Access course or straight into Open University

[MrsWhites]

I’m a stay at home mum looking to get back into work within the next few years but having been out of the workplace for a number of years now I would like to use this time as an opportunity to get a degree, I would need to do this part time around my children so am thinking about the OU.

I’m almost 40 so have been out of education for a long time but was quite academic during school/college.

If anyone has any experience, would you jump straight into the OU or do an online access course through a local college (although not exactly in the area that I am looking for my degree).

Thanks everyone!

I think it partly depends what degree you are planning to take and your current ability to read academic level books and write in an academic style. It also depends on how long you plan to take completing your degree/ how many hours a week you are devoting to studies.

If you are planning to take maths for example you probably would want to brush up on it first as it is a skill which you quickly forget. An essay based subject even the level one (first year modules) will be teaching key skills such as reading and note taking, writing in an academic style, PEEL paragraphs, referencing.

I think if you have seven years to complete your degree then an access course can give you a good grounding in these skills and you might enjoy the later study more, especially if you have not done any study beyond GCSEs. If you want to complete your degree sooner then I would start level one and ensure that you allocate two years to your final two modules. As long as you plan to spend the full 15-17 hours a week on each module then a level one course should be accessible to someone with a good academic record in school.

The OU do general courses like the Arts or Science foundation as the first module covering a
range of topics (at least they used to). I would jump straight in.

Thank you both.

Lots to think about, having read the modules and course content it does seem that the first year of the OU course is very much a foundation year to build basic knowledge and study skills.

Looking at something like social sciences as i’m unsure of what I want to do in terms of job roles - doesn’t seem too academically heavy but I totally get where you are coming from @lastminutetutor - if it was a really specific degree like maths/physics etc I would absolutely want to brush up on them first.

Will look into it a little more but as it stands I don’t think it makes much sense to add another year when I will be taking 6 years to do the degree part time already.

I’d just start with the first year modules, not with an access course, if you were fairly academic at school.

The Level 1 module is basically the equivalent of an access course so I would jump straight in. I did a Social Science degree with the OU and it was a great experience. Good luck!

I did several first and second year modules in social sciences a few years ago with no background in essay based subjects whatsoever and it was fine (I already had a science degree but very little essay writing experience in that and science A levels likewise).

That you everyone - your comments about the first year modules have made me feel more confident!

Current OU student and I think jump in. If you can prep a bit beforehand and/ or start a few weeks early will help you.

Best of luck!

I went straight in to 2nd year st 40 (I had some ancient 1st yr credits from another uni) was fine.
It's worth looking at the free short courses on line to get you in the swing of things.

Remember that OU is designed for people with no qualifications at all, so the level 1 courses are very basic and metaphorically give you a handhold throughout, so I would jump straight in there and not waste time with an access. I had a great OU experience, much better than my red brick one!

Thank you for your replies everyone.

You’ve all confirmed what I thought and will jump straight in without the access course!

Just in case this interests you:

It asks for A levels CCC but you could find out if it's possible to transfer after enough OU credits - if you could work the hours around the kids at a later stage?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-social-research-degree-apprenticeship-programme

Government Social Research Degree Apprenticeship Programme
The GSRDAP is a four-year apprenticeship programme which offers a first of its kind opportunity to gain real working experience while studying for an undergraduate degree.

The Civil Service offers a range of paid apprenticeships at different levels.

Best of luck with your next steps!