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Mature study and retraining

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

Original poster

OU - studying for "fun"

30 replies

BookShark · 05/04/2023 22:38

Would really value opinions from people who have done this.

I'm contemplating an Open degree with the OU, probably something in the social sciences area. I'm in my 40s, have a well-paid professional job so this wouldn't be to retrain, more just for personal interest and sense of achievement.

DD is at secondary so childcare isn't really an issue, although obviously there's everything that comes with general family life to contend with, plus a full-time job. Am I crazy to think I can do this and enjoy it, or is it just a stupid idea and better to wait until I'm retired and don't have to juggle work?

I'd probably go down the certificate, then diploma, then degree route, so at least I can drop out and still have something to show for it, but even so, it feels like a pretty big commitment on paper.

Thanks for any advice!

OP posts:
Me20176 · 05/04/2023 22:44

I studied with the OU and managed to fit in all the reading on my hour long commute (both ways) plus reading through my lunch break, five days per week. Didn’t do any studying on weekends unless an assignment was due - in which case I’d carve out two weekends to get it done. Also stayed late at work some evenings to work on assignments but I was aiming for high grades and would suggest you could put in a bit less effort if mostly doing it for the enjoyment factor. It IS a big commitment but entirely do-able if you can identify where you will find the time.

Me20176 · 05/04/2023 22:47

Just to add, I’d study with the OU again in a heartbeat if I could afford it. I’d love to do a psychology degree purely for the enjoyment of it.

Oooiwanna · 05/04/2023 22:53

I was thinking the exact same thing earlier today! I’m in my 40s with a professional career but there are a number of other areas that I’ve always been I interested in that I’d like to know more about. I also love research and studying. I think I’ll start with some free webinars and go from there. I certainly don’t think it’s a bad idea at all! Go for it!

Schmutter · 05/04/2023 22:53

I did a ‘just for fun degree’ with OU - art history.

I worked pt at the time as my kids were very young. Found it easy in terms of commitment. Can’t say I put a huge amount of effort in but got a 2:1. Very different to my undergrad degree at uni, where I felt I worked really hard.

BigFatLiar · 05/04/2023 22:54

Me20176 · 05/04/2023 22:47

Just to add, I’d study with the OU again in a heartbeat if I could afford it. I’d love to do a psychology degree purely for the enjoyment of it.

Agreed, I'd do some studying as well. When it started it was providing access to higher education for those who had couldn't or didn't want to go to a normal uni or poly. The costs were reasonable and most could afford the courses. These days it doesn't seem to be much different in costs from a mainstream uni so not really something you can dip into out if interest.

Original poster
BookShark · 05/04/2023 23:52

Hmm, so maybe it is do-able. I'd say cost is an irritation rather than a limitation if that makes sense - I can afford it, but not to the extent that I can throw money at it without questioning if it's worth it.

@Me20176 I think your comment about finding time is the bit that I'm trying to get my head around. I drive to work, so can't really study then, but if I challenge myself, there's a lot of my evenings that could be dedicated to studying rather than watching TV/crochet/cross stitch, it's just whether I can motivate myself to do it. But if I compare it to work, I always get everything done, even if it means working late, so I suspect that could carry forward to this.

But then as @Schmutter says, I'm trying to compare to my undergrad degree of many years ago, which was genuinely full time although DH will point out that it was an arts degree and my lectures were only a fraction of his study time. I don't want to assume OU is easier, but maybe trying to compare it to my undergraduate degree isn't the right comparison, especially if it's part time.

I'm tempted to just say sod it, if I waste a year's fees, so be irt. I just hope the motivation of the assessments is enough to keep me going!

And thanks, it's really useful to hear from others.

OP posts:
Edmontine · 13/04/2023 06:17

But if you already have a degree, why not begin on an MA course?

StuntNun · 13/04/2023 06:45

I completed an OU Bachelors in Mathematics while I was working full time. I started when my first child was 1 and finished when my second child was 5! I studied some evenings and one day at the weekend. It ended up taking a extra year because I was struggling with work+young kids+studying at one point so I split one year's courses over two years, i.e. I did one 30-credit course each year instead of taking them both in the same year.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 13/04/2023 06:55

I have studies twice with the OU. Once for work and once for fun/personal interest. The fee changes were just coming in as I finished

I found it all manageable if you stuck to the timetable. There’s a steady rhythm of reading, online work, tutorials, assignments and feedback. Whenever I seemed to be running out of steam something would pop up to keep me motivated.

Hope you enjoy OP!

Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 13/04/2023 06:57

I did my OU degree for fun (Health Sciences) over 10 years! That’s the great thing about the OU, you don’t have to commit to it all up front. I think the idea to go with a certificate at first is a great one; you get to try it out without too much commitment and can then decide if you want to carry on.

i took time out for getting married and having a baby. I would say that having a supportive partner is critical. For assignments and exam time it was helpful to have DH take DS out for the weekend so that I could focus.

i really enjoyed my degree and am considering doing another one. Although it started out for fun I got competitive with myself and put in the extra effort needed to get a first. Was a great feeling when the result came through!

Goatsanddogs · 13/04/2023 07:02

I am currently doing a Degree for fun (keeping brain active). I am 58 and on my second year. I love it, I can fit study in whenever I have free time. Listen to audio material while I am ironing…walking the dogs etc.

If you are unsure there are lots of Open Learn courses that are free and some take longer than others. Maybe choose one that requires a lot of commitment and see how you manage.

Ivchangedmynameforthis · 13/04/2023 07:10

I did a OU degree for fun. I did BA childhood and Youth. I worked part time with young kids and needed to keep my brain active. I really enjoyed it. An expensive hobby though.

TitInATrance · 13/04/2023 07:13

I did exactly this, but with younger children who kept me at home most evenings. I enjoyed it and found it do-able. It’s boosted my self-esteem as I was one of the few in my department with no post-16 qualifications, but was totally useless in my career.

I’ve always viewed it as a positive. Now 20 years after beginning study I wonder why I couldn’t have cut myself some slack and picked a more relaxing hobby. I certainly wouldn’t have time to do another degree now I’m retired- my time is full.

greyhairnomore · 13/04/2023 07:14

I'd love to , but just too expensive. I don't qualify for any help , maybe when I've retired.

Random789 · 13/04/2023 07:23

I studied a creative writing module "for fun" and I found it incredibly poor value for money. My feeling is that the pricing is based, not on the services and resources you actually get while studying, but on the market value of a degree. If the qualification is not what matters to you, you are paying ££££ for (in my case) access to online libraries, a not very impressive student study forum and the occasional marking services of tutors.
Felt a bit ripped off tbh

FinallyHere · 13/04/2023 10:44

If you find something that really, really interests you, I would absolutely encourage you to do it.

Even your driving time can be put to good use, for revision and to test yourself to see everything you remember about a topic and spot the areas which elude you.

Full disclosure, I studied much, much more for the courses I did when I paid myself than I ever did at school and first degree. When you get, I felt I was winning if I could pass doing minimum work. Once I picked things myself, I would turn up on the first day already having read everything on the reading list.

As PP has pointed out, it's important to really do your research on choosing a course, to get the best possible idea on how it will suit you. Pick a good one and you get lots of support from staff and your fellow students.

Enjoy.

Londontrees · 13/04/2023 10:53

I am an OU student doing my last module. I'm retired and doing it for fun (and just to prove to myself that I can do it). It doesn't cost anything as it is my first degree. I found the level 1 modules needed very little time commitment. Once at level 2 the workload increased a lot, though it varies with different modules.
I mostly study in the evenings instead of watching the TV or reading.
I recommend it. You can always do one module and see how it goes.

BareBelliedSneetch · 13/04/2023 10:55

I’ve done two OU degrees. First was a Masters for work, around full time work. It was fine.

second was a “just for fun” BSc, which has ended up changing my career 🤣

BareBelliedSneetch · 13/04/2023 10:55

And I would totally do it again if I could afford it. And may well do once the children are older.

SeldomHuman · 13/04/2023 10:58

I'm doing an MA at a local uni for fun and if you love learning things I'd say go for it! I finished off my undergrad through OU over ten years ago now. I don't know if it's changed but it was easier than being at university in that they gave you all the resources, I never had to access a library at all to get 2:1 results. I have an Open degree as I chose what modules I wanted and because of that I've retained a lot of knowledge so in some ways I feel better educated despite it being "easier".

Obviously if you have a full life there's going to be an amount of extra stress and if it's been a while since you've studied it takes some time to get back into it. But soooo fulfilling!

Though, like has been mentioned above, as you already have a degree, why not take a look at an MA. Mine is part time, it's a lot of work even so, but it's so fulfilling!

CheeseLouisePlease · 13/04/2023 10:59

I’ve just priced it up, no chance!

Edmontine · 13/04/2023 11:00

What, @CheeseLouisePlease ?

CheeseLouisePlease · 13/04/2023 11:08

I’ve just priced up doing an OU degree! £20k seems out of my budget for fun.

ExtremelyDetermined · 13/04/2023 14:13

I started doing this (finished the Cert and did half of the second year Open), in a mixture of social and biological sciences. I loved it, but just doing it for fun it was hard to justify the time it took - my DCs were older primary/early secondary school age. It was hard to study in the evenings as the DCs were up till 9ish and starting to do more and more evening and weekend activities, and at that stage ultimately I wanted to spend my free time with them and not studying (it was of no benefit to my career). I was on the old transitional funding which was MUCH cheaper than it is now, no finance for me as I already have a degree. My module credits still stand I think, but I would be on full fees now. I still like to think I'll go back and finish it one day but it might have to wait a few more years.

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