Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mature study and retraining

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

Original poster

I have two modules of an OU degree behind me

37 replies

bluebeardswife7 · 14/06/2023 15:56

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)

OP posts:
sashh · 17/06/2023 06:21

Tenegrief · 16/06/2023 22:58

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.

Full time is four units a year not two.

lastminutetutor · 17/06/2023 07:05

sashh · 17/06/2023 06:21

Full time is four units a year not two.

Show quote history

That depends on the weighting of the modules sashh. On the psychology pathway it would be two modules of 60 credits.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 17/06/2023 07:13

I'm in year 4 of 6 with the OU and don't understand why you failed with a mark of 70. The pass mark to progress to the next year is 40.

There is no right or wrong answer, but I would stick with OU.

Tenegrief · 17/06/2023 07:34

@sashh I did my OU literature degree ages ago (finished in 2011) and it was 2 60 point modules a year for full time. Might have changed since then though.

clopper · 17/06/2023 07:39

My DD is at uni now ( not the one you are planning for) and to be honest the lack of lectures and general contact time is dire and they have been heavily impacted by strikes and now the no marking action. I have done both ( OU as an adult) and would definitely chose OU in your position. Much more organised, great materials, contact with tutors, clear deadlines and activities to engage with.

Dogsitterwoes · 17/06/2023 07:52

If quickly building the best possible pension on a new career is the priority for you, get looking at public sector roles, and explore entry level with training, or apprenticeship so you are in and earning ASAP.

lastminutetutor · 17/06/2023 07:54

@OneRingToRuleThemAll it is not that OP has failed, over 70 is a good mark, equivalent to a 2.1, however for whatever reason UEA are not considering the first year in the OU as equivalent to their first year so are not transfering the course credits.

It might be worth pushing back with UEA. The modules taken are part of a BPS accredited psychology degree so although there may be some differences it should not affect accreditation. Maybe enquire whether they accept transfers from other universities, perhaps it is a space issue. See whether anyone higher up can review the situation.

sashh · 18/06/2023 05:37

Sorry I forgot some modules are 60 credits.

Boofay · 18/06/2023 05:54

I'm currently studying full time with the OU. Just completed year two (E232 and KE206 - childhood and youth studies degree). Due to start EK313 and KE322 this autumn. I love the OU, so much flexibility around work and life. I am sad I missed out on the brick uni experience but I'm so thankful that OU is an option for those of us who need to fit studying around our lives.
I'm with the others that suggest sticking with the OU. Also, the OU's CES is great. I've had a one to one video session with them and they gave me lots of useful career advice.
Good luck in whatever you choose!

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 18/06/2023 06:49

elderflowerandpomelo · 14/06/2023 16:23

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?

This.

Plus I have studied there lately and found that while the quality of teaching was generally high, organisation and communication was utterly woeful, and working FT while studying, I needed it to be better

Original poster
bluebeardswife7 · 19/06/2023 16:43

Thank you everyone. I have decided to do two modules next year with the OU as I will be living in my mum's house so life will be a bit easier. I will probably have to work more hours after that so I will do the last two modules one per year and look for a caring role to work part time alongside to get relevant experience. I will also keep looking at apprenticeships to find a role that way. You have all been brilliant.

OP posts:
swanling · 19/06/2023 20:29

That sounds like a good plan. I hope it goes well.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page