'Recent study' options in preparation to apply to uni

[littlebluetrain]

The undergraduate course I want to apply for requires mature students to have undertaken some formal study within the last 5yrs. (I have an undergrad & postgrad but it's been over 10yrs since I studied!)

I've been in touch with the admissions team at the uni to ask about my individual situation and they just keep referring me to the prospectus, where it outlines entry requirements...

For people who already have a first degree, they recommend doing a 30 credit course at the OU at level 1 or above. But the only 30 credit courses are the Access ones (which are below level 1) or modules in stuff like software development (not my field).

All the relevant modules are 60 credits, which means a full year of study. I really don't want to have to do a full year just to potentially be accepted on to a degree course that is another 4 years long. I am guessing that half a year is not feasible either as I would still have to pay for the 60 credits.

My question is: do you think a short, accredited course would suffice? There are some on offer from another uni that are 15 credits at postgraduate level. Could possibly do 2, as they are inexpensive and run only for 8 weeks or so. Much easier to contend with while working, rather than 9 months' worth of OU study.

Has anyone done similar?

Can you really not say what your subject is? I mean I can understand they might be quite strict on entry requirements for everyone if you’re planning to become a medic. But surely they wouldn’t want the same for Theatre Studies (where I’d assume a good level of informal experience would be persuasive.)

I dunno. It sounds draconian! There was a quarter of a century between my undergrad and postgrad degrees - with no connection whatsoever between them. I had dabbled in a leisurely way in the new subject - no one said anything about ‘credits’!

Sorry - I can’t answer your question.

Are neither 1) another university nor 2) a postgrad instead, viable options for you?

It's an allied health course and unfortunately the only one accessible to me in terms of distance and cost. I think they're quite strict because they always receive loads more applications than there are places and they want to give them to people who are capable and sufficiently knowledgeable about what the profession entails.

Weirdly, in general if you want to study at postgraduate level, you don't need evidence of recent study, or so I've found.

Depends on the uni. I did a simple college course for mine (a level equivalent course). Although it isn't a particularly competitive field.

I had a very old degree, and some in between relevent qualifications.

I have spent three years wondering if they let me on the degree course by mistake though.

Make sure that you have work experience under your belt, so you can talk that through at interview.

I did a gcse for mine -over a year distance learning.

(Was in law which i then did a degree in I assume for health you'd want more sciencey ones.

I did two very relevant 10pt OU courses and sold the hell out of them in the personal statement. Only had 12 year old a levels prior to them. Did have some volunteering and slightly related work experience.

But I was on the course with several people who had done the full access course on top of a first degree. One woman had done a language A Level over a year on top of an arts first degree. Lots of recent related first degree graduates too. A real mix!

Hey, current university student here. I needed recent study within the last five years. The requirements were it had to be at level 3 (A-level equivalent) or above and be examined. I did a level 3 online course with Learn Direct which took a few months and that was sufficient.

I retrained as an AHP starting 15 years ago. I did an A level with the National Extension College - I had experience of arts studies but wanted to prove to myself that I could manage a science course.

You would have to check with the admissions department for the course you are interested in. Nothing worse than doing any course and then finding out they aren't 'enough'.
Have you looked into k102 of the OU. It's 60 credits and level 1, but perfectly manageable whilst working full time. Most universities seem to like it from mature students for AHP's, but again you would have to check.

I had this stipulation when I wanted to apply for speech and language therapy postgrad at Leeds, >15 years ago. Despite me working in clinical research at the time, requiring extensive 'study' and writing......

They suggested I do an A-level in a relevant science subject (I assume this was in the time before credits etc). I already had done A-level biology, chemistry, physics and psychology and didn't want to do them again! I found the whole process, and their inflexibility so frustrating (and reeked slightly of ageism to me; someone with my qualifications but applying aged 25 would not have to repeat an A-level to get on the course) that I gave up and never applied.

You didn’t try any other university, Tarnation?

(What did you do instead?)

*You didn’t try any other university, Tarnation?

(What did you do instead?)*

No, I was living just outside Leeds and the next nearest university (Manchester I guess) would have been too hard to get to around childcare etc.

I stayed in my clinical research role. But now thinking of moving on (no idea towards what), hence lurking on this board.

I've recently started a foundation degree in a health related subject )through work) - I have a degree from twenty years ago and loads of work experience but I'm still finding the academic side so challenging -I do think it's worth doing something before applying (and can now see why it's a requirement )or similar to get back into the academic way of working