Open University Advice Appreciated

[HomeSchooling2021]

Hi All!

Just after some advice regarding courses available via The Open University.

For background, I'm a 36YO SAHM, 2 DDs High School/Primary Ages. Past 2 years suffered quite badly with social anxiety/agoraphobia and some depression (Lockdown significantly contributed)

DH has been happy to be the main breadwinner, and me do day-to-day running of the household etc. I have worked over the years, but mainly shop work, working up to low management for several years as well as Office worker/Admin Manager.

But over the last few weeks I finally feeling ready to take some steps forward. I really want to make my DH and DDs proud. I do not think I'm ready to be able to attend any form of course physically at this time yet, but I want to start somewhere.

I've looked at some of the courses available on The Open University which really appeal to me. With being a SAHM I have time in day while children at school, and evenings when they are settled.

Are they useful? For example,
I've adored being a SAHM, even enjoyed the Homeschooling so working in childcare could be an good option, do schools accept these qualifications?
Dream job has always been to be a midwife, but unsure where to start.
Would I qualify for a student loan and if yes how do you apply for it with OU? DH even though works, isn't something that would be able to fit within our budget.
Would there be other courses you suggest would be better to take first?
What GCSEs are required for the courses?
This is a huge step for me and I'm hoping I've not left it too late to try for a steady career, and really don't know where to start and how all works. Sorry its been a long one. Any advice would be massively appreciated xx

If you don't already have a degree, then you will qualify for a student loan to pay the fees. You only have to start repaying that when you earn above a certain amount, and it's written off if not all repaid after (I think) 30 years. (If you do have a degree, it is possible to get a loan but only for certain subjects.)

The OU is "open access", in that you do not need any qualifications to study with them - not even GCSEs! The first stage modules assume very little prior knowledge. If you haven't studied since school, it's often best to start with an "access" course - that may be free depending on your household income.

You can study full-time or part-time - part-time is often good especially to start with.

The OU doesn't offer a midwifery degree, so if that's your dream job it may not be the best route. However there are various degrees that might be of interest. I think medicine and related subjects are amongst the subjects for which it is possible to get funding even if you already have a degree, so you might not be ruling out doing midwifery later.

If you're interested in working in schools, there aren't formal qualifications required for teaching assistants (although there are courses available), but starting an OU course in childhood studies or similar would probably help if you applied. If you wanted to be a teacher, you need a degree, plus postgraduate training. Some people do a degree alongside being a TA, which means they have some experience as well as the degree.

Your best bet is to give the OU a call and ask to talk to someone about possible options.

OP you may like to know that this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4327788-Is-there-a-specific-Mature-Study-Retraining-board

is about to become part of a new Mature Study & Retraining board. Countless people looking to do the same as you - so do take a look.

Hi OP, I got a degree through OU (it wasn't my first degree) and found it a much more nurturing environment than my RG red brick. If you do register, make sure to join the Facebook groups (put your module code into fb and join every one that comes up) as they are invaluable for support.
There were quite a few women with agoraphobia in my year, due to it being a disability they were able to sit the exam at home with an invigilator (all organized by OU) and you might be eligible for disabled student award, which is some extra money to help manage your studies.
Go for it OP!