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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

Open University

79 replies

PyjamaFan · 03/10/2021 17:10

I was wondering how many of you are studying with the OU? My first module started yesterday and so far I'm really impressed with how well organised it all is. I'm also finding myself much more motivated and interested than I was first time around.

I'm studying module U116, Journeys through a Changing World, and am hoping to achieve a qualification in Environmental Science.

OP posts:
Sololifeisgreat · 04/11/2021 20:14

Currently in my fifth year - doing A326 Empire 1492-1975, very interesting but def a step up at level 3! Doing just for my own satisfaction so moved to pure history after starting as a joint french/history one but I wasn’t enjoying the language modules

katmarie · 15/11/2021 13:32

Hi everyone, I'm on my final module of my social psychology degree, doing DE300. The previous module was a bit of a slog, but I'm really enjoying this one so far. It's a mountain of work though, which is tough around work and kids. Will be so chuffed to finish next year though.

slashlover · 15/11/2021 15:19

@katmarie

Hi everyone, I'm on my final module of my social psychology degree, doing DE300. The previous module was a bit of a slog, but I'm really enjoying this one so far. It's a mountain of work though, which is tough around work and kids. Will be so chuffed to finish next year though.
I'll be doing DE300 next year, currently finishing my first TMA for DD310.
Jng1 · 15/11/2021 15:38

Am I right in thinking all OU modules are run online in your own time i.e. there's no scheduled 'zoom classes' together or anything?
I'm 2/3 through a degree in English Lit/Creative Writing via distance learning in Europe which I had to stop when funding was withdrawn due to Brexit Sad and the OU said I should be able to transfer the credits and complete it with them However I really enjoyed the live interaction with other students so it may not be for me.

SeekingBalance · 15/11/2021 15:50

I graduated with an open degree this year, all my modules related to either early years or primary education.
@Jng1 not necessarily, you have online tutorials which you book onto. This may be with your tutor or you may choose a different tutor if the timing suits you better. You use Adobe connect and you are all in a room together, you can talk and text with each other, some rooms may use cameras.
I have transitioned from face to face lectures to online, I missed the face to face but my grades didn't suffer. They do still organise face to face lectures, but be prepared to travel for them.

Dontbugmemalone · 16/11/2021 19:20

Can I ask people who have completed their OU degrees, did it help you find a job?
Is that job related to your degree?

As mentioned earlier, I am doing a geography degree and I'd like to make a career in something but don't know what.

TIA

RhubarbandGin · 17/11/2021 15:27

Hi,

I am in my first year of the OU studying DD102, and finding it really interesting but still daunting. How did other people find the module? Does it all start to 'click' at some point?

What career options do you think are realistically available with a psychology degree?

slashlover · 18/11/2021 22:43

@RhubarbandGin

Hi,

I am in my first year of the OU studying DD102, and finding it really interesting but still daunting. How did other people find the module? Does it all start to 'click' at some point?

What career options do you think are realistically available with a psychology degree?

I did DD102 as my first module, it does take a while to click and I remember thinking that I would never remember everything. Currently on level 3 and still feel that way for the first few months. I would say go to the tutorials, I usually attend a non-recorded one and then listen to the recorded one just before I start the TMA as I've been to really good and really bad tutorials. (I had an exam last year and one was useless.) I also took me until3rd year to realise that I could attend as many tutorials as I wanted.

I didn't like it but others changed from Psychology to Sociology because they enjoyed that module so much.

Here is some info about careers (didn't find this section until recently)
help.open.ac.uk/career-opportunities-psychology
help.open.ac.uk/students/_data/documents/careers/restricted/work-experience-psychology.pdf
help.open.ac.uk/browse/careers/careers-by-subject

Here's the OU jobs page so you can have a look

opportunityhub.open.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2fstudents%2fjobs

RhubarbandGin · 23/11/2021 15:46

Thank you so much @slashlover , I will check out the links and have a look.
Just had my second TMA score back and much better than the first one so I am feeling more confident. I will take on board your advice about the Tutorials too.

Iamnotamermaid · 26/01/2022 08:10

Working on my second degree. I like it - you need to be organised and disciplined. Often you can start a module with good intentions of keeping up with the timetable but it can slip. So have a structured timetable when you study and for any assignments - start them early so you get a feel for how long they could take.

BlodwynBludd · 27/01/2022 19:47

I'm on my first module of an MA with the ou and I find it's a it hit and miss on which tutor you get. Some on the module have had lots of support and calls with their tutor. Mine doesn't respond to messages within the agreed 5 days and won't do any additional support. It's difficult to complain because they mark all your tma's.

odey9621 · 12/02/2022 17:39

Hi all just come across your post! I’m studying criminology and law still waiting for attendance to be confirmed which iv been told starts from today did anyone have theirs confirmed soon after the 14th day? Xx

Leggingslife · 12/02/2022 17:45

Me. It's great.

BareBelliedSneetch · 12/02/2022 17:51

I did 2 OU degrees. First was an MSc related to work. They paid.

Next was environmental science. I finished a few years ago. I paid, but when the fees were a LOT lower.

U116 was a fun course!

And now I’m working in biological sciences. Which I could never have done without my OU degree.

shivbo2014 · 13/02/2022 07:03

I've just started my degree in Health and Social Care with the OU. Doing K102. I'm really enjoying it so far, we've had a few tutorials which have been really good! Also, have FB and WhatsApp groups which are really active, I think they're going to be a great support.

BouleBaker · 16/02/2022 09:03

I'm also studying with the OU. Started DD102 last September and am really enjoying it, looks like a few other people on this thread are on the same course. Have now use started DD103 so am a glutton for punishment!

SingToTheSky · 16/02/2022 09:17

I’ve just started DD102 as it happens :) first module on the psychology degree. I have studied with them before (including a similar version of this course, but it’s too long ago now) but got sick and had to stop.

christinarossetti19 · 16/02/2022 21:25

I'm on my second module with the OU, hopefully working towards and MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice.

I've found it pretty well organised etc but very different from eg attending evenings classes. Mainly working my way through online/textbook materials but a few tutorials via Adobe Connect in each module. Tutors are friendly and helpful. I've found what I've studied very interesting.

I can't continue after this module until I have a role, either paid or unpaid, in which to apply theory to practice though. I've been job-hunting for a long time now with no luck, so very sad that it's looking unlikely at the moment.

I've funded myself, but my dh did an MBA through the OU a few years ago fully funded by his employer.

GloriaPunniford · 18/02/2022 08:04

I did BSc combined STEM with the OU and it was really good. I did criminology and psychology modules mainly. Graduated with a first last year.
I’m now doing a Masters in criminology and criminal psychology somewhere else. I loved OU but their masters course doesn’t have a research module so I had to go elsewhere.

GoofyIsACow · 03/04/2022 22:14

Hi all, I am so glad i found this thread!
I did Y032 with the OU and am 75% ish through E102 (i have disliked this module intensely, although my tutor has been less than approachable so i suspect that is something to do with it)
It’s module one of Psychology degree but I don’t know what I ultimately want to do so I may change my degree to something more useable.
I am 40, three children and work 35 hours a week, it’s manageable. The tutorials are hit and miss, some are great, some have been ‘how to write an essay but called something else’
Overall I really rate the OU and am enjoying studying, i finished school at 16 and went to college to do NVQ’s so it’s way out of my comfort zone!
Great to read everyone’s experiences.

shivbo2014 · 04/04/2022 07:15

I'm starting E102 in October, currently doing K102. I thought the content looked really interesting. Is this not the case? Or is it just problems with your tutor?

Floydthebarber · 04/04/2022 07:24

Me. I am doing a BA in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, started in October last year. I am really enjoying it. The first two modules are arts and humanities as an introduction back into learning and I am tempted to change to Arts, Humanities and Philosophy as I and enjoying the A&H side so much. I like how it is a very gentle start back into learning.

Floydthebarber · 04/04/2022 07:31

Forgot to add, I have two small dc, work full time. Haven't studied since finishing my a levels 20 years ago. I am funding it through a student loan and figured that I stay in the role I am now (civil service admin level) I'll be very unlikely to earn enough to pay back the loan. But I'm hoping the degree will open up more job opportunities.

Tulipblacksmith · 10/04/2022 19:19

Me.
I’m in my 5th year soon to be final year in September, studying a health and social care degree. On track for a 2:1.

2lipsinamsterdam · 12/04/2022 15:57

Year five here too with one more year to go. Currently studying A363 Creative Writing for an Arts and Humanities degree.