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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Can anyone with knowledge of the 'Open University' help me please?

19 replies

Disenchanted3 · 22/05/2010 10:23

I want to do a course but left school with only GCSEs, never got any college qualifications.

I'm trying to figure out what courses I could do (an what course I want to do!)

and am a bit confused by all the 'points' and things! and whether I could do them in the first place!

OP posts:
menopausemad · 22/05/2010 10:41

Go for it! Best way to start is to look at the Openings courses. There are many subjects so I am sure you will find one that interests you. They are ten point level one courses but don't worry about that right now just get going. These courses include some study skills ( how to write an essay for example) and a lot of tutor suport. They are a brillant way of working out if the ou is for you without the huge expense of a bigger course. If you are in recepit of certain benefits you can get them free so worth checking.

I teach for ou and this year attended a students graduation. I taught her on an openings course Dix years ago. Her essay writing was crap and I failed her but managed to convince to keep going. When she rang to invite me to her graduation she told me all her plans for her Masters degree. The ou is a brillant place for people who want to move there lives forward.

I am very happy to answer any questions but advice is go for it!

menopausemad · 22/05/2010 10:42

On phone excuse speling etc please! I promise I am Ok really!

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 22/05/2010 10:45

Thankyou, I get income support and according to the website may be able to alot of them for free!

I think my essay writing will be OK, I got A's in English language and literiture at school and have continued to write for fun since.

I'm just not sure what to do,

All the childcare ones (which is what would fit in best for me work wise) require you to have been volunteering or working for 6months to a year, which I haven't.

Thankyou for replying!

OP posts:
Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 22/05/2010 10:46

Lol, don't worry, I never spell things properly online, i type too fast!

OP posts:
menopausemad · 22/05/2010 14:01

Try Understanding Children or Understanding Psycholgy. Both are very good.

Prolesworth · 22/05/2010 14:24

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Butterpie · 22/05/2010 14:28

Go for it You don't need qualifications for OU, you just need to be over 14. They are really good.

Prolesworth · 22/05/2010 14:32

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Butterpie · 22/05/2010 14:44

I did A103 back in the day and loved it to bits. I never did get round to finishing anything else though.

nighbynight · 22/05/2010 15:05

I have also done OU courses and found them excellent.

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 22/05/2010 16:59

Thankyou, am going to have a really good look when the kids go to bed.

OP posts:
MrsOCD · 14/06/2010 13:54

Hi Disenchanted. I'm in the same boat as you. Left school, don't have any college qualilfications but now want to do a OU degree but don't know where to start!

Anyone - I have 2 children to look after full time so the only time I could study would be for 1-2 hours an evening and for a few hours over the weekend. Childcare not really an option. With this is mind, would I be able to get through the studying?

Do you HAVE to go away on a residential one week course for every subject?

webwiz · 14/06/2010 17:10

Mrs OCD my advice would be to start gently - pick a level 1 30 point course (approx 10 hours a week studying)or one of the Openings ones to get used to the way the OU works and studying again. That way you should be able to fit around the kids. I always try to keep a week ahead of the course timetable to allow for the week when everyone in the house is ill or other disasters!

Also I didn't think there were many residential courses left, I certainly haven't done any.

MathsMadMummy · 14/06/2010 17:13

I love the OU. I'm doing a maths degree and, as we get housing benefit (DH on very low income) it is entirely free, plus I get a £250ish grant each year!

finance only applies for a full degree if you can complete it in 6 years, IIRC. no idea about openings courses though

MathsMadMummy · 14/06/2010 17:17

oh and forgive me for flouncing but please don't put inverted commas '' around the Open University. It's not one of these made up establishments, it's proper innit

MrsOCD · 14/06/2010 18:18

Webwiz - thank you. The Opening courses sound ideal. Just to give me an idea. It's been so long that it will seem all very new. I also need to be realistic and your idea of keeping a week ahead is a good one.

oooh, getting also nervously excited!

webwiz · 14/06/2010 21:12

I can't recommend the OU highly enough - I've just embarked on my first postgraduate course and am still enjoying myself

unfitmother · 14/06/2010 21:15

Go for it, I've nearly finished my OU degree.

Flisspaps · 25/06/2010 17:03

Its all good.

WRT to points: You need 360 points to get an honours degree (300 for an Open Degree). Some courses are worth more points than others, depending on their level or length. There are short 10 point courses, and then whole-year 60 point courses. I wouldn't worry about them for your first year though.

Don't just go for what suits you work-wise either, choose something that interests you personally

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