ac.uk and have a look at the courses there.

I did my first module when I was pregnant with my DD, who is now 17 months and am starting my second in February (from switzerland!). The Level One courses are perfect for people coming back to studying or taking on a new subject, there is plenty of help available and a big support network/community online which I found really really useful as I was unable to get to the tutorials. There was no way I could have done it in 2/3 years but tbh I love the fact I have a few more years of leisurely studying, learning for the pleasure of it. Would thoroughly recommend it.

My mum did an OU degree 20 or so years ago when I was growing up and was then accepted onto a one year teacher training course. She is now a deputy head!

I'm in my third year of law, so I'm on my fifth course. It is a really good way to study with kids, I've done most of mine after they've gone bed. The courses I've done have all been very well laid out, with all the information I've needed so you jsut work through it and it is interesting and quite fun. It is a bit stressful at times, espcially at exam times, but if your partner is supportive that is a big help. I'm hoping to complete mine in a total of 4 years, I did four courses over the first two years then spaced out the harder level 3 courses - so it doesn't have to take that much longer than a full time degree.

I started a PGCE with the OU. I found the academic material and tutor support for the academic part of the course excellent. However I had to give up the course because the OU could not find me a school for teaching practice and they rejected the the school that I found for teaching practice.

I think the OU is great for academic courses, but not for anything that is vocational.

Thanks guys....think i will start with a short course and then go on to the introductary course and go from there - found your comments very helpful

Hi becaroo. I never seem to see threads I could post on til they are over and done with so to speak, but hope you see this anyway! Don't worry about not having studied for so long, I'd not done anything since 1987 when I took the plunge in 2003 and trust me, it does all come back. I've done some 30 point Level 1 language courses and loved them, even when it got a bit stressful near submitting TMA time (that's my fault though, I do always leave things to the last minute). Went to all the tutorials and found it really useful, even if only to realise that everyone else is in the same boat with the same concerns etc. Started a 60 point Level 2 English course this time last year, hadn't quite appreciated that yes, the level of studying would really shift up a gear (not v bright on my part). Also wasn't able to get to the tutorials which did make a big difference to my motivation levels. However, managed to cope OK til Feb then had to withdraw from course, not in the end due to the studying, but because my marriage fell apart rather suddenly and unexpectedly. Being single parent to 4 DCs was all I could cope with at the time. Guess that bit sounds negative, but in the summer I'd recovered a bit so enrolled for (and completed) a 10 point course like the ones arfishymeau recommended, just for my own self-esteem really. Don't know what your interests are but I guess being on mumsnet children may feature somewhere! The course I chose was Understanding Children and it was brilliant (to the extent it has even made me consider training as a Primary School teacher but I'll be asking advice on that on mumsnet first before I commit!). Although there were no tutorials the tutor was brilliant about keeping in touch, in my case by e-mail, and was incredibly supportive. I think it came under the umbrella of Openings courses which are v good if you are new to the OU and there are several different subjects available. Hope you find something that suits you and on balance I would say, go for it, the sense of achievement even when you complete just one course is great! Good luck.

I'm doing a literature degree with the OU.

I've just finished a level 3 Shakespeare course. FanblimmingTastic! Went to Summer School (a must!) and had a great time.

I've just started a 30 point French course and my next literature course starts in February (a 60 pointer). I've done 3 years already, between children (so it's taken far more than 3 years.. as I stopped and started). So 90 points this year and next so that I can graduate.

Go for it! Excellent support from the OU and they also have online support in the form of FirstClass (where you can meet people and ask questions etc).

Start with level 1 and you'll be hooked.

Dancinggirl....Am considering doing Art History as it really interests me and I would love to do something that is just for me (v. selfish!) You have inspired me and I am going to register this afternoon! thanks everyone for the advice!

hi becaroo. Ive just started level one of a psychology degree. To complete my degree it should take about 4 years i think. Its hard work to begin with, but im starting to get into it now and plan my time a bit better. Im very glad ive started it

I used to be an OU tutor and speaking from the other side of the fence, I found the coursework very informative and up to date. Course tutors are well supported and supervised, which hopefully has a positive knock-on effect for you as students.

Good luck!

Did you pay for your OU corses monthly or in full? Some of them are quite expensive and cost even more if you are abroad, just wondering how you all financed it?

i can recommend ou courses. this year will be my last for an honours degree. i started about 10 yrs ago, then stopped for a while - too much work and have just been finishing the last few years. so it's no problem to take a break for a while. the u courses, in particular, are v interesting and i also followed my own interests - environment and french, and this year innovations. as long as you have a proportion of courses which are core subjects in the national curriculum you can use your degree for teaching too at primary level. not sure what you need for secondary level. as for paying i've always had to use a credit card and then try and claim back some as a grant the following spring. but it might be different for me as i'm in jersey. good luck