I have two modules of an OU degree behind me

[bluebeardswife7]

So should take me another four years. I have to move in with my mother anyway, so I decided to explore full time studies. I have been offered a place at UEA, BUT, I will have to retake year 1. Student finance have agreed funding in principle. What shall I do? Pros. Still less time than OU, exciting new adventure. Cons. More debt, might not be as much of as an adventure as I think, oldest swinger in town etc (I am 51)

Some questions you might have already explored...
Can you work while you study? I managed to work a full time professional job around my full time degree as a mature student up until the third year, so didn't take full student loans.
Is your degree being offered as an accelerated(?) degree? So 2 years over 3?
Have you spoken to UEAv to see how they can support you as a mature student?

I will work part time (as I already am doing). I also have care of my son and need to spend time with my mum (much easier when I live there). I will still need pretty much any loans going though.

I don't know what kind of support UEA offer for a mature student. Last week I hadn't looked passed OU so this is all new. I am quite taken with the idea of actually going to university though.

UEA is going through the most enormous upheaval just now. They are in absolutely dire financial straits, and although they've been generally excellent at teaching, teaching is one of the first things to go when money gets tight.

A few of things:
Can't you transfer your module credit to UEA?
How come it'll take you longer to finish w the OU than w UEA? Could you study faster w the OU?
Will you be able to find work in Norwich easily?

No, despite the fact I have high 70's in my module results it wasn't enough to transfer at year 2. This makes me anxious about how good my degree is. I suppose I could do OU full time, but they seem to encourage part time, plus there are no subsistence loans with the OU so I would need to work more hours. I already live and work in Norwich. My job is part time and very flexible, but min wage. Hence the retraining.

Any other words of wisdom from the evening crowd??

What was the reason you would have to repeat the year? I personally wouldn't be happy to junk two years of studying to start over.

The OU encourage part time in first instance because most people doing an OU degree don't have time for full time study - but the pull of 3 years vs 6 years can lead people astray.

But OU do have a calculator on their website to plot how much time you genuinely have available to study. If it comes out as enough for full time, it says so.

What field are you retraining in? Is this a professionally accredited degree? One to apply for grad roles anywhere?

https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/do-it/finding-time

This repeats that full time is an option.

I'm not sure why I have to repeat. My marks are fine, I got a distinction on my access course. Maybe because my first module was sdk100 science and health. Which was an option with OU

I am sure it could be done full time with the OU. But I wouldn't get a maintenance loan, or the work part of UC so I wouldn't be able to afford it. Plus it would mean studying full time in my bedroom which might sap my motivation pretty quickly

I'd stick with the OU but change to full time. I did my degree through the OU full time (2 modules per year rather than 1) while working full time. First and second year were absolutely fine, third year took a bit more time management but totally doable. The OU calculator massively over estimates how much time you need to dedicate to the module.

I guess it comes down to whether you just want the degree to get the qualifications or if you want to have a more enjoyable social experience. I say this as a now 46 year old who started my degree at 42 after not doing any academic study for over 20 years and also not the most academic person. I just put my head down and got on with it, very pleased I'm on the other side now though!

My other ideas are to carry on with my psychology degree part time and find some vocational experience I could do alongside.

Basically, I am 51 with no pension to speak of and an awareness that I will have to work until I drop. I'm currently working part time at Primark but if I have to work until I'm 70 I want to do it sat down in an office and do something more challenging.

What is it that you are wanting to retrain in? For me age was a very big factor, I didn't want to 'waste' time doing it in 6 years when I could do it in 3.

I don't know. Something in well-being/mental health that I can make a living in and build a pension.

I would maybe focus on the desired outcome.

What degree are you doing now? And what are you considering transfering to / starting over with?

If I was going to start over, I'd want it to be in something with clearly defined career paths (based on what you've said).

Part of what you should ideally be doing during a degree course is positioning yourself for whatever career/jobs you want afterwards. Eg internships, networking, career skills etc.

Mental health social worker?

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/social-worker

Occupational therapist?

Support worker?

I'm currently doing psychology with counselling but would do straight psychology at UEA. My original plan was to be a counsellor but I want a steady job. At the moment my short term plan is get a degree, work on my skills look around for a career path I might enjoy.

Is there a shortage of counselors? All the ones I know have a full workload

Mature apprenticeship?
apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/apprenticeships/clinical-associate-in-psychology-apprenticeship/

I would stick with the OU for 2 more modules and then transfer to the uni.

I'm currently doing a second degree with the OU, 3 modules done, well 2 passed, one I have ext circs for so will need to resit in September.

Ask UAE what you would need to transfer to the second year.

I've been to a few universities, all as a mature student and the OU have had the best support, I have a few health problems as well as dyslexia.

Good morning, thanks for all the advice so far. Plenty to think about here. I am at work today, but tomorrow morning I have booked in some time to do some proper research. Any more insights very much welcome.

If you want to go straight into a career is a psychology course the best option for you? Would a degree that led directly to a job be better? Social work, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, teaching all spring to mind. Everyone seems to have a psychology degree these days and whilst it undoubtedly has transferable skills, few make it as an actual psychologist. Counselling also takes years of extra study I believe? I've also done OU modules (x4) and whilst they helped get me into a brick Uni they certainly weren't considered for letting me skip a year. The course consent between first year psychology and the science in health care module for example will be very different. I'm now in a brick Uni and loving it, so don't let having to do the whole 3 years put you off. The time goes so quick.

I second (third? ) the suggestion to stick with the OU but do it at the full time pace (ie two modules a year). I did my degree while working full time and started with just one module, because that is what they suggested but I got impatient and doubled up on courses from the second year onwards. It was perfectly manageable.

If you were starting from scratch I could totally see the benefits of going to a brick uni but, in your circumstances, I personally couldn't deal with losing the work I'd already done.

Well done on completing the first year. I would contact the OU careers advisors first, it is free (there is a link on student home) and have a chat with them about your career plans and different pathways. That will help you to know which degree to take whether at UEA or the OU. Although the credits should be transferrable because both are accredited by the BPS perhaps there is a difference in the content covered at level one. Having a discussion with the careers service will help you to clarify whether a psychology degree is needed for your career goals, if not there might be a different degree at UEA which might accept your course credits.

Remember that a job as a chartered psychologist will generally require another few years training on top of your undergraduate degree, so you might consider other roles which are easier to get into if faster career progression is important to you.

Although other posters are right if continuing with the OU, you can take two modules, level two modules are more intensive and time consuming than level one. Level three is more intensive again. At level two if one of your modules drops a little then it is not a disaster but at level three your grades count more towards your final degree grade so I would instead take one level three module a year and get relevant work experience in the field you want to work in going forward. For example see if you can get a caring role somewhere and do that part time alongside one level three module. Good luck.